CORNWALL, Ontario – New traffic laws that came into effect on Jan. 1 mean Cornwall motorists have to wait for all students to completely cross a street – with the help of a crossing guard – before proceeding.
Some in Ontario have been complaining about getting crossed up at crossovers and crosswalks as new provincial legislation went live in 2016. New rules about just what constitutes as cross walk and a crossover, and who is allowed to proceed when, has created consternation in some circles.
But the good news for Cornwall is the new rules only apply at crossing where young people are making their way to and from school property with the help of a crossing guard. We no longer have any crossovers (like the one on Montreal Road near Nativity Co-Cathedral that was replaced with traffic lights) that are creating headaches in other parts of Ontario.
In Cornwall, though, only when pedestrians and school crossing guards are safely on the sidewalk, can drivers and cyclists proceed.
If the crossing guard is not present it is business as usual, said Cornwall police Const. Matt Dupuis.
He added officers will be issuing tickets if they find a motorist contravening the new rule.
“If we get a complaint then we’d investigate it,” said Dupuis. “They should be stopping for the crossing guard anyway.”
Drivers will be fined $150 to $500 and three 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 $1,000.
Fines are doubled in community safety zones, near schools and public areas. These areas are clearly marked with signs.
Dupuis said for the most part local drivers are a safe bunch and yield for crossing guards much of the time.
“Many people are used to seeing the crossing guards out,” he said.
