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Paramedics preach caution after woman struck by vehicle downtown

Jun 2, 2018 | 8:00 AM

Paramedics are reminding the public about basic safety following an incident in which a woman was struck by a vehicle on Central Ave. in downtown Prince Albert Thursday afternoon.

Parkland Ambulance Spokesperson Lyle Karasiuk said the incident seems to have happened when the woman, who was carrying things, stepped too far back into the traffic while getting into a vehicle. He said she was in good and stable condition in hospital, but the incident prompted Karasiuk to highlight what he calls “the huge problem of jaywalking” around the city.

“I know the shortest distance is the middle of the block, and your car may be parked in the middle of the block, but please do everyone a favour,” Karasiuk implored. “Use the marked or unmarked crosswalks. The traffic is expecting you to cross at the corners.”

Karasiuk said they don’t respond to a particularly high number of incidents in which pedestrians are struck by vehicles, but jaywalking seems to be a constant problem and there tends to be an uptick in the summer months as things get busier.

“The last couple of days this week, because we’re in a payday week and it’s heading into the weekend, there’s just more people and traffic about,” he said.

While there are obvious concerns about distracted driving, distracted walking can also be a safety issue, according to Karasiuk.

“We’ve seen pedestrians bump into each other, or walk into a fixed object like a parking meter or light standard, or walk across the street with their head down texting,” he said.

Karasiuk joked that this is the time of year when we should be paying extra attention to our surroundings and friends.

“Get out there, enjoy the weather, and walk with somebody. Put the cell phone in your purse or pocket and have a nice day.”

 

glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertNOW