Pedestrian safety

When drivers fail to yield, pedestrians pay the price. Busy intersections and shorter days mean that drivers need to be extra careful during fall and winter.

As the weather changes and daylight hours decrease, pedestrians become more vulnerable. Nearly half (43%) of crashes involving pedestrians happen between October and January.

In B.C., approximately 78 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians happen at intersections. Whether it’s avoiding distractions or yielding the right-of-way, we all need to do our part to keep pedestrians safe..

Tips for drivers

• Focus on the road. Always leave your phone alone while driving.
• Look for pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections, crosswalks and near transit stops.
• Reduce your speed in areas with pedestrians. The simple act can help lower the chance of pedestrian injuries or even fatalities.
• Be realistic about your travel time. Leave earlier to accommodate traffic and other unexpected hold ups so you can take your time looking for pedestrians.
• Prepare your vehicle for bad weather: make sure your headlights are working, tires are properly inflated, wiper blades are functioning properly, and your wiper fluid is topped up.

Tips for safe walking

• Be careful at intersections. Watch for drivers turning left or right through the crosswalk. Drivers may be focused on oncoming traffic and not see you.
• Always use crosswalks and follow the pedestrian signs and traffic signals.
• Always cross at designated crosswalks and follow pedestrian signs and traffic signals. Scan your surroundings before crossing to ensure it’s safe and that traffic has come to a complete stop.​
• Make eye contact with drivers, as it’s hard to see pedestrians when visibility is poor in fall and winter. Never assume that a driver has seen you.
• Remove your headphones and take a break from your phone while crossing the road.
• Wear reflectors to make it easier for drivers to see you in rain, snow, at dusk and at night.