As of January 1, 2016, new MTO rules dictate that drivers, including 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 sign.
However, within the City of Kingston there are no designated pedestrian crossovers (as pictured above), only courtesy crossings, which do not apply to the new rules.
Additionally, these new rules do not apply to pedestrian crosswalks at intersections with stop signs or traffic signals, unless a school crossing guard is present.
While there are mid-block pedestrian signals found in Kingston, such as near the Medical Arts building at 800 Princess Street, Frontenac High School on Bath Road and Queen’s Performing Arts Centre on King Street West, these again do not meet the definition of a pedestrian crossover and are already fully controlled by a traffic signal.
To summarize, these new rules concerning the City of Kingston will only affect areas that are controlled by a school crossing guard, whether at an intersection or a mid-block location. A motorist or cyclist in these locations must wait until pedestrians have completely crossed the entire roadway, not just the lane in which they are intending to drive.
Fines can range from $150 to $500 and will add three demerit points to one’s driving record if found guilty.
For more information, check out the MTO link and the City of Kingston – Courtesy Crossing link.
Release source: Kingston Police on Facebook | Image: MTO
