Charlotte Police Team With Ikea, AAA On Pedestrian Safety

CHARLOTTE, NC -- Charlotte Police are teaming up with Ikea Charlotte and AAA Carolinas Wednesday morning, promoting pedestrian safety in an area of the city where two pedestrians have been killed by vehicles in the last two months.

Ikea will be distributing child and adult-sized safety vests and reflective belt clips at the public awareness event at Eastway Crossing Shopping Center at Eastway Drive and Central Avenue. AAA Carolinas will also be giving out reflective wristbands, zipper pulls and shoe tags as part of it’s “Be Seen” campaign.

The public awareness campaign comes as the Charlotte-metro region continues to grapple with pedestrian deaths. Saturday night, 41-year-old Tiffany Monique Ray was hit and killed by an SUV as she crossed The Plaza in Plaza-Midwood. According to police, she was wearing dark clothing and crossing outside of a crosswalk at the time of the Feb. 17 accident.

Last year, 28 pedestrians were killed by cars, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department data. Statewide, about 3,000 pedestrians and 850 bicyclists were hit by cars in 2017, according to CMPD.

“With pedestrian deaths at their highest nationwide since 1990, we want to educate and offer safety solutions,” said AAA Carolinas spokesperson Tiffany Wright.

The Feb. 21 event is scheduled to run at the Eastway Crossing Shopping Center from 9 a.m. - noon.

Photo via Shutterstock