Three Pedestrian Fatalities

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County detachment is reminding all motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists that they have a shared responsibility in keeping everyone safe while traveling on Ontario roadways.

Between December of 2015 and January of 2016, the Norfolk County OPP responded to several motor vehicle collisions including three fatalities involving pedestrians.

Starting January 1, 2016, 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 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 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.

It is up to both drivers and pedestrians to keep everyone safe on Ontario roads.

Cross only at marked crosswalks or traffic lights. Don’t cross in the middle of the block or between parked cars.

Make sure drivers see you before you cross. If the driver is stopped, make eye contact before you step into the road.

Wear bright or light-coloured clothing or reflective strips, especially at dusk or when it’s dark.

At a traffic light:

Cross when traffic has come to a complete stop.

Begin to cross at the start of the green light or “Walk” signal, where provided.

Do not start to cross if you see a flashing “Do Not Walk” symbol or the light turns yellow. If you already started to cross, complete your crossing in safety.

Never cross on a red light.

Watch for traffic turning at intersections or turning into and leaving driveways.

Pay special attention to pedestrians as you drive. Here are some tips to follow:

Always look for pedestrians, especially when turning.

Watch for children. Drive slowly and cautiously through school zones, residential areas, or any other area where children could be walking or playing.

Watch out for Community Safety Zone signs that indicate areas where public safety is a special concern, including the possibility of encountering pedestrians.

Be patient, especially with seniors or pedestrians with disabilities who need more time to cross the road.

Drive carefully near streetcar stops with islands or zones for passengers getting on and off. Pass them at reasonable speeds, and always be ready in case pedestrians make sudden or unexpected moves.

Drivers will be fined $150 to $500 and 3 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 – a practice that puts pedestrians at risk – is $200 to $1000.

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

Show your children how to cross a road safely. Teach them to:

Stay to the side of the road, walking as far away from traffic as they safely can

Stop at the edge of the sidewalk, and look both ways before crossing the road

Take extra care on roadways that have no curbs

Watch out for blind corners (for example, a car coming out of an alley may not see a child pedestrian about to cross).

“By working together with drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists, we can reduce unnecessary collisions that cause injuries and loss of life on our roadways. We all have a shared responsibility,” comments Inspector Zvonko Horvat, Norfolk County OPP Detachment Commander.

Over 150,000 Monthly Readers! 1 Million+ Across the entire FreePress Network.