At some point in your day, you will be a pedestrian or encounter one as a driver. On average, more than 40 pedestrians are killed and over 1,250 are injured each year in Alberta. We can all help reduce these numbers. Pay attention and follow these simple tips to keep our pedestrians safe.

Image of pedestrian texting with cars in the background

Tips for pedestrians

When you are a pedestrian, it is your job to make sure vehicles see you!

Point, pause, proceed:

  • Let the driver know your intention to cross the road.
  • Raise your arm at a right angle to your body and point in the direction you wish to walk.

Pay attention:

  • Make eye contact with drivers.
  • Remove headphones and other distractions.

Follow the rules:

  • Cross at intersections and clearly marked mid-block locations.
  • Abide by traffic signs and signals.

Be visible:

  • It is more difficult for drivers to see you in low light. Pay more attention during these times.

Rural pedestrians

Always wear bright or reflective clothing so drivers can see you.

In areas without sidewalks, pedestrians should always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. 

Tip! Always wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during dawn and dusk, so drivers can see you.


Tips for drivers

Stay alert:

  • Don't let other tasks distract you from driving.
  • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Every intersection is a crosswalk whether marked or unmarked.

Watch other vehicles:

  • If another vehicle is stopped or slowing in the lane next to yours, do not pass without checking for a pedestrian.

Slow down:

  • Always follow posted speed limit signs.
  • Slow down on residential streets and through school and playground zones. A pedestrian struck by a car travelling at 50 km/hr is 8x more likely to be killed than a pedestrian struck at 30 km/hr.

5% of pedestrians killed in a collision at 30 km/h. 55% of pedestrians killed in a collision at 50 km/h. 90% of pedestrians killed in a collision at 60 km/h.

It's the law! It is illegal to:

  • park on a crosswalk or within five metres of a marked crosswalk ($81 fine)
  • park within five metres from an intersection ($81 fine)
  • fail to yield to a pedestrian who is indicating their intention to cross at a crosswalk ($162)
  • fail to yield to a pedestrian who is in a crosswalk ($810 fine plus 5 demerit points)

Frequently Asked Questions

Further information:

RCMP and Enforcement Services
780-467-7741
911 Bison Way Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 1S9

Last updated: Friday, May 03, 2024
Page ID: 39133