Pedestrian Safety

The white symbol of a walking person is the signal that tells pedestrians that they may begin to cross the road. Pedestrians may begin crossing the road at the crosswalk whenever the walk signal is showing.

The flashing "don't walk" hand signal means that pedestrians should not begin crossing the road. This signal is sometimes combined with a countdown timer and has the same meaning. 

If a pedestrian enters the crosswalk when the walk signal is on, they continue to have the right of way when the walking person light ends and the flashing hand or countdown begins. If you started crossing with the walk signal, continue your crossing – you will have enough time to complete your crossing before the signal changes to the "don't walk" phase.

The countdown signal, also known as a pedestrian countdown signal (PCS), provides a numeric count down display that indicates the number of seconds remaining for a pedestrian to complete their crossing of a street. The countdown shows the length of time between the walking person signal and the steady hand signal. These devices provide pedestrians with more information to assist them with a safer passage across the street. The initial countdown display value is dependent on the length of the crosswalk. 

New traffic signals installed since 2008 have been equipped with pedestrian countdown signals. Each year, these devices are also installed at select busy crosswalks at existing signalized locations. 

The orange steady hand signal means "don't walk" and is displayed before the conflicting traffic movements are allowed to start. When faced with a "don't walk" signal the pedestrian should press the push button and wait to cross the roadway. 

At selected road crossings at traffic signal locations, Oakville uses Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) in coordination with the CNIB Foundation, to assist pedestrians who are visually impaired. These signals advise visually impaired persons when they can cross the intersection and in which direction. If pedestrians hear a “cuckoo” sound, they can cross in a north/south direction. A “chirp” or a music melody means they can cross in an east/west direction. Additional verbal messages and location information may be provided.