Safety Tips for Pedestrians and Drivers

Pedestrians:

• Enhance your visibility, especially after dark. Wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing, or attach a light or a reflective strip to your clothing.
• Stay alert. Watch out for drivers turning into an intersection from left and right. Try to make eye contact with all nearby drivers before stepping out onto the street.
• Don't assume a crosswalk or a green light at an intersection makes you safe. Ensure drivers see you before you step out from the curb.
• Especially if you know you may be slower in crossing a road, give yourself the most time to cross by waiting for a newly turned green or walk signal.
• Look left, right and left again before crossing the street, and be on the lookout for turning or backing vehicles.
• Keep scanning for vehicles as you cross.
• Hold your hand up or do whatever it takes to make yourself more visible to drivers.

Motorists:

• Stay alert. Don't be distracted by activities that take your mind off driving or your eyes off the road. Watch carefully for pedestrians when approaching any crosswalk or intersection.
• Ensure all pedestrians have cleared the road before proceeding.
• Take special care to watch for pedestrians or other vulnerable road users when making a left-hand turn.
• Watch especially carefully for the elderly or mobility-challenged. Recognize it may take them longer than average to complete a safe crossing.

^{source: BC Coroners' Office}