New Timmins pedestrian crossing prompts safety reminders from city, police

An undated image of a crosswalk sign with a man walking on yellow with a cloudy sky background. (File photo/GettyImages)

The City of Timmins has added a new pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Mountjoy Street South and the Terry Fox Trail, officials announced this week. The crossing, marked by painted lines and signage, does not include traffic lights or push buttons, leading to some confusion among drivers.

In a social media post Monday, the city noted a “surprising number” of public messages reporting that motorists appeared unsure of how to proceed when encountering the crossing.

“You stop,” the city put simply in their post. “In Ontario, under the Highway Traffic Act, you must stop and wait until pedestrians have fully crossed at pedestrian crossings, school crossings and with crossing guards.”

Local police issue warning after reports of drivers failing to stop

The Timmins Police Service reinforced the message a day later in their own social media post, stating they had received complaints of motorists neglecting to yield to pedestrians. The police service reminded the public that failing to stop at a marked crossover carries significant penalties – including a $730 fine, four demerit points and a charge for failing to stop at crossover in a community safety zone.

“This law is in place to protect the safety of pedestrians and ensure our roads and trails are safe for everyone,” police said. “Please be alert, slow down, and stop for pedestrians.”

Safety tips for pedestrians

Authorities urged pedestrians to remain cautious when using the new crossing.

“Look both ways before crossing the street,” the city advised, adding that at intersections with signals, walkers should wait for the “walk” symbol or audible cue before proceeding.

Police echoed the call for shared responsibility.

“Let’s work together to keep our community safe,” they said.