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Pedestrian crossingCanada

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Canada. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Canada

18. Pedestrian crossing

A pedestrian crossing is a designated place where pedestrians may cross a road. It is commonly indicated by road markings, traffic signs, signals or a combination of these measures.

Drivers must approach with appropriate caution and give way when required by local law. Pedestrians must also observe approaching traffic and follow any pedestrian signals or instructions from authorised traffic controllers.

Pedestrian crossing
Pedestrian crossing on Île Sainte-Hélène near the Jacques Cartier Bridge. (Montreal, Quebec, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Andrevruas • CC BY-SA
When must drivers give way at a pedestrian crossing in Canada?

Rules vary by province and territory. In Ontario, drivers and cyclists must stop for pedestrians at a designated pedestrian crossover and wait until they have reached the pavement safely. School-crossing guards and pedestrians must clear the whole roadway before traffic proceeds at a guarded school crossing. Follow the signals at signal-controlled crossings.

🔗 ontario.ca • Canada, Ontario MTO Driver’s Handbook, Stopping

Are all pedestrian crossings controlled the same way in Canada?

No. In Ontario, nearly all intersections have crosswalks, including ones without painted markings. A designated pedestrian crossover has its own signs and stopping rules; it is different from an advance warning sign or an ordinary signal-controlled crosswalk. Other provinces and territories have their own definitions and controls.

🔗 ontario.ca • Canada, Ontario MTO Driver’s Handbook, Sharing the road with other road users; 🔗 ontario.ca • Canada, Ontario MTO Driver’s Handbook, Stopping

May I enter a pedestrian crossing if the road beyond it is blocked in Canada?

Keep the crossing clear until there is room beyond it. In Ontario, do not pass another vehicle within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover, and never pass a vehicle stopped to let pedestrians cross. Do not treat a clear-looking adjacent lane as permission to pass. Check the applicable provincial or territorial rules elsewhere.

🔗 ontario.ca • Canada, Ontario MTO Truck Handbook, Stopping for pedestrian crossovers; 🔗 files.ontario.ca • Canada, Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Cycling Skills, 2021 edition

1 Canada 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next junction 34 Traffic lights 35 Traffic lights warning 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Reversing 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled crossroad 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Caravan 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ...