Pedestrian Crossovers

A new provincial law was enacted on January 1, 2016 as part of Bill 31: Making Ontario’s Roads Safer Act that provides municipalities the ability to install pedestrian crossovers.

Pedestrian crossovers are a new way for pedestrians to easily and safely cross the road. By law, drivers and cyclists must stop and yield to pedestrians intending to cross the road, and wait for them to completely reach the other side before driving.

Pedestrian crossovers are marked by signs and pavement markings, and in some cases, pedestrian-activated flashing lights.

Types of crossovers

There are three new types of pedestrian crossovers.  Each crossover has the same rules of the road.

Type B

• Ladder lines that mark the crossing area
• Triangles that mark where motorists and cyclists must stop
• Overhead signs, roadside signs, and flashing lights
• Pedestrian push buttons

Type C

• Ladder lines that mark the crossing area
• Triangles that mark where motorists and cyclists must stop
• Roadside signs and flashing lights
• Pedestrian push buttons

Type D

• Ladder lines that mark the crossing area
• Triangles that mark where motorists and cyclists must stop
• Roadside signs

Difference between Crosswalks and Pedestrian Crossovers

Crosswalks:

• Sometimes have "ladder" style stripes that mark the crossing area
• Are found at a regular traffic signal, stop sign, school crossing or other intersection
• Motorists do not have to wait for pedestrians to cross the full width before proceeding

Pedestrian Crossovers:

•  Always have "ladder" style stripes that mark the crossing area
• Always have roadside signage that says "Stop for Pedestrians"
• Always have pavement markings (series of triangles) to show where drivers and/or cyclists must stop
• Sometimes have lights or overheads signage, normally on busier roadways
• Requires that motorists wait for pedestrians to cross the full width of the road before driving

Responsibilities of Drivers and Cyclists

• Be prepared to stop for pedestrians
• Stop behind the yield line (series of triangles)
• Make eye contact or gesture so the pedestrian sees you
• Wait for pedestrians to completely reach the other side before proceeding
• Do not pass another stopped vehicle

Pedestrians

• Indicate your intention to cross the road
• Must not enter the crossover when it may be impractical for a driver to stop.
• Make eye contact to ensure that driver sees you and acknowledges that you intend to cross the road.

It is the responsibility of both drivers and pedestrians to understand and follow the rules of the road.

Penalties

All road users must obey pedestrian crossover rules, and laws are in effect at all times.

Fines for offences vary from $150 to $500 and 3 demerit points.

Warrants

Pedestrian crossovers can be installed when the volume of pedestrians crossing a road and the amount of vehicle traffic crossing that point exceeds the following amounts

Pedestrian crossovers may not be appropriate if there is crosswalk within 200 metres of the study location.  Each site is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.