Traffic safety tips
October’s traffic safety focus is Pedestrian Safety.
In 2024, 13 pedestrians were killed on Calgary’s roads. Roughly 46 per cent of those deaths happened in crosswalks and the same percentage happened between 5 and 8 p.m. About 62 per cent of pedestrians in these incidents crossed without the right of way.
Most pedestrian collisions happen when we’re rushing to work, school, an activity or home. Peak rush hours are generally from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Remember, weather conditions and daylight changes in the fall make it harder for people to see, whether they’re driving, walking or wheeling.
Who has the right-of-way?
Pedestrians have the right of way at a crosswalk. This means that even if the crosswalk is unmarked (usually defined as the continuation of an existing sidewalk across a road at an intersection) vehicles must yield to pedestrians. However, as a pedestrian you’re still responsible for exercising due care and making sure all vehicles have stopped before entering the crosswalk.
Remember, jaywalking (crossing a roadway outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk) is unsafe and illegal.
Share the road safely and look out for each other
People who drive or ride
- When driving or cycling, always be ready in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves.
- Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk
- Pay special attention to pedestrians when turning
- Slow down if you’re having trouble seeing due to sun glare
- Don’t drive or ride distracted – put your device away and focus on getting there safely
- Watch for children. Drive slowly and cautiously through school/playground zones, residential areas or any other area where children could be walking or playing.
- Be patient – especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need more time to cross the road
- Drive carefully near bus stops and be aware of flashing lights and crossing arms near CTrain stops
People who walk or wheel
- As a pedestrian, don’t assume that the people driving see you. When waiting to cross a road, make sure cars have come to a stop before proceeding. Make eye contact and wave. Remember:
- Don’t walk distracted. Keep your head up and avoid looking at your phone or device when crossing roadways.
- Whenever possible, walk on the sidewalk. If there’s no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
- When walking to CTrain stations, look both ways for trains when crossing the tracks and obey all traffic signals
- Use Point, Pause, Proceed to let drivers know you’re entering a crosswalk and try to make eye contact
- Hold out your arm and point across the street where you intend to cross
- Pause and look both ways to make sure it is safe before you enter the crosswalk
- Once safe, proceed to cross the crosswalk
Teach our children
It’s important to teach children at an early age how to safely cross the street. Take time together to practice the following safe crossing skills to help them learn how to navigate our streets safely.
- Teach the Point, Pause, Proceed method outlined above; then remind them to continue looking left and right until safely across the street
- Remind kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars – even for their favourite toy
- Help kids to identify and understand car turn signals and back up lights. Encourage them to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. This is a particularly important message to reinforce with teenagers.