​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 of all crashes with pedestrians happen between October and January. Even when drivers proceed with caution, it's hard to see pedestrians when visibility is poor.

In B.C., approximately 80 per cent of crashes involving pedestrians happen at intersections. Whether it's taking a break from your phone 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.
  
• Be ready to yield to pedestrians, especially when turning at intersections and near transit stops.
  
• If a vehicle is stopped in front of you or in the lane next to you, they may be yielding for a pedestrian.
  
• Expect the unexpected, even mid-block, as pedestrians may not be crossing within a crosswalk. 
  

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.
• 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.
• Be as reflective as possible to make it easier for drivers to see you in wet weather, at dusk and at night.​