Motorists in Ontario are reminded of new rules set to begin on January 1, 2016 concerning pedestrian and school crossing. Back in the summer Ontario passed the Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act which among other things increased fines for distracted driving. It also introduced new rules for pedestrian crossovers and school crossings.
Starting January 1, 2016 all drivers of motor vehicles AND cyclists must stop and yield the whole roadway at:
- Pedestrian crossovers; and,
- at school crossings where there is a crossing guard displaying a school crossing stop sign.
This means as long as there is a pedestrian and or crossing guard on the roadway drivers must remain stopped. These rules apply at pedestrian crossovers identified with specific signs, road markings and lights – the new rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is present.
The new law, part of Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act, also provides municipal road authorities the ability to install new types of pedestrian crossovers on low speed, low volume roads in addition to the existing crossovers.
Fines
Drivers will be fined $150 to $500 and 3 demerit points for offences at pedestrian crossings, school crossings and at crosswalks where there are traffic signals. The maximum fine for running a red light – a practice that puts pedestrians at risk – is $200 to $1000.
Fines are doubled in Community Safety Zones, near schools and public areas. These areas are clearly marked with signs.
For more information please visit the MTO website
photo credit: After School via photopin (license)
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