New rules regarding pedestrians and drivers are being clarified by the Chatham Kent Police Service.
As of January 1, provincial regulations changed to make it mandatory for drivers (including cyclists) must stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers (commonly known as crosswalks) and at school crossings where there is a crossing guard displaying a school crossing stop sign.
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 Road 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.
Regardless of the circumstances, police advise motorists and cyclists to be aware of pedestrians at all times.
