Rules and safety tips for pedestrians

When walking, you should take certain precautions to protect yourself and others who are using the road.

When it’s dark outside, wear light-coloured clothing or accessories with reflective strips so other road users can easily see you.

Walk on sidewalks. 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 flow of traffic.

However, you can walk in the same direction as traffic if doing so ensures you:

• Don’t cross the road repeatedly over a short distance.
• Walk on the side of the road that has lighting.
• Walk on the side with the widest shoulder.

You should cross a road at an intersection or crosswalk, where possible. If there aren’t any, give the right of way to vehicles and cyclists.

When crossing a roadway at an intersection, follow the indications of the pedestrian light. If there isn’t one, follow the traffic lights.

You need to adapt how you act according to the traffic lights:

• A steady white pedestrian silhouette indicates that you may enter the intersection and cross the roadway.
• If you have already started to cross and the pedestrian light starts flashing (flashing hand), walk faster in order to reach the sidewalk on the opposite side.
• If the pedestrian light is flashing and there is a numerical countdown, you should only start crossing if you feel you can reach the opposite side before the countdown is complete.
• A steady hand means it’s too late to cross, so wait until the next walking pedestrian light.

At all times, you should cross the roadway 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 give you the 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.