SAULT STE. MARIE – The City of Sault Ste. Marie and the local police service have introduced four new pedestrian crossovers as a way to enhance pedestrian safety.
“The new crossovers utilize a painted ladder pavement markings that identify the crossing area, outline a clear place for motorists and cyclists to stop and provide roadside signs, flashing lights and overhead signage,” said Carl Rumiel, the city’s manager of design, transportation and engineering, in a release.
The idea is to give pedestrians a safe way to get to the other side of the street in areas where there is no intersection.
When a pedestrian pushes the button at a crossover to indicate they want to cross, they must wait until motorists and cyclists approaching the area come to a complete stop.
All traffic must remain stopped until pedestrians reach the sidewalk on the opposite side of the road. Drivers that fail to do this could face a fine of $365 and lose four demerit points.
Traffic Sergeant Ray Magnan with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Services said jaywalking and pedestrian collisions are always of concern to police.
“A lot of our collisions involving pedestrians are pedestrians crossing not at crosswalks or at crossovers. So it’s important to have safe means for pedestrians to cross in all areas of town,” said Magnan.
According to the police service, there were 20 reported motor vehicle collisions involving a pedestrian this year to date. And recently there was one pedestrian fatality.
Magnan adds that while these crossovers are new to the city, it’s important for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to make sure they understand the law and how to use them.
Pedestrian crossovers are located at Queen Street East and Churchill Boulevard and Wellington Street West at Beverly Street.
Two additional crossovers will be installed later this year at St. Georges Avenue near St. Basil Catholic School and Bay Street at Spring Street.
