What Are the Crosswalk Rules in Ontario?

Ontario's Highway Traffic Act requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian who is in a crosswalk or who is about to enter the crosswalk. This means you must slow down and stop in time for the pedestrian to cross safely. You cannot proceed until the pedestrian has cleared your lane and is safely out of your path.

Failing to yield to a pedestrian at a crosswalk is a serious offence in Ontario. The penalty is a fine of $150 to $500 and three demerit points added to your driving record. For novice drivers (G1 or G2), accumulating demerit points has additional consequences that can lead to a licence suspension.

Pedestrians also have obligations at crosswalks. They must not suddenly leave the curb and step in front of a vehicle that is so close it cannot stop in time. Pedestrians crossing at an intersection must use the crosswalk when one is present within 30 metres. Jaywalking (crossing mid-block away from a crosswalk) carries a fine of $35 to $50.

Crosswalks in Ontario come in several forms: painted crosswalks at intersections, mid-block pedestrian crossovers (PXOs) marked with signs and yellow lines, and school crossings supervised by crossing guards. At pedestrian crossovers, all vehicles and cyclists must yield as soon as a pedestrian steps onto the crossover.

Many drivers make the error of proceeding once the pedestrian has cleared their lane but before checking whether a second pedestrian is stepping off the opposite curb. You must wait until the crosswalk is fully clear in your direction of travel. Rushing through after one pedestrian has passed is a frequent cause of near-misses and infractions.