Enhanced Legislation First Step In Improving Crosswalk Safety

The province will introduce a series of legislative changes during the fall sitting of the legislature as a first step in making provincial crosswalks safer.

The changes will be based on recommendations in the interim report of the Crosswalk Safety Task Force. The report, released today, Sept. 6, concluded that legislation can be improved by clarifying the shared responsibility and expected actions of drivers and pedestrians to make crosswalks safer.

Transportation and Public Works Minister Angus MacIsaac said introducing amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act is an important step to improve crosswalk safety.

"Clarifying the present legislation will enable the development of easily understood educational materials and effective enforcement strategies," said Mr. MacIsaac. "The proposed amendments will remove any confusion about the roles and responsibilities of both pedestrians and motorists at crosswalks."

Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Peter Kelly said the proposed legislation changes will play an important role to make crosswalks safer in all provincial municipalities.

"Now that the task force has dealt with the legislative changes needed, it can focus on the more tangible aspects of improving crosswalk safety, such as public education and information tools, improved enforcement strategies and the engineering aspects of making crosswalks more visible to pedestrians and motorists alike," Mayor Kelly said.

"We thank the task force for their work to date, and look forward to reviewing their final recommendations."

"While we're taking action this fall based on this interim report," said Mr. MacIsaac, "we look forward receiving the committee's final report, where we expect to see further recommendations that directly address the concerns heard from the public."

The full text of the interim report is available at www.gov.ns.ca/tran/ .