Motorists, Pedestrians Reminded to Take Care At Crosswalks, Intersections

As students gear up for summer vacation, the province is urging both motorists and pedestrians to pay attention around crosswalks and intersections.

"This is a busy time of year on our roads as students are out of school, tourists are visiting and people are out enjoying the weather," said Bill Estabrooks, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "It's important that motorists and pedestrians remember that crosswalk safety is a shared responsibility."

The province and Halifax Regional Municipality have launched a crosswalk safety campaign. Television advertisements will run provincewide to remind pedestrians and motorists of the rules at intersections and crosswalks.

"We are pleased to join forces with the province on this campaign," said Roddy MacIntyre, transportation engineer with Halifax Regional Municipality. "This partnership is important to our ongoing efforts to improve crosswalk safety."

For more information on crosswalk safety and to see the ads, visit the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .

Last June, the province introduced amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act to help clarify the responsibilities of pedestrians and drivers about crosswalk safety.

The crosswalk safety campaign is one of several provincial initiatives to improve road safety, including amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act clarifying the responsibilities of pedestrians and drivers, a ban on hand-held cellphones, and legislation to combat street racing.