City Government

Crossing the Street Shouldn’t be Spooky

October 29, 2009

Pedestrians and drivers urged to be extra cautious as the days grow shorter

The City’s Office of Traffic Safety encourages drivers to keep an even closer eye out for pedestrians at this time of year, and not just because the streets will be filled with little ghosts and goblins on Saturday night for Hallowe’en celebrations.

“In the fall, the sun is low on the horizon and the glare can often make it difficult for drivers to see,” says Asif Iqbal, senior traffic safety engineer with the Office of Traffic Safety at the City of Edmonton. “While drivers need to be extra vigilant, pedestrians also need to be aware that should they cross against the signals or outside of a crosswalk, people behind the wheel may not be able to see them clearly enough to stop in time.”

Unfortunately, there has been an upwards trend in the number of pedestrian collisions – in 2008 there has been a 33 per cent increase over 2004 in the number of such incidents in our city. And collisions are most likely to occur during the weekday peak periods; 37.5 per cent occur between 6-9am and 3-6pm on weekdays.

“In 2008, there were 395 pedestrian collisions in our city, with a total of 404 pedestrians being struck,” says Iqbal. “Nine people were killed and the rest sustained injuries.”

Pedestrians should keep in mind the following when preparing to use marked, unmarked or pedestrian-activated crossings:

Don’t assume drivers see you and will stop. Always be cautious and watch for vehicles that are not stopping.
Be visible. Wear reflective clothing and carry a flashlight.
Pay attention. Remove headphones and put away cell phones or other electronic devices when crossing the street.

“Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility, one which both drivers and pedestrians must take seriously,” reminds Iqbal. “With just a little extra attention on behalf of everyone, we can reduce injuries and save lives.”

For more information:

Laura McNabb

Title	Communications
Telephone	780-496-2812 780-996-6298 (cell)

Asif Iqbal

Title	Traffic Safety
Telephone	780-496-1791