From My Bottom Step

National Road Safety Week: May 12 – 18, 2009
Do your Part to Save Lives this Season

OTTAWA – Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are generally classified as vulnerable road users. They are at greater risk of potential injury or death should they become involved in a collision on Canada ’s roadways. Vulnerable road users make up 24 per cent of road users killed or seriously injured each year in traffic crashes. In 2006, 665 vulnerable road users were killed and 3,667 were seriously injured.

May 12th – 18th is National Road Safety Week. Canada Safety Council encourages you to take precautions while on the road this summer. Whether you are considered a vulnerable road user, or share the road with them, be vigilant and stay aware of your surroundings at all times.

During the spring and summer months, the prevalence of vulnerable roads users is higher than at any other time of year. Drivers must be aware of pedestrians crossing at intersections, people coming out between parked cars, especially small children. Drivers must share the road with cyclists and motorcyclists, as increased traffic flow to the cottage and busy vacation areas becomes part of summer activities.

Intersections provide the most problems for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. In 2006, almost 40 per cent of all collisions at intersections involving vulnerable road users were fatal. While 50 per cent of pedestrians, 64 per cent of cyclists, and 45 per cent of motorcyclists were seriously injured at intersections. (Table 1)

The majority of collisions involving vulnerable road users occurred in urban areas with posted speed limits of 70 km/h or less. Almost 70 per cent of pedestrians were killed and more than 90 per cent were seriously injured. Seventy-two per cent of cyclists and 62 per cent of motorcyclists, who suffered serious injuries in crashes in urban areas, were struck at urban intersections. (Table 1)

Table 1

Serious injuries at intersections involving vulnerable road users.	Pedestrians	Cyclists	Motorcyclists
All intersections injuries (rural and urban)	50%	64%	45%
Intersections injuries in urban areas with posted speed limits of 70 km/h or less	90%	72%	62%

All road users must do their part to save lives and reduce injuries this summer. Motorists and vulnerable road users must walk, ride, cycle and drive more defensively in order to make road travel safer for everyone. See Tip Sheet for more information on what you, as a motorist and/or vulnerable road user, can do to make Canadian roads safer for all.