Walk like your life depends on it!

In 2008, one-third of Ottawa’s traffic fatalities involved a pedestrian. In over half of those cases, the pedestrian was at fault. Unfortunately, in traffic incidents that involve pedestrians and motorists, it is the pedestrian that suffers, often with tragic results.

Between 2004 and 2008, pedestrian-related injuries and deaths were recorded as follows:

• 1,487 injuries
• 181 life-altering injuries
• 32 deaths

Disregarding the rights of other road users endangers your safety and the safety of those around you, but it can also cost you. Here is a chart of some typical roadway infractions, and the hefty fines they carry.

When you are on the road, always be mindful of other pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Follow simple tips to ensure the safety of all road users.

The City of Ottawa has an extensive program to make streets safer for pedestrians, such measures include:

Audible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

APS use a combination of sounds to indicate which direction a pedestrian can cross the street safely. The APS draw the attention of pedestrians towards the signal and provide improved security for the visually impaired by allowing them greater mobility. There are currently 313 intersections in the City of Ottawa equipped with APS and this number increases every year.

Pedestrian Countdown Signal

The pedestrian countdown signal during the flashing ‘Don’t Walk’ interval offers pedestrians more information on how much time they have to safely cross the intersection. Research has shown that countdown signals lead to fewer pedestrian-car collisions at intersections by providing pedestrians and drivers clearer information on when the lights will change. The installation of the pedestrian countdown signal will be done when a new traffic control signal or pedestrian signal is being installed, when an existing traffic control signal or pedestrian signal is being rebuilt as part of a road construction project or through the creation of the Pedestrian Countdown Signal Installation Program. There are currently 23 intersections across the city equipped with pedestrian countdown signals.

The Pedestrian Plan

The City is currently producing a comprehensive Pedestrian Plan as part of the Transportation Master Plan to better integrate pedestrian travel into the transportation system.

School Zone Traffic Safety Program

Many children are walking and biking to school on our roads. However, younger children often lack the skills to negotiate traffic safely. Help them to walk - safely to school - by stressing the following safety rules.

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