Starting January 1st, 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.

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.

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. Learn more about how to stay safe as a pedestrian and as a driver by checking out all the details here.