Heads Up Edmonton!

November 02, 2010

Whether on foot or behind the wheel, Edmontonians are being reminded to keep their heads up and look out for each other this November.

The City’s Office of Traffic Safety teamed up with the Edmonton Police Service and the City Peace Officers to launch the Heads Up campaign. The month-long campaign will raise awareness amongst pedestrians and drivers about safety at crosswalks and intersections with the goal of preventing collisions on city streets.

“Pedestrians and drivers share responsibility for preventing collisions, and the injuries and fatalities that happen as a result of those collisions,” says Asif Iqbal, Senior Traffic Safety Engineer, Office of Traffic Safety, City of Edmonton. “This campaign urges both pedestrians and drivers to exercise more caution by always keeping their heads up and their eyes peeled so that they’re fully aware of their surroundings.”

In 2009, 366 pedestrians were involved in a collision with a vehicle in our city, which translates into one every day last year. Many of these pedestrians (64 per cent) were in an intersection or crosswalk with the right of way when the collision happened.

“Having the right of way doesn’t always mean it’s safe to proceed,” said Kerry Nisbet, Coordinator, Peace Officers, City of Edmonton. “Walk and drive with care by keeping your heads up so that you can make sure it’s safe. This is especially important at intersections and crosswalks, and even more critical at this time of year, when low light and poor weather make it harder to see each other.”

Peace officers and police officers will be handing out brochures with safety tips in areas with high levels of pedestrian traffic, including Whyte Avenue and the downtown core.  

“This campaign is focused on education, particularly on reminding pedestrians and drivers about some simple precautions they can take to stay safe,” said Sergeant Barry Maron, Traffic Section, Edmonton Police Service. “It’s easy to lose sight of those precautions when it’s cold outside or you’re in a rush, but they can mean the difference between a near miss and a collision.”

Edmontonians can take the following steps to prevent collisions:

Heads up pedestrians!

  • Cross with care. Make eye contact with drivers and wait until traffic has stopped before you cross.
  • Pay attention. Avoid distractions like texting.
  • Get noticed! Wear bright clothes and reflective gear, especially in low light or poor weather
  • Be predictable. Use crosswalks and intersections. Never jaywalk.
  • Heads up at intersections! Don’t start to cross on the flashing hand or countdown signal. Finish crossing quickly if you’ve already started.

Heads up drivers!

  • Be alert for pedestrians at all times, especially at intersections and crosswalks, and even more so in low light or poor weather.
  • Pay attention. Avoid distractions like texting.
  • See and be seen. Make eye contact with pedestrians.
  • Watch for vehicles slowing down around you. They may be yielding to a pedestrian.Heads up at intersections! Follow traffic lights, not the flashing hand or countdown signal. Pedestrian signals aren’t always timed to the light.

In addition to brochures, the Heads Up campaign will feature print ads, posters and street signs. Guru Digital Arts College students are also producing short animations, which will be released online over the course of the four-week campaign.

For more information:

Lindsay Yarmon

Title Communications Officer
Telephone

780-496-8191
780-914-5074 (cell)
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Copyright © 2012, City of Edmonton.