Motorists /Pedestrians - Let's Work on Our Relationship

Learn about traffic safety...

Three photos showing pedestrians crossing the street, a cyclist on a road and a driver view of a pedestrian.

 

 

Intersection Safety Pilot

    The Regional Municipality of York is continuing to make road and intersection improvements to further enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. The following four intersections have additional safety enhancements.

    • Major Mackenzie Drive and Bayview Avenue in the City of Richmond Hill
    • Yonge Street and Clark Avenue in the City of Markham
    • Bathurst Street and Carrville/Rutherford Road in the City of Richmond Hill
    • Bathurst Street and Clark Avenue in the City of Vaughan

    Collisions have been reduced at these four intersections and the Region will be implementing the same measures in 2022/2023 at six additional intersections in the cities of Markham and Vaughan. These have been identified and selected as having the best opportunity to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, using a data-driven approach.

    • 16th Avenue and Woodbine Avenue in the City of Markham
    • 16th Avenue and Main Street Markham/Highway 48 in the City of Markham
    • Highway 7 and Martin Grove Road in the City of Vaughan
    • Highway 7 and McCowan Road in the City of Markham
    • Highway 7 and Kennedy Road in the City of Markham
    • McCowan Road and Carlton Road/Raymerville Drive in the City of Markham

    Safety enhancements include:

    No right turn on red signal 

    Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Improvements and No Right Turn On Red

    Staff are studying intersections where No Right Turn on Red (NROR) measures were implemented and exploring options to reduce delays for motorists while continuing to protect pedestrians and cyclists. The studies include observation and assessment of any road user concerns and offer further improvements. 

    In June 2019, York Region Staff presented to Regional Council a Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety Improvements report. The report included a comprehensive data review indicating the probability of injury to pedestrians and cyclists in motor vehicle collisions is significantly higher compared to other modes of travel. Pedestrians and cyclists are at high risk with vehicles turning at signalized intersections on Regional roads. More than 80 per cent of all pedestrian and cyclist collisions in the Region involve a vehicle turning at signalized intersections and serious injuries are sustained in approximately 95 per cent of collisions.

    Safety measures to help protect pedestrians and cyclists were implemented in 2019 at four signalized intersections. To justify the measures, a risk assessment was conducted, which included a comprehensive data review indicating the probability of injury in collisions. Risk characteristics included road user volume, crossing distance, speed limit and roadway environment, among others. 

    In October 2021, York Region Staff provided Regional Council a Results of Pedestrian and Cyclist Pilot Measures report with results of the pedestrian and cyclist pilot measures implemented at the four pilot Regional intersections. Video data was collected before and after implementation of the measures to compare before and after results at each intersection. Overall, total collisions have reduced by more than 60 per cent, and angle collisions, which typically result in serious injury, by 75 per cent. These findings are comparable to industry experience that reports prohibiting right turns at signalized intersections and implementing protected left turn movements may reduce pedestrian and cyclist collisions by more than 80 per cent.

    Given the success in reducing collisions and conflicts at the four pilot intersections, a recommendation to implement these measures at six additional signalized intersections was included in the October 2021 council report. In early 2022, similar traffic safety concerns were identified regarding pedestrian and cyclists, and turning motorists at signalized intersections along Kennedy Road, between 16th Avenue and Highway 7. A safety audit was completed and identified collision patterns and trends associated with pedestrians and cyclists at the intersections of Kennedy Road and The Bridle Trail, and Kennedy Road and Carlton Road, with most of the collisions resulting in an injury due to vehicles failing to yield to the right-of-way. The measures were implemented at the additional intersections in 2022: 

    • ​​​​​16th Avenue and Woodbine Avenue in the City of Markham 
    • 16th Avenue and Main Street Markham/Highway 48 in the City of Markham 
    • Highway 7 and Martin Grove Road in the City of Vaughan
    • Highway 7 and McCowan Road in the City of Markham 
    • Highway 7 and Kennedy Road in the City of Markham
    • McCowan Road and Carlton Road/Raymerville Drive in the City of Markham
    • Kennedy Road at The Bridle Trail in the City of Markham
    • Kennedy Road at Carlton Road in the City of Markham

    The Region will continue to monitor these intersections and implement justified improvements. As part of the Traveller Safety Plan, the Region will ensure road safety measures are designed in a way that maximizes safety and balances efficiency for all road users.

    • Exclusive left turn signal
    • Pedestrian and cyclist right-of-way signage
    • Leading pedestrian phase (head start for pedestrians)

    The performance of these enhancements was measured over a period of one year. Based on positive results, the measures will be expanded to additional intersections in 2022.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What's at an intersection?

    Pedestrians, wearing bright or reflective clothing during the darker winter months can make you more visible to motorists. And motorists, please be extra vigilant after dark.

    Tips:

    Dear Expert,How do I get motorists to notice me? Sincerely, Lonely Pedestrian

    Dear Pedestrian

    You may think that a stylish black outfit will get you noticed, but the opposite is true. When it’s dark outside you need to wear bright or reflective clothing. Check out our video to see the difference reflective strips can make. And one more thing, please, lose the hoodie. Let the motorists see you for the awesome person you are.

    P.S. Another great way to get noticed is to cross only at signalled intersections and cross walks – that’s where motorists are on the lookout for pedestrians.

    Dear Expert, I feel like I’m not seeing pedestrians enough. Am I doing something wrong? Sincerely, Caring Motorist

    Dear Caring Motorist,

    First of all you are not alone. Wanting to see more of someone, especially during the darker months, is common. Here’s what you can do: 

    • Approach intersections with caution and scan carefully to look out for pedestrians.
    • Make sure your windshield is clean inside and out as night-time glare can make visibility difficult.  Visibility can be drastically reduced due to dirt on the inside of a windshield too.  When confronted with oncoming headlights, dirt on the inside will have the same effect as fog or frost.
    • Slow down when it is raining – when it’s dark and wet it’s even harder to see pedestrians.  Driving slower will give you more time to see them.
    • Make sure your headlights and windshield wipers are in good working order.  

    Dear Expert, I want my children to have healthy relationships with motorists. What can I do? Sincerely, Concerned Pedestrian Parent

    Dear Concerned Pedestrian Parent,

    Parents need to always remember that they are role models for their children. So teach them how to cross the street properly – obey pedestrian signals.  We need to promote obeying pedestrian signals at every opportunity. Please cross at crosswalks or intersections and stay alert while crossing.

    And please make sure your children are dressed in bright coloured or reflective clothing during the darker months so that they are more visible to motorists. Watch this eye opening video that shows how reflective strips dramatically increase visibility.

    Tips For Commercial Vehicles

    For pedestrians: 

    Listen for back-up alarms and watch for reverse lights.  Both are indicators that the vehicle is about to back-up.

    Avoid areas such as truck loading or service areas.  Areas where pedestrians are not normally expected to be are particularly hazardous.

    For drivers:

    Watch for pedestrians when making turns at intersections.  A distracted pedestrian can easily walk into the side of a turning truck.

    Use a spotter at the rear of your vehicle whenever possible when reversing.  A pedestrian can move behind your truck and out of your sight within seconds

    Walk around your truck before you start from a parked position.  Children are drawn to trucks and can easily be concealed by the components of a large vehicle.