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Pedestrian lightsCanada

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Canada. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Canada

36. Pedestrian lights

Pedestrian lights are traffic signals that regulate when pedestrians may begin crossing a road. They normally display a red standing figure to prohibit starting and a green walking figure to permit crossing.

A flashing signal or countdown may warn that the permitted crossing period is ending. Pedestrians should cross without unnecessary delay, while turning drivers must remain alert and allow pedestrians who entered lawfully to finish crossing safely.

Pedestrian walk signal in Historic Sandwich Towne. (Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Ken Lund • CC BY-SA
What do pedestrian traffic signals mean in Canada?

In Toronto, the walking-person signal permits you to start after checking that cross traffic has stopped. A flashing orange hand means do not start, but finish a crossing already begun on WALK. A steady orange hand means do not enter. Check the rules for the province or territory you visit.

🔗 toronto.ca • Toronto pedestrian countdown signals; local example, provincial and territorial rules vary

What if the pedestrian signal changes while you are crossing in Canada?

In Toronto, if you began on WALK, continue to the opposite pavement or a safety island when the orange hand starts flashing. Do not begin a new crossing during that phase. The countdown shows the time remaining to complete the crossing; rules elsewhere in Canada must be checked locally.

🔗 toronto.ca • Toronto pedestrian countdown signals; local example, provincial and territorial rules vary

May turning drivers ignore pedestrians on a signal-controlled crossing in Canada?

No. For example, British Columbia requires a turning driver facing green to give way to pedestrians lawfully crossing. A permitted turn on red also requires yielding to pedestrians and traffic lawfully proceeding. Check the provincial or territorial rules and the actual signals.

🔗 bclaws.gov.bc.ca • British Columbia, current Motor Vehicle Act

🔗 icbc.com • ICBC, Learn to Drive Smart full current guide

1 Canada 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next junction 34 Traffic lights 35 Traffic lights warning 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Reversing 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled crossroad 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Caravan 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ...