Who Is Vulnerable, and Why It Matters

Transport Canada’s 2023 collision statistics recorded 1,964 road fatalities in Canada. Pedestrians accounted for 15.2%, motorcyclists 11.7% (including moped riders) and bicyclists 2.4%. Together, these three groups represented about 29% of recorded road fatalities. Source: Transport Canada.

These figures count fatalities, not everyone injured in collisions. Other vulnerable road users include children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people using e-scooters, wheelchairs and mobility devices. What they share is greater physical exposure and, in some situations, reduced visibility or a limited ability to avoid a collision.

Four Habits That Protect Everyone

Pedestrians

Pedestrians can be hard to see when they approach from behind parked vehicles, cross at night or step into your path unexpectedly.

• Yield at crossings. Follow the pedestrian right-of-way rules in your province or territory. Stop when required and don’t proceed until it’s safe. See our right of way guide.
• Watch for people preparing to cross. Look near curbs, intersections, transit stops and parked vehicles.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian. The stopped vehicle may be blocking your view of someone crossing.
• Slow down in low visibility. At night, in rain or in poor light, pedestrians can be hard to detect. Scan road edges and crossing areas. See our night driving guide.
• Don’t rely on eye contact alone. A pedestrian may not have seen you or understood your intentions. Keep yielding and be ready to stop.

The principle is straightforward: observe, anticipate, and give pedestrians the time and space to cross safely.

Older Adults and People with Disabilities

Some pedestrians need extra time to cross, or have difficulty seeing, hearing or responding to approaching traffic. This can include older adults and people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities.

• Be patient. Give pedestrians enough time to cross. Don’t edge forward, rev the engine or pressure someone who is still crossing.
• Recognize white canes and guide dogs. People who are blind or have low vision may use them to move along sidewalks and across intersections. Stop and let them cross safely, following your province’s or territory’s right-of-way requirements.
• Watch for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Users sit lower than other pedestrians and can be harder to see near parked vehicles, driveways and curb ramps.
• Don’t assume someone has seen or heard you. Make your intentions clear, but never treat eye contact or a response as confirmation that it’s safe to go.
• Keep accessible areas clear. Don’t stop or park where you would block curb ramps, accessible crossings or designated loading areas.

Cyclists

Cyclists share the road with motor vehicles. They may need to change position to avoid hazards, parked vehicles or surface defects.

• Passing: Leave the legally required clearance when you overtake a cyclist. Minimum passing distances vary by province and can depend on the speed limit, and our right of way guide lists them. If there isn’t enough room, slow down and wait until passing is safe.
• Right turns: Check your mirrors and blind spot before turning right. A cyclist may be alongside you or approaching from behind. Never turn across their path.
• Opening doors: Check your mirror and look over your shoulder before opening a vehicle door. A cyclist may be approaching from behind.
• Road position: A cyclist may ride farther from the curb to avoid hazards, or when the lane is too narrow to share safely. Don’t squeeze past.
• Intersections: Watch for cyclists approaching from either direction, including those in designated cycling lanes.

Motorcyclists

Motorcycles have a smaller visual profile than passenger vehicles, which can make their distance and speed harder to judge.

• Left turns: A driver turning left across an approaching motorcycle’s path creates a serious collision risk. Look carefully, reassess the gap and make sure the motorcycle is far enough away before you turn. See left turns.
• Blind spots: A motorcycle can be completely hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot. Check your mirrors and over your shoulder before changing lanes. See changing lanes.
• Following distance: Keep at least three seconds behind a motorcycle in suitable conditions, and more when visibility, road surface or traffic requires it. Motorcyclists can slow without using their brakes, so a brake light may not always give an early warning.
• Turn signals: Some motorcycle turn signals don’t cancel automatically. Don’t assume a motorcycle is turning until its movement confirms it.
• Road and weather conditions: Rain, gravel, loose surfaces and wet leaves create extra hazards for motorcycles. Increase your following distance and avoid sudden movements.

A Quick Comparison

Common Mistakes

Looking for vehicles only

The problem: You scan for cars and overlook pedestrians, cyclists or motorcycles.

Better approach: Include people in every observation scan. Identify where they are and what they might do next.

Rushing someone who is crossing

The problem: You edge forward, sound the horn or pressure a pedestrian who hasn’t finished crossing.

Better approach: Stay stopped and let the pedestrian clear your path safely.

Assuming someone has seen you

The problem: You proceed because you believe the pedestrian or cyclist has noticed your vehicle.

Better approach: Never rely on eye contact alone. Be prepared to stop.

Squeezing past a cyclist

The problem: You pass with too little clearance and no room to respond if the cyclist changes position.

Better approach: Wait for a safe opportunity and give the required passing distance.

Failing to look twice for motorcycles

The problem: You see an apparent gap and begin turning without reassessing the approaching traffic.

Better approach: Look carefully, reassess the gap, and go only when it’s safe.

Practice Exercise: Count the People

During a supervised drive through a busy area, practise identifying people outside vehicles. Do this only when you can keep full control of the vehicle and your attention on the road.

Your job

Name the pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and people using mobility devices you see, and say what you’re doing to protect them: slowing down, leaving extra space, preparing to stop, waiting before turning, or checking mirrors and blind spots. Include people who might enter your path, not only those already on the road.

Your supervising driver’s job

Point out road users you may have missed, and discuss your observations and decisions once the vehicle is safely stopped. For guidance on feedback, see teaching a new driver.

The Bottom Line

People outside vehicles have less physical protection in a collision. You can reduce their risk by identifying them early, adjusting speed, keeping space and anticipating movement.

Give pedestrians the time they need, give cyclists safe passing clearance, and take an extra look for motorcycles before turning or changing lanes.

You can’t respond to someone you haven’t noticed. Look for people, not just vehicles.