Roger-Luc Chayer
The zebra crossing for dummies is also for everyone, not only for dummies, although in this area, it rains tons in Montreal, because no one has ever really bothered to explain what exactly is a zebra crossing?
Of a fairly recent origin, there was a time when pedestrian crossings were indicated by two rows of domed nails about 10 cm in diameter, whose stem was wedged between the pavers, or sunk into the pavement of the roadway. The zebra crossings were introduced in Switzerland in 1932. (Wikipedia)
In our modern era, nails have been replaced with strips of paint that indicate where pedestrians and cyclists can cross with priority. But the priority is not to be able to go as it please by causing accidents, as it almost happened in May, while I was traveling on the Plateau-Mont-Royal.
I drove just 30km / h that day, there was also a lot of traffic when, arriving on a zebra crossing, a girl appears in front of my truck and knocks on the hood showing his displeasure. She was jogging with headphones in her ears.
Surprised by her gesture, I came down from my vehicle to ask her if she was suicidal! And the aggressive Queen of the Plateau to answer me that it was a zebra crossing, it had priority and it was up to me to brake. Yes, but now, there are rules my dear lady must explain to you I tried to tell him, without success, she did not want to hear anything and left to continue his suicide attempts in the streets of Montreal.
We do not cross a pedestrian crossing anyhow. By not respecting the rules, a person who does not stop before crossing could cause an accident, cause injury to people and be financially responsible for his actions. On the page of the Quebec Automobile Insurance Company, it says that the Highway Safety Code defines the use of a zebra crossing: « The pedestrian has priority over drivers and cyclists, who must give way. On the other hand, he must make sure that he can cross safely, that is to say that the vehicles and the cyclists have seen him and that they give him the passage. »
It’s a bit like an automobile using its turn signal to signal its intention to turn right. This is not because the flashing is running that the driver does not have the obligation to watch before turning! He signals, observes and if the maneuver is safe, he can turn.
Same thing with pedestrians wishing to cross a zebra crossing. First you have to stop at the edge of the sidewalk. By placing himself in this way, he manifests his intention to cross and when the vehicles see the person, they can stop and let it pass. The person must make sure that the vehicles are stopped and not stupidly cross by imposing itself to the circulation!
If we go back to the case of the Queen of the Plateau, so enraged at the idea that I could have rolled over her because Madame was running from the park and I should have seen her and at the same time, vehicles behind me, if a police officer had been present, she would have received a ticket for her reckless act that had potential for significant consequences.