Rules and Safety Tips for Pedestrians

When walking, specific rules and precautions must be followed to protect yourself and protect others on the road.

When it’s dark outside, wear light-coloured clothing or accessories with reflective strips to make yourself visible to other road users.

You must walk on the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk or if using the sidewalk isn’t practical, walk on the side of the road or on the shoulder in the opposite direction of the traffic.

However, you can walk in the same direction as the traffic if it allows you to:

• not cross the road repeatedly over a short distance;
• walk on the side of the road that has lighting; or
• walk on the side where the shoulder is wider.

Roads must be crossed at intersections or crosswalks, if possible. If there aren’t any, you must give the right of way to vehicles and cyclists.

When crossing the roadway at an intersection, you must follow the indications of the pedestrian light. If there isn’t one, the regular traffic lights must be followed.

You must act differently depending on the indications provided by the light:

• If there’s a stationary white silhouette of a pedestrian, you can engage and cross the road.
• If you are already engaged and the pedestrian light is flashing (flashing hand), you must walk faster to reach the sidewalk on the other side.
• If the pedestrian light is flashing and there is a numerical countdown, you must only engage if you feel you can reach the opposite side of the street before the countdown is complete.
• If a fixed hand appears, don’t cross the road.

At all times, the roadway must be crossed as directly as possible, unless a sign, crossing guard or peace officer allows you to do otherwise.

Here are some tips to keep you safe when crossing a road on foot:

• Watch for traffic, even at traffic lights, to make sure drivers stop on time and respect your right of way.
• Avoid crossing between parked vehicles.
• Make eye contact with vehicle drivers before crossing.
• Stop before entering an intersection.
• Look left, ahead, right, and then over your left shoulder to make sure no vehicles are about to enter an intersection, even when you have the right of way.