You can't help but notice that the seasons are changing. 

The trees losing what colourful leaves they have left tells us that, as do the cooler, shorter days and the frosty, longer nights. 

With fewer hours of daylight comes more risk to pedestrians on roadways. During October, the Alberta RCMP wants to remind road users — motorists and pedestrians alike — of the importance of safety when it comes to foot traffic on streets and sidewalks.

In 2020, there were 192 pedestrian-involved collisions in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction.  Sixteen of those were fatalities.  The incidents occurred most commonly during the months of August and September and took place most frequently between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 pm. 

In an effort to minimize the risk to pedestrians, the Alberta RCMP are offering these tips for pedestrians and motorists:  

Pedestrians:

  • If you are crossing a roadway outside of a crosswalk, you must yield to vehicles.
  • Signal your intent to enter a crosswalk by extending an arm and pointing in the direction you would like to proceed. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.
  • Pedestrians should wear bright reflective clothing.
  • Do not cross a street in the middle of a block or between parked cars. If there are no crossing lights, wait until all vehicles have come to a complete stop before crossing (Government of Alberta, 2021).
  • Pedestrians should always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk available, walk off the road against the direction of traffic (Government of Alberta, 2021).
  • Walking with headphones in or while texting can make you less aware of your surroundings. Distracted walking is dangerous.

Motorists:

  • At both marked and unmarked crosswalks, vehicles must yield to pedestrians.
  • Working headlights are required of all drivers in order to see pedestrians, cyclists, and wildlife on the road.
  • Motorists approaching flashing crosswalk lights should slow to 30 km/h and yield to pedestrians signalling to cross. Look both ways to ensure pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk before proceeding.

Superintendent Gary Graham with Traffic Services for the Alberta RCMP says everyone has a role to play in traffic safety.  "Motorists and pedestrians should each do their part to share the road responsibly and to ensure everyone’s commutes – on foot or by vehicle – are safe.”

For more traffic safety information, follow the Alberta RCMP on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and Twitter @RCMPAlberta.