Crossovers give pedestrians options and drivers some warning

Pedestrians have always been told to use crosswalks at intersections and not to jaywalk but now there's a new provincial law allowing people to cross between intersections.

City staff in Sudbury are writing a report on where these so-called "crossovers" might be located.

"These devices are going to be for lower volume roads where you still have a significant number of pedestrians that need to cross the road, but they don't have the opportunity now at mid-block locations," said Joe Rocca from Greater Sudbury's Roads Department.

"This will give them the authority, the legislative backing, to cross at these spots."

The "crossovers" will be identified by specific signs, pavement markings and lights.

They were created in response to the Chief Coroner's Report on Pedestrian Deaths released in 2012, and are part of the Making Roads in Ontario Safer Act that came into effect Jan. 1.

Crossovers are ideal for areas where people try to cross even without proper signage and lighting, Rocca said.

"The goal is to provide the safest road network possible for all users of the road," he continued.

"At this time we have pedestrians who are crossing locations that may not be as safe as we would like. These devices will give us the opportunity to provide them safe response to cross."

Pedestrian Death Review