Stop! New laws for pedestrian crossings

A new law intended to make roads safer for school children, pedestrians and school crossing guards came into effect on Jan. 1.

As of the first day of 2016, drivers (including cyclists) must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers and school crossings where there is a crossing guard displaying a stop sign.

The new rules do not apply to 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.

Drivers who fail to obey the new law can be fined $150 to $500 and receive three 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 – an action that puts pedestrians at risk - is $200 to $1,000.

Fines are doubled in Community Safety Zones, near schools and public areas. These areas are clearly marked with signs.

For more on this new law, including FAQ and illustrations, visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website.