By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent News
Chatham-Kent has recently posted new signs on local rural roadways where off-road trails cross main thoroughfares.
Signs have been installed on rural roads such as Kent Bridge Road, Scane Road, Victoria Road and Kenesserie Road.
These yellow diamond signs include images of a person walking and a bicycle, with a second sign underneath with the word “CROSSING.”
These signs have been installed to caution motorists about the potential of pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross the roadway as they continue on the trails.
Vehicular traffic is not required to stop if a person or cyclist is waiting to cross at these uncontrolled crossings.
Pedestrians and cyclists are required to yield to vehicles on the roadway and wait for a safe gap in traffic before crossing safely.
These signs follow the provincial-wide standard approach as set out in the Ontario Traffic Manual.
These crossings differ in regulation from controlled crosswalks in a town or city where vehicles must stop when lights are flashing, or at the new style of pedestrian crossings in downtown areas where motorists are required to stop if they see a person waiting to cross.
