Pedestrians and crosswalks

By the end of this topic you can

• You can spot marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• You can yield correctly to pedestrians when going straight and turning.
• You can apply Ontario's crossover and school crossing rule.
• You can adjust your driving in school zones and near children.
• You can give extra care to seniors and people with visual or mobility impairments.

What you need to know and understand

• Crosswalks at intersections are not always marked with painted lines, but you must still yield there.
• When turning on a green light, you must yield to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.
• In Ontario, at pedestrian crossovers and school crossings with a crossing guard, you must wait until pedestrians and the guard have completely crossed the road.
• In Ontario, passing within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover is not allowed.
• A white cane or guide dog means the person may be blind or partially sighted.
• In Ontario, community safety zones mark areas of special pedestrian risk and carry increased fines.
• School zone speed limits and times are set locally and shown on the signs.

Where pedestrians have the right of way

• At marked crosswalks, with or without signals.
• At unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
• At pedestrian crossovers (Ontario), marked by crossover signs and double white lines with an X in each approaching lane.
• At school crossings controlled by a crossing guard.
• When you are turning across their path on a green light or walk signal.
• On sidewalks, when you are entering or leaving a driveway or lane.

Approaching a crosswalk, step by step

1. Scan the sidewalks and corners early for anyone who might cross.
2. Ease off so you can stop before the crosswalk if needed.
3. Stop at the stop line or before the crosswalk, not on it.
4. In Ontario crossovers and guarded school crossings, wait until people have fully reached the sidewalk.
5. Check again before moving, especially for people hidden by other vehicles.
6. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian.

School zones and children

School zones are marked with the five-sided fluorescent yellow-green sign. Lower speed limits often apply during set hours, shown on the sign. Children can dart out between parked cars and may not judge your speed, so slow down and cover your brake near schools and playgrounds, especially at the start and end of the school day.

People who need more time

Seniors, people using wheelchairs or walkers, and people who are blind or partially sighted may take longer to cross. Be patient. Do not honk or rev your engine, and do not stop so far into the crosswalk that you block their path.

Common mistakes

• Looking only for cars when turning. Check the crosswalk you are about to drive through.
• Passing a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. Someone may be crossing in front of it.
• Moving off at an Ontario crossover once the person has passed your lane. Wait until they have fully crossed.
• Driving at normal speed through a school zone during school hours.

Test yourself: Pedestrians and crosswalks

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.