Pedestrian Safety

Ensuring our roads are safe is a shared responsibility between drivers and pedestrians. As the days get shorter and we have less daylight, it's even more important that pedestrians take steps to make sure they are seen by drivers 

Pedestrians include individuals travelling on foot (i.e. walking, running) or in/on mobility aids (i.e. wheelchairs). A person riding a bicycle or e-scooter is not considered a pedestrian.

Unfortunately, Lethbridge has seen its share of pedestrian-involved collisions in the last few years, some of them resulting in serious injuries or death. Recently, Calgary recorded 15 pedestrian deaths with 131 major injuries, and that number is rising according to province wide statistics.  

With the introduction of electronic devices into our world, the importance of making eye contact between the driver and the pedestrian is increasingly important. 

Tips to make sure you stand out as a pedestrian: 

• Always use crosswalks and pedestrian-activated signals when they're available. It's safer to cross at marked crosswalks or controlled intersections whenever possible.
  
  Crosswalks can be marked or unmarked.
  
  • Marked Crosswalk: Any part of a roadway that is distinctly marked by signs, lines, or any other marking on the road for pedestrian crossing.
  • Unmarked Crosswalk: The part of a roadway that connects 2 sidewalks, curbs, or edges of a road at an intersection where that roadway crosses another—think of an invisible line drawn corner to corner straight across the road. Unmarked crosswalks exist at all intersections unless a sign states otherwise.
  • Many intersections with traffic lights have crosswalks with pedestrian signals. When the ‘Walk’ signal is lit, pedestrians may enter the crosswalk. When the ‘Don’t Walk’ signal is lit or flashing, pedestrians must not enter the crosswalk and must clear the crosswalk immediately if already in it.
    
    
• Clearly signal your intent to cross the roadway. The Point, Pause and Proceed mnemonic may be a helpful reminder.
  
  • Point: Hold out your arm and point across the street where you intend to cross.
  • Pause: Look both ways to make sure it's safe before you enter the crosswalk.
  • Proceed: Once safe, proceed to cross the crosswalk.
    
    
• Make yourself more visible to drivers before you step onto the road by wearing light-coloured or reflective clothing.
  
  
• Consider the weather/environment before you cross the road. Drivers may have a difficult time seeing pedestrians when it is raining, snowing, foggy or when the sun is coming up or setting. Never assume the driver has seen you. You may want to carry a flashlight or flashing red light to increase your visibility.

Right of Way

• Pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk unless a peace officer or traffic control device directs otherwise. This means that even if the crosswalk is unmarked, vehicles must stop and yield to pedestrians. Drivers should make sure to watch for the elderly or people with disabilities who may take more time crossing. Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk will result in a $810 fine and 4 demerit points. However, as a pedestrian you are still responsible for exercising due care even though you have the right of way and you should make sure that all vehicles have yielded before entering the crosswalk.
  
  
• A pedestrian crossing a roadway outside a crosswalk must yield the right of way to vehicles. Some municipalities also have 'jaywalking' bylaws. If you cross the street outside a crosswalk in these municipalities, you could receive a fine.