The City of Surrey is giving pedestrians a seven-second head start at 70 intersections in an effort to improve safety.

Usually, traffic lights turn green for pedestrians and cars at the same time. But in new “leading pedestrian interval” intersections, the walking signal will illuminate seven seconds before cars get the green light.

The idea is to let pedestrians move further into the intersection, so that they’re more visible to drivers turning left and right.

In order to get the head start, pedestrians must push the button. Surrey currently has this system at 70 of its intersections — the most in the province.

The initiative is part of Vision Zero Surrey, a plan to reduce deaths on the city’s roads.