Sharing the Road with Other Users

What is one of the keys to pedestrian safety?

Eye contact between pedestrians (Ps) and drivers (Ds)

What should Ps be mindful of?

That they see Ds and Ds see them

What should Ds be mindful of?

• That they should stop or prepare to stop before turning

• That they should yield right of way to Ps

What should Ds watch out for when it comes to Ps?

• Children, crosswalks, school crossings, and guards

• Community safety zones

• Slow pedestrians

• Wheelchairs and medical scooters

• Texters, dark clothing, and new transport modes (e-bikes, e-scooters)

How do cyclists (Cs) typically move?

• If slower than traffic, they ride ~1 metre from curb or parked cars or as close as possible to right side of road

• Not required to so if speed ≥ traffic speed, or if turning left

How should Ds share the road with Cs?

• Cyclists can use any part of the lane for safety

• Drive ~1 m from cyclist (else: a fine and 2 demerit points)

• Let cyclists pass first when turning left at intersections

• Look out for cyclist hand signals

• Bike lanes, bike boxes, and sharrows (lanes shared with Cs and Ds)

How should Ds share the road with motorcyclists (Ms)?

• Harder to see due to size

• More unpredictable movement

• More likely to be injured in a collision

• Use a full lane, so treat like other Ds

• Be mindful of Ms’ non-automatic turn signals

How should Ds share the road with large commercial vehicles?

• Big blind spots (along either side and directly behind)

• Leave a generous stopping distance

• Watch out for wide turns

• Be cautious of rollback and debris spray

• Account for air turbulence caused by commercial vehicle

3 types of bus bays

1. Mid-block indented bays (A)

2. Indentations immediately before and after intersections (C, B)

3. Bus-stop areas between two designated parking areas (D)

What does flashing lights in a bus bay mean?

• The bus is getting ready to leave the bus bay

• If you’re in the adjacent lane, let the bus re-enter traffic

How should Ds share the road with farm machinery?

• Farm machinery: max speed of 40 km, slower when pulling implements or wagons, often oversized, difficult to see around, often pull into fields directly, active after dark

• Drivers: heed 40 or less sign, slow down and do not pass until it is safe

How should Ds share the road with horse-drawn vehicles?

• Horse-drawn vehicles: very slow, travel mostly on shoulder of road, may straddle or enter paved lane when needed

• Drivers: heed 40 km or less sign, slow down and do not pass until it is safe, stay on far right of opposite lane to avoid spooking horse

What does it mean when a school bus’s amber lights are flashing?

• Children are being picked up or dropped off

• Slow down and prepare to stop whether approaching or behind bus

What does it mean when a school bus’s red lights are flashing?

• Always stop (20+ metres away if behind)

• Do not proceed until the bus moves, the lights stop flashing, and the bus’s stop arm no longer active