Pedestrians hit in Dartmouth, Bedford

Two pedestrians were hit by vehicles in separateincidents last week, Halifax police say.

On Feb. 11, a 25-year-old man crossing Prince Albert Roadin a crosswalk near Portland Street was struck by a car turning right. It happened at 8:45 p.m.

No one was injured and the pedestrian and 17-year-old driver reportedthe incident to police the next day. Police are investigating, but have not laidcharges.

On Feb. 14, also at about 8:45 p.m., a woman left the main entrance of the Bedford Sobeysand was hit by a car. The driver, a 49-year-old man, contacted police.

The woman left before police arrived. Police don't think she was hurt.

"Road safety is a shared responsibility," saidConst. Pierre Bourdages.

"Motorists are reminded to slow down, pay attention and adjust their driving for the conditions. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, whether it is marked or not, and drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk."

Crosswalk safety committee

Halifax regional council's Crosswalk Safety Advisory Committee released areport this month. HRM should improve crosswalk safety through education and by improvingdata collection and use, it said.

It also recommended several traffic-control measures, including:

• Using zebra markings.
• Increasing painting maintenance.
• Approving the use of crosswalk flags where the community agrees to install and maintain them.

It also recommended convicted drivers shouldface stiffer points penalties and be required to takedefensive driving orpedestrian safety courses.