Pedestrian Month: raising awareness
The City of Westmount is participating in Pedestrian Month with the goal of raising awareness among citizens about the vulnerability of pedestrians on our roads. This call for caution targets all road users, particularly drivers.
Between 2019 and 2023, 525 pedestrians on average were victims of road accidents in October and November, of which 16 tragically lost their lives.* It is important to highlight that we are all pedestrians at some point during our day. Walking (or using a mobility aid) in public spaces is an essential part of our daily lives, and a safe walking environment should be accessible to everyone.
With Halloween approaching, one of the most significant pedestrian events of the year, it is even more important to exercise caution and follow safety recommendations, such as these from Piétons Québec and their partners:
Drivers:
- Be attentive and keep your eyes on the road.
- Anticipate the presence of pedestrians.
- Check your blind spots, especially those near the windshield.
- Respect speed limits and signage.
- Adjust your driving to road conditions.
Pedestrians:
- Cross at intersections or crosswalks.
- Obey pedestrian signals.
- Check traffic and avoid distractions when crossing.
- Establish eye contact with drivers.
- Use sidewalks or, if none are available, walk at the edge of the road facing oncoming traffic.
This Pedestrian Month awareness campaign is supported by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), the Association des directeurs de police du Québec (ADPQ), the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), CAA-Québec, and Piétons Québec. For more information on the topic, visit the Piétons Québec (in French only) and SAAQ websites.
*Read the press release (in French only)