It's the Law

Under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act, pedestrians and drivers have specific responsibilities in a crosswalk, whether marked or not.

The Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle or the pedestrian from the duty to exercise due care.

DRIVERS:

• The driver of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $394.50.
• Whenever a vehicle has stopped at a crosswalk or at an intersection to yield to a pedestrian, it shall be an offence for the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear to overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. Drivers who do so may incur a fine of $394.50.
• The Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act provides the Registry of Motor Vehicles with the discretionary action to request a driver to undergo a medical examination, take a defensive driving course or even suspend the driver's license when involved in a pedestrian collision.

PEDESTRIANS:

• Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the highway. Failure to do so may result in a fine of $394.50.
• At an intersection where traffic is controlled by traffic signals, it shall be an offence for a pedestrian to disobey the instruction of any traffic signal. Disobeying the traffic signal may result in a fine of $164.50.

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