‘Bell Bows’ honour North Okanagan traffic flagger; remind drivers to slow down

VERNON – You may have noticed orange bows adorning the backs of vehicles around Vernon lately.

They’re ‘Bell Bows’ in remembrance of Isabelle Bourroughs, 66, who died after being struck by a vehicle while on the job.

“We just wanted to make an impact on Isabelle’s behalf,” Traci Jeeves, with Okanagan Traffic Control, says.

Bourroughs was directing traffic on Highway 6, Nov. 17, 2017 when a 75-year-old driver hit her. Police said the driver was “unable to stop in in time.” RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett says a report was submitted to Crown Counsel by the North Okanagan Traffic Services and is currently being reviewed. 

After Bourroughs' death, co-workers started wearing bows on their lapels, Jeeves says, but they wanted to take the message further.

“We wanted to create a conversation. We thought by getting the bows out there on vehicles it would be seen by the masses,” Jeeves says.  

She’s been overwhelmed by the response.

“When this happened I was so afraid people were going to forget, but I cannot believe the amount of support we’ve had. So many people are asking for the bows,” Jeeves says. “We didn’t know how much it would take off.”

The first order of 100 magnetic bows was gone in just a few weeks, and Jeeves will soon be picking up another batch.

“The bow is a reminder to slow down in construction zones,” Jeeves says.

You can arrange to pick up a bow by contacting Jeeves at 250-546-8017 or by emailing okanagan_tcp@hotmail.com.

The bows are free, however donations are appreciated and will go towards making more. A donation from regional transit workers assisted with the printing of some of the first bows, Jeeves says.

“The demand for the bows has just been tremendous,” Jeeves says. “I’d like to get them on as many vehicles as possible.”

To contact a reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston or call 250-309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.