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RoadSmart
Report | February, 2003
Respecting the rights of pedestrians
Most people don't consider taking a walk to be a potentially dangerous activity,
but SGI's most recent statistics caution otherwise. In 2001 in Saskatchewan,
there were 377 pedestrians injured or killed in collisions with vehicles. "While
most motorists have learned to share the road with bicycles, it's important
to know that pedestrians have rights on the road as well," says Shannon
Ell, SGI's Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion. When approaching an
intersection, drivers must yield the right of way to any pedestrians crossing
the street. Even if the pedestrian is coming from a street with a yield sign
or stop sign, they still have the right of way. Ell says that common
sense plays a role as well. Drivers travelling down a wide street don't need
to stop if the pedestrian is a safe distance away on the other side of the
street.
When yielding to a pedestrian, vehicles must stop before the crosswalk, which
will either be painted on the road or be an imaginary extension of the
sidewalk. It's
especially important to be alert when travelling in school zones, since young
children may not be paying as close attention as they should. Drivers should
be on the look out around school zones for crossing guards or school safety
patrols, in case they are directed to stop. Again, drivers must yield to pedestrians
at an intersection - even in the absence of a crossing guard or safety patrol.
Perhaps one of the most important rules to remember is that drivers should
never pass another vehicle that is stopped for a pedestrian.
"
This could lead to tragic results if the pedestrian crosses in front of the
other car and right into your lane as you are driving through," warns
Ell. While every driver needs to be aware of pedestrians' rights, pedestrians
have responsibilities as well.
Pedestrians should always cross at an intersection - not the middle of
the road. At intersections controlled by traffic lights, pedestrians
must obey
the "Walk" and "Don't Walk" signals. Pedestrians
should never start crossing a street until they have given motorists
a sufficient amount of time to stop.
As well, pedestrians should always walk on the sidewalk. In the absence
of a sidewalk,
pedestrians should walk on the left shoulder of the road, facing oncoming
traffic.
Ell says it's important to note that the term "pedestrian" includes
people in wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and medical scooters.
Contact: Shannon Ell
Supervisor, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI
Regina
(306) 775-6179
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