Road Safety

Road safety is everyone's responsibility  — whether you're walking, cycling, rolling or driving.

Through the Strategic Road Safety Framework, the municipality is committed to the Towards Zero approach which is focused on moving closer towards zero fatalities and injuries for people using any mode of transportation. In 2018, Regional Council approved the goal of a 20 percent reduction of fatal and injury collisions by 2023. 

The Framework prioritizes seven emphasis areas to focus resources to have the greatest impact in reducing fatalities and injuries. These emphasis areas will be addressed through engineering, enforcement, and education. Collision data will be used to identify site specific locations for engineering countermeasures and to identify topics and target audiences for education and enforcement campaigns. 

Road Safety Dashboard

  • Learn about the progress the municipality is making to improve road safety in the Halifax region.

Ongoing Road Safety Initiatives 

CROSSWALKS

  • Crosswalks exist on all legs of an intersection, whether marked or unmarked
  • Slow down and scan the street and sidewalk when approaching crosswalks and intersections. 
  • Whether you're walking, cycling, rolling, or driving, avoid all distractions when entering a crosswalk. Ensure you are seen, and your intentions understood. 
  • It's the law to use the overhead flashing light at crosswalks. Make sure to press the button where it is available. 
  • Remember that you cannot stop or park a vehicle within five metres of a crosswalk.
  • Drivers must yield to pedestrians waiting to cross or when they're already in a crosswalk.
  • Turning vehicles at signalized intersections must yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk. Pedestrians continue to have the right of way as they finish their crossing during the flashing don’t walk phase.  

SAFE PRACTICES ON THE ROAD

  • Obey the speed limit. 
  • Whether you're walking, cycling, rolling, or driving, avoid all distractions while travelling. Distractions put all road users at risk.
  • You must stop whenever you approach a stopped school bus with its upper alternating red lights flashing, regardless of whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the front. 
  • Be prepared to stop for a school bus at any time, not just within school hours. 
  • Reduce your speed when entering a school zone. Follow the school zone speed limit anytime children are present, not just during school hours. 

TIPS ON HOW TO USE OUR NEW INFRASTRUCTURE 

  • Traffic calming helps to slow motorists using physical measures including speed humps, curb extensions, mini-roundabouts, on-street parking, raised median islands, and raised intersections and crosswalks. Traffic calming continues 10-12 residential streets per year across the region. 

  • The municipality continues to improve curb ramps by including Tactile Walking Surface Indicators, which provide wayfinding cues on sidewalks for people with visual impairments.

  • Bump-outs improve road safety by reducing the pedestrian crossing distance and improving visibility between pedestrians and motorists. In 2019, 12 intersection bump-outs were installed across the municipality.  

  • Fluorescent reflective strips improve visibility at crosswalks, particularly during nighttime conditions. These strips have been installed on all basic, side-mounted crosswalk signs – more than 350 crosswalk locations across the municipality

  • A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) uses LED light-sources that flash with high-frequency when activated, increasing visibility at uncontrolled, marked crosswalks. There are 11 RRFBs installed across the municipality, with plans to install more in 2020

  • When boarding or exiting a Halifax Transit bus along the South Park Street bike lane, use the shared lane. If you are cycling, stop behind the white markings and yield to those using the bus stop. 

  • The South Park Street bike lanes feature a two-stage bicycle turn box. If you are cycling, enter the turn box on a green light and wait. On the green light for the cross street, travel through the intersection.  

Heads Up Halifax

  • Learn about the expanded Heads Up Halifax campaign supporting road safety for all users

 

    News Releases, Reports, and Minutes

    News Releases
    Reports
    Road Safety Steering Committee Meeting Minutes