The Peterborough Police Service, Peterborough Public Health, the City of Peterborough, and Peterborough County have launched a pedestrian safety campaign to raise awareness and reduce collisions.
In 2024, there were 44 pedestrian-involved collisions in Peterborough Police Service areas, with 39 resulting in injury. The OPP reported one fatal collision in rural areas.
To address this, the campaign will share essential safety tips for pedestrians and motorists.
Pedestrians are encouraged to:
- Be visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, and use a flashlight or headlamp when walking in the dark.
- Walk facing traffic when sidewalks are not available, and minimize distractions like using headphones.
- Use the shoulder of the road to stay as far from moving vehicles as possible.
- Choose safe walking routes, opting for roads with slower traffic or wider shoulders.
- Cross safely at marked crossings and always look both ways before crossing.
- Adapt to weather conditions, wearing more reflective gear in poor weather and walking with extra caution.
- Carry identification and emergency contacts, especially when walking in remote areas.
- Limit or avoid walking at night, especially on rural roads, to improve visibility.
- Be cautious around large vehicles, giving extra space to trucks and farm equipment.
Motorists are reminded to:
- Be alert for pedestrians, especially in low-visibility conditions.
- Respect speed limits, especially in school zones and areas with high pedestrian traffic.
- Adapt to weather conditions by giving extra space to pedestrians and allowing more time to travel.
The public is urged to share and follow the #walksafe messages to improve road safety for all.
