New pedestrian crossover, student crossing rules require drivers to wait

Morning North4:38New rules for pedestrian crossovers and school crossings

Have you heard of the provinces new road rules? The province is changing the rules for drivers at crossovers and school crossing. We had Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Carolle Dionne tell us everything you need to know about the changes.

New provincial legislation is now in place that will impact you on the road and on foot.

It's now mandatory for drivers and cyclists to stop for the entire time it takes a pedestrian to navigate a crossover or a school crossing with a guard.

Drivers could be fined up to $500 for disobeying the new rules, and they could also lose three demerit points.

Ontario Provincial Police Sergeant Carolle Dionne saidenforcement will be stepped up to make sure the laws are being followed.

"We are committed to using the new laws as an enhanced deterrent in reducing pedestrian-related injuries and fatalities," she told CBC News.

"We investigate so many of these each year and it's important that we keep our pedestrians safer."

Dionne saidroad safety is a shared responsibility and pedestrians, drivers and cyclists need to be courteous to each other, and share the road.

Pedestrians have a role in making sure the new laws are enforced properly. Dionne said they need to make sure "that, when they do decide to start crossing, they don't start crossing when the lights are flashing, [and] don't walk or cross at a red light. They have a big role to play in their personal safety as well."

The new law applies to crossovers and school crossings where there is a guard.

Crossovers are not the same as a crosswalks. They are marked by specific signs, overhead lights, and push buttons.