Drivers reminded to be aware after child struck in crosswalk

By Gillian Slade on September 14, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com  @MHNGillianSlade

A young cyclist was involved in an accident on his way to school Wednesday morning at the intersection of Division Avenue and Sixth Street SE near Safeway on the Southeast Hill.

A 12-year-old boy was riding his bicycle in the pedestrian crosswalk when he came in contact with a vehicle turning the corner, said Const. Darren Holeha of the Medicine Hat Police Service.

EMS responded to the scene along with police. There were no injuries that required medical attention, said Holeha. The boy was wearing a helmet and the driver of the vehicle was going very slowly, minimizing the impact.

According to by-law, in order to be considered a pedestrian, a cyclist must be pushing his/her bike rather than riding it in a crosswalk, said Holeha.

“We encourage all drivers, with the young kids going back to school, just to be wary of their driving and watch for kids whether they be at crosswalks or sidewalks and for kids to be wearing a helmet when they are on their bikes,” said Holeha.

In the case of the accident Wednesday, charges are pending against the driver of the vehicle for failure to yield, said Holeha. No charges are pending for the cyclist riding in the pedestrian crosswalk.

For those using a pedestrian crosswalk, even if the traffic lights are in your favour it is a good idea to check for traffic first in case a driver has not seen you, said Holeha. It is also a good idea for drivers to observe other traffic before proceeding on a green light.

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