Drivers in North Bay can expect increased police presence at pedestrian crossings as the NBPS rolls out a new safety initiative aimed at reducing injuries and deaths. The campaign will combine education with enforcement around the city’s marked crossovers
The North Bay Police Service is rolling out a targeted awareness-and-enforcement campaign aimed at improving compliance at pedestrian crossovers. Officers will be watching motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians while reinforcing the rules designed to reduce injuries and fatalities.
“Reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities on our streets is a key priority,” says a release. “The NBPS remains committed to education initiatives and enforcement strategies to enhance pedestrian safety. Collision data analysis has shown that pedestrian fatalities represent a significant proportion of collision-related deaths within our community.”
North Bay has installed pedestrian crossovers at:
Main Street: between Sherbrooke and Wyld streets, Wyld and Ferguson streets, and Ferguson and Fraser Street
Oak Street West: between Fraser Street and Ferguson Street, near the North Bay Museum
Police are reminding drivers to yield to pedestrians at crossovers which are clearly marked with signs, road markings, and sometimes lights.
The City has a variety of crossings, each with distinct rules for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Crosswalks, crossovers, and school crossings all have different levels of responsibility and requirements.
What is a Crosswalk?
Indicated with stop signs, traffic signals, or pedestrian signals.
Drivers and cyclists must wait until pedestrians have cleared a portion of the roadway before proceeding, except when a crossing guard is present.
At school crossings, drivers must wait until both pedestrians and the crossing guard have cleared the entire roadway.
What is a Crossover?
Indicated by pavement markings, signage, and sometimes pedestrian push buttons or overhead lights
Drivers and cyclists must wait for pedestrians to cross the entire roadway before proceeding
Pedestrian Rules:
Use the push button to activate flashing lights where available.
Look both ways and make eye contact with drivers to ensure vehicles see you before entering.
If a vehicle is too close to stop safely, wait for it to pass before entering.
Only cross when it is safe.
Exercise care even when lawfully within the crossing and having right-of-way.
Driver Rules:
Stop fully if a pedestrian is waiting to cross.
Remain stopped until pedestrians have fully crossed the roadway.
Once pedestrians have crossed, proceed with caution and remain alert for other road users.
Cyclist Rules:
Dismount and walk the bike when using a crossover.
When riding with traffic, follow the same rules as drivers.
Fines:
Drivers: Up to $1,000 and four demerit points for failing to yield at a pedestrian crosswalk
Cyclists: $85 fine for failing to dismount and walk across a crossover; riding through a crossover carries the same fines as drivers, as bicycles are considered vehicles under the Highway Traffic Act
Pedestrians: $35 fine for moving into the path of a vehicle too close to stop safely