CARE AND VI GI L ANCE

SAVE L I VES!
Each day in Qubec, approximately eight pedestrians are
injured in traffic accidents, usually in urban areas. If you
use the provinces road network on foot, you have no pro-
tection if you are struck by a vehicle. Thats why the
Highway Safety Code provides regulations to make wal-
king safe. Dont take chances, be safety conscious.
ON THE SIDEWALK!
Walk on the sidewalk. If there is none, walk on the shoulder
or edge of the road, fa cing oncoming traffic.
BEFORE YOU CROSS
Go to the nearest intersection.
Take a moment to check the traffic to make sure you
can walk across safely.
- Look left, right, then left again;
- Look over your shoulder to check that no vehicles are
coming from behind you;
- Establish eye contact with drivers to make sure they
see you.
PEDESTRIANS,
Be Safety Conscious!
The main causes of accidents involving pedestrians
are distraction and negligence.
The majority of accident victims are either over 65
or aged 15 to 24.
Since an older person's health can change a great
deal, annual check-ups with the doctor and an eye
specialist are recommended.
Some medications can influence reactions. Information
about the side-effects of medication is essential.
Heavy vehicles represent a particular danger to
pedestrians because some zones behind and on each
side of the vehicle are invisible to the driver, who
therefore cannot see any pedestrians who may be there.
Wearing headphones makes pedestrians vulnerable to
accidents because they don't hear traffic noise.
Light-coloured clothing or garments with reflective
bands will make pedestrians more visible. Of course,
a reflective patch on the back is still the best way to
make sure to be seen.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT AN INTERSECTION
If there are pedestrian and traffic lights
You must obey the pedestrian lights.
Stay within the two white crosswalk lines or pave-
ment markings when crossing the road. The
numerical countdown indicates the time you have
left to cross.
A flashing hand symbol with a countdown indicates
that you should only begin to cross if you are able
to reach the other side or the safety zone before
the hand stays orange. If you have already begun
crossing, hurry along to reach the other side.
Do not cross.
If there are only traffic lights
You have the right of way at the green light and
priority when you are on the roadway.
If there are stop signs
You have priority over motorists, who must bring
their vehicle to a stop and yield the right of way.
PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS
Pedestrian crosswalks are enclosed within yellow
pavement markings and identified by a sign. These
crosswalks are located away from intersections,
where there are no stop signs or traffic lights. You
have the right-of-way when you begin crossing the
road. Motorists and cyclists must stop their vehi-
cles to allow you to cross.
Failure to comply with these rules
may result in a $15 to $30
fine and legal costs.
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YOU MUST STOP AND YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO
PEDESTRIANS:
At an intersection, when the pedestrian light
is on, or before turning at a green light where
there is no pedestrian light.
Before turning right on a red light. On the is-
land of Montral, it is illegal to turn right on
a red light;
At a pedestrian crosswalk sign;
At a stop sign;
At a stop sign held by a school crossing
guard.
THE STOP LINE
At an intersection, you must bring your vehicle
to a stop at the stop line located ahead of
the pedestrian crossing. A sign sometimes
identifies the location of the stop line on the
roadway.
If there is no stop line, leave the pedestrian cros-
sing area clear by coming to a stop further back.
For further information or to check your knowledge, go to
www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/pedestrians.
Given their exposure to being struck by a vehicle, you
must grant pedestrians extra consideration, particularly
at intersections where they gather in greater numbers.
DRIVERS,
yield the right of way to pedestrians
Failure to comply with these rules may result in:
a $100 to $200 fine and legal costs;
up to 3 demerit points entered on
your driving record.