Road safety is a shared responsibility, regardless of how you use the road. Our friends, family, children, and colleagues are impacted several times daily by road safety. When tragedy strikes, too often we feel powerless in terms of making an impact to prevent further issues.

Take action – take the Road SMARTS Pledge!
 
Don't wait for tragedy to strike before you change your road habits. Taking the Road SMARTS Pledge enables every road user to promise to do their part to prevent road fatalities and create safer communities. 

By taking the Road SMARTS Pledge, you can help improve road safety for everyone. When road behaviours change, accidents can be reduced.

#RoadSMARTS

Read and Take the Road SMARTS Pledge

Start the Road SMARTS Pledge by printing it out, signing it, reading it aloud, and sharing its importance with friends and family. Once you’ve taken the Pledge, share it on social media, and remember, road safety is everyone’s responsibility!

Are you an individual who wants to join your fellow Ottawa residents in taking the Road SMARTS Pledge to help create safer roads for everyone? 

"I Pledge to make road safety a priority by exercising compassion, cooperation and caution when sharing our roads."

 
Click here to take the SMARTS Pledge
Kids and adults can take the Road SMARTS Pledge together and earn the distinguished honour of becoming a Road SMARTS Family!

Road SMARTS Adult's Pledge
"I Pledge to make road safety a priority by exercising compassion, cooperation and caution when sharing our roads."

Road SMARTS Kid's Pledge
"We always look and listen,
When we walk and wheel near traffic.
Be safe, be seen, by trucks and cars,
And always use our street SMARTS!"
Click here to take the SMARTS Family Pledge
"Each year in Canada, about 2,000 people are killed and 165,000 are injured, (10,000 seriously) while using our road transportation system and costs society $37 billion annually."
(Transport Canada, 2015, Draft Report on the Social Costs of Collisions in Canada, 1996-2012)

#RoadSMARTS Actions you can do right now!

Motorists

  • Don’t text and drive.
  • Slow down at intersections, residential streets, in construction zones, and school zones.
  • Share the road.
  • Know and follow the rules of the road.
  • Clear off snow and ice from vehicles.
  • Don’t speed.
  • Exercise patience.
  • Wear your seatbelt.
  • Drive sober! Never drive impaired.

Pedestrians

  • Look before crossing all intersections and roads – make sure motorists and cyclists can see you.
  • Only cross at pedestrian crossovers and use the crossing lights.
  • Don’t jaywalk.
  • Don’t text and walk.
  • Wear bright clothing.
  • Know and follow the rules of the road.
  • Where sidewalks are not available, walk facing traffic.
  • If you’re wearing headphones, keep the volume low so you can hear what’s going on around you.

Cyclists

  • Wear a helmet.
  • Use a bell to alert pedestrians and other cyclists.
  • Wear reflective tape, reflectors and rear lights to make it easier to be seen.
  • Know and follow the rules of the road.
  • Share the road.
  • Ride on dedicated spaces.

Motorcyclists

  • Wear a helmet.
  • Slow down at intersections, residential streets, in construction zones, and school zones.
  • Look ALL ways for pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Share the road.
  • Know and follow the rules of the road.
  • Don’t speed.
  • Be patient.
  • Take proper training and practice.
  • Drive sober! Never drive impaired.
According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, more than 90% of road crashes are a result of human error or condition. This means that road crashes are entirely preventable.
Ottawa Safety Council