At some point in your day, you will be a pedestrian or encounter one as a driver. On average, more than 40 pedestrians are killed and over 1,250 are injured each year in Alberta. We can all help reduce these numbers. Pay attention and follow these simple tips to keep our pedestrians safe.
When you are a pedestrian, it is your job to make sure vehicles see you!
Point, pause, proceed:
Pay attention:
Follow the rules:
Be visible:
In areas without sidewalks, pedestrians should always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.Â
Tip! Always wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during dawn and dusk, so drivers can see you.
Stay alert:
Watch other vehicles:
Slow down:
It's the law! It is illegal to:
Pedestrians have the right-of-way wherever a crosswalk is present. A crosswalk exists at every intersection (i.e. corner) whether marked or unmarked.
However, a driver cannot be charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian, if the pedestrian does not clearly indicate their intention to cross the road. Do this by raising an arm approximately at right angles to your body and pointing in the direction you wish to walk.
At signalized intersections, the pedestrian has the right-of-way when indicated by the signal.
Pedestrians can help protect themselves by:
It is important to let the pedestrian reach the other side of the road (single lane road) or the meridian (double lane road).
On a two lane road, give pedestrians plenty of time to fully complete the crossing before entering the crosswalk.
On a multi-lane, divided road, a vehicle may enter the crosswalk on the opposite side of the road from a pedestrian.
There is a common perception that a marked crosswalk is safer than an unmarked crosswalk. Research shows this is often not the case.
Pedestrians may be more vulnerable in a marked crosswalk because they have an increased sense of security.
More information is available in Pedestrian Safety: A Road Safety Manual for Decision-Makers and Practitioners (2013, World Health Organization).
Crosswalks are marked according to the number of pedestrians and traffic at a location, with some consideration to other factors (eg. traffic speed). Where volumes are low, crosswalks are unmarked. Where more traffic control is needed, crosswalks are marked.
Pedestrian crosswalk marking is a method of encouraging pedestrians to use a particular crossing. Such marked crossings may not be as safe as an unmarked crossing at the same location. Therefore, crosswalks should be marked only where necessary for the guidance and control of pedestrians, to direct them to the safest of several potential routes and to advise drivers that they can expect significant numbers of pedestrians to use the marked crosswalks.
If you would like to request a location be reviewed for a crosswalk installation, contact Transportation Engineering and Operations.
Audible pedestrian devices make the pedestrian indications into audible sounds. These devices are installed at selected traffic signals frequented by visually-impaired persons. To activate the audible signal, you must push and hold the pushbutton for 4.0 seconds. The audible signals in Strathcona County use an internationally-recognized standard of bird sounds:
If you would like to request a location be considered for audible pedestrian signals, contact Transportation Engineering and Operations.
When walking in areas with no sidewalk, it is safest to walk at the edge of the road, facing traffic.
Pedestrian safety is for all ages.
On average, over 1/3 of pedestrians in fatal crashes and 15% in injury crashes had consumed alcohol prior to the collision.
Further information:
RCMP and Enforcement Services 780-467-7741 911 Bison Way Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1S9
Last updated: Friday, May 03, 2024 Page ID: 39133