Waiting for Pedestrians to Cross
“As a pedestrian in Vancouver I am feeling increasingly at risk.” says a visitor to the DriveSmartBC web site. “Drivers want to maneuver behind pedestrians as soon as they can. What is the law about proceeding when the pedestrian is still on the street?”
This question has two answers, depending if the pedestrian is at an intersection with or without operational traffic lights.
If the scenario takes place at an intersection with traffic lights, a driver must yield to pedestrians crossing lawfully and then may proceed as soon as it is safe to do so. Drivers must always exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on the highway. In this situation, it would be wise for the driver to consider how closely they would appreciate vehicles to pass by them if the positions were reversed.
If this takes place at an intersection with no traffic lights or where the traffic lights are not in operation, a driver must not travel on the half of the highway occupied by the pedestrian or where the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the other half of the highway that the pedestrian would be in danger.
Reference Links:
Pedestrians at Risk from Turning Drivers – DriveSmartBC
Cst. Tim Schewe (Ret.) runs DriveSmartBC, a community web site about traffic safety in British Columbia. For 25 years he was an officer with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, including five years on general duty, 20 in traffic and 10 as a collision analyst responsible of conducting technical investigations of collisions. He retired from policing in 2006 but continues to be active in traffic safety through the DriveSmartBC web site, teaching seminars and contributing content to newspapers and web sites.
What is the fine to pedestrians who run across the street in the middle of a block, or cross at a crosswalk contratry to traffic signals?
Hi Annon, thanks for your question.
The fines for jaywalking and other pedestrian offences are generally set by municipal or provincial bylaws and vary from region to region. For example, in Ontario, the fine for failing to use a crosswalk, disobeying a “Don’t Walk” signal and other offences under the Highway Traffic Act is $35. In Vancouver jaywalking carries a $100 fine. In Edmonton, it nets a $250 fine.
I appreciate that the officer may have some constraints as to what advice to give drivers, however his answer that “a driver must yield to pedestrians crossing lawfully and then may proceed as soon as it is safe to do so.” is almost comical. LAWFULLY?? I am a pedestrian and a driver. I stop at crosswalks, either walking or driving and look before proceeding. I see many pedestrians who are so preoccupied or in such a hurry they forget that stopping a human being of 70-150 KG is far easier than stopping a vehicle of 1000 KG. It is common knowledge in Vancouver that “Pedestrians have the right of way”; this does not mean that all responsibility should rest with vehicle operators. Be aware, look around, obey the signs and stop expecting the other person to be responsible for your action. Driver OR Pedestrian.