Pedestrian safety

The white walking symbol indicates that it is safe for an individual to begin crossing the road. You may enter the intersection whenever the walk signal is showing.

The pedestrian don’t walk indicator, which is sometimes combined with a countdown timer, means that a pedestrian must not begin crossing the road. If you have entered the intersection before the flashing started, you will have enough time to safely complete your crossing before the “don’t walk” phase.

Countdown signals show a numerical countdown so you can see how much time you have left to safely cross the street. The City installs these at locations with a high volume of pedestrians.

As part of our commitment to Vision Zero, in 2021 staff will be updating the flashing/countdown phase approximately 800 intersections to give you more time to safely cross the street before the don’t walk phase ends.

When the “don’t walk” indicator is illuminated pedestrians should not enter the intersection to cross the street. The length of the “don’t walk” phase is a custom calculation for each signal.

Push the button to indicate to the signal that you are waiting to cross the road. The button only needs to be pushed once to trigger the walk phase.

Accessible or audible pedestrian signals help individuals who are blind or visually impaired to cross the road safely. In North America, these signals indicate north south crossings with a cuckoo sound, and east west crossings with a peeping (or Canadian Melody) sound.

• Be seen, follow pedestrian safety signals and be aware
• Stop, look, and listen before crossing the road, even when it is your turn to cross
• Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you before you proceed
• Avoid distractions like texting, talking on your cellphone and wearing headphones when crossing the street
• After dark, drivers cannot see people in dark clothing until it is too late. Be bright at night; wear reflective materials or lights when walking (and cycling) at night, dawn and dusk.
• Jaywalking can be dangerous; cross at pedestrian crossings

• Look for pedestrians, especially when turning left or right. Don’t just look in front of you. Check the entire crosswalk for pedestrian and cyclists.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk
• Do not use handheld electronic devices (texting or talking) or other distractions such as eating and drinking when driving. Give the road your full attention.
• Pedestrians are hard to see at night, dawn and dusk. Be extra vigilant.
• With the end of daylight savings time the commute home will shift to dusk. Be sure to be extra aware of your surroundings as it gets darker.
• Drive within the posted speed limits and follow all traffic signs and signals
• Be aware and follow slower speed limits in school zones and in neighbourhoods where children are present and sometimes unpredictable
• Adjust your driving according to weather and traffic conditions
• Keep your windshield clean and clear and your headlights on so you can better see pedestrians and they can better see you
• Never assume a pedestrian has seen you! Always make eye contact and confirm with pedestrians that they know you’re yielding the right of way or turning.
• Always look before you back up and check all around your vehicle for pedestrians before you go. Check your mirrors and be especially careful in driveways and parking lots.
• Be more cautious near transit stops and stations. They are locations of high pedestrian activity that can be unpredictable.
• Look before opening your door for pedestrians that may be walking in the street or on the sidewalk

If you’re a pedestrian or a cyclist crossing the road:

• If the crossover has lights, push the button to activate the lights so drivers know you want to cross
• Make eye contact with drivers so they see you before you cross
• Make sure all vehicles have stopped before you cross
• Walk your bike across the road

If you’re a driver or cyclist approaching a crossover:

• Slow down and look for pedestrians
• Stop at the painted white triangles
• Wait for all pedestrians to cross the road completely
• Don’t pass other stopped vehicles

Drivers must come to a full stop at crossovers to allow pedestrians to cross safely. If you do not stop completely for pedestrians at a crossover, you can be fined up to $1000 and issued four demerit points on your driver’s licence. For more information, contact the Ministry of Transportation.