Steering You Right: Pedestrians’ rights and responsibilities

By Jordan W. Charness

Montreal, Quebec – There is one great equalizer in life. It is something that we all share no matter our height, weight, or language preference. Thanks to the automobile, at one time or another we are all part of that great class of people that we call pedestrians. Anyone who lives near any type of road will eventually leave the comfort of a car or bus and share the road while on foot.

It’s not even a fair contest. A car weighs half a metric ton while we people weigh around a hundred kilos (some more, some less). In any confrontation between a car and a person, the person is sure to lose. Almost 4,000 pedestrians are hit by vehicles on Quebec roads every year. Over 100 of them die of their injuries.

Here are some frightening statistics: it is estimated that one pedestrian is hit every two to three hours. Most of those who die from their injuries are over the age of 55 or are children between the ages of five and nine. In 70 per cent of accidents, it is the pedestrian’s fault and not that of the driver. The major factors are the pedestrian failing to pay attention, or being distracted or negligent.

There are three particularly stupid things that we all tend to do, or at least have done at one time or another. Drivers do not have x-ray vision, so don’t expect them to see you if you decide to pop out into the street from between two parked cars. The only safe place to cross is at an intersection or crosswalk.

Dumb mistake number two is to walk in the road in the same direction as the traffic. Obviously, if there is a sidewalk, that’s the place for you to be. But if there is no sidewalk then make sure you walk facing oncoming traffic. That way you are not just counting on the driver to avoid you but you have an active say on whether or not you will become part of the statistics. If you are walking on the sidewalk, you may face any direction you please.

Big mistake number three is crossing the street in the middle of the road. A lot like mistake number one, it can be avoided by crossing at the corner. If there is no corner handy, say on a long country road, look both ways before crossing and then cross at a right angle. Don’t race a car. You might slip. It might be closer than you think and then BAM! – you’re a statistic.

There are specially-designed features in and around the roads just for pedestrians. The most obvious one is the sidewalk. It’s pretty self explanatory and ergonomically designed, so use it.

Those white lines that you see near the intersection denote a corridor for you to use while crossing the road. Yellow bands are crosswalks between intersections. There are even special traffic lights set up just for pedestrians at certain busy intersections. A fixed hand, usually red, means stay put, and don’t cross. A flashing hand means don’t start across if you haven’t already done so. If you have already begun to cross, get a move on. Time is running out.

A fixed white silhouette means that it is your turn to cross. This doesn’t necessarily mean that it is safe to cross, just that it is legal. Make sure you look out for turning vehicles. Although you technically have the right of way, this is no time to be standing on ceremony: sometimes the silhouette will begin to flash when you are running out of time. Other times the flashing hand will pop up. The message is clear both ways: Get moving. But walk, don’t run; if you run you have a greater risk of tripping.

When crossing, keep in mind that the driver may not see you since you may be obscured by sun glare, parked vehicles, snow or rain. Wear light colours at night. If you walk a lot at night by yourself, some reflective clothing or tape is recommended. See and be seen.

According to law, pedestrians must obey pedestrian signals and traffic lights, cross at intersections or crosswalks, and use the sidewalk if there is one. Failure to do so may earn you a fine, or cost you your life.

Drivers are not free from responsibility either. According to law, a driver must yield the way to a pedestrian who is crossing on a green light. After making a stop or a turn, a driver must yield to the pedestrian and of course must yield when coming out of a driveway. The penalties for forgetting to do so are a fine and a lifetime of trauma while you relive in your mind over and over again how you killed that man, woman or child.