City of Fort Saskatchewan Launches Pedestrian Safety Campaign: When Eyes Lock, It’s Safe to Walk

The City of Fort Saskatchewan is taking another step toward safer streets with the launch of its new pedestrian safety campaign, When Eyes Lock, It’s Safe to Walk.

As part of this initiative, brightly painted prompts will appear on the sidewalk before major crosswalks at notable, high-traffic intersections and on light poles throughout the community. The reminders encourage pedestrians to “look up” and make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street, helping ensure everyone gets home safely.

This safety effort is part of Fort Saskatchewan’s commitment to Vision Zero, the long-term goal of eliminating all traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the city.

“Whether you’re walking, driving, cycling, or taking the bus, traffic safety affects everyone,” said Coreen Rayner, Director, Protective Services. “Eye contact between drivers and pedestrians is a simple but powerful way to prevent collisions and protect lives.”

“Too often we see near-misses because a pedestrian or driver wasn’t paying attention,” said Sgt. B. Sharpe, Supervisor, Municipal Enforcement Services. “A quick glance and nod at the crosswalk can be the difference between a safe crossing and a serious incident.”

Fort Saskatchewan has already made significant progress toward Vision Zero, reducing overall collisions by 42% in the last five years. However, serious injuries and fatalities still occur, each with a lasting impact on families, first responders, and the community.

The When Eyes Lock, It’s Safe to Walk campaign is a reminder that no loss of life on our roads is acceptable, and that safety is a shared responsibility.

For more information on traffic safety in Fort Saskatchewan, visit fortsask.ca/VisionZero.
 

Fort Saskatchewan, located just 15 minutes northeast of Edmonton along the North Saskatchewan River, is a vibrant hub for economic, recreational, and cultural activities. Nestled in the centre of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland and home to nearly 30,000 residents, the city offers many amenities, including a multi-use fitness facility, an aquatics centre, 80 km of trails, and high-performance arenas and fields. Cultural highlights include a 500-seat performing arts theatre, historic sites, a museum, and a replica of the 1875 Northwest Mounted Police Fort. Fort Saskatchewan is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community, providing a blend of experiences that welcomes everyone.

The city is situated in Treaty 6 Territory and Métis Nation of Alberta District 11. We recognize that we stand upon land that carries the footsteps of many Indigenous Peoples, including the Nehiyawak, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux, and Métis. The City honours the First Peoples of this land and is committed to fostering reconciliation through relationship building, knowledge gathering, and education.