New Rules of the Road in effect today

[Mr Bret]

The new rules that come into effect today seem to make sense. I don't think they'll have much impact on me personally, so no worries.

http://news.ontario.ca/mto/en/2015/08/new-rules-of-the-road-effective-september-1-2015.html

The one that I'm "worried" about is the one that will come into effect on Jan 1, 2016.
School crossings I get. No problem. Children's safety is paramount.
But at regular crosswalks? I've been watching lately to see how many turns I would not legally be able to make if I wait for the crossing to be completely free of pedestrians and many times, I wouldn't have gotten to go.
if they don't adjust how the pedestrian crossing lights are timed with respect to the traffic lights, there will be huge traffic congestion at many intersections.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[tsgarp101]

The law applies to "Crossovers" not Crosswalks. Crosswalks are the lateral extensions of the curbs at signalized intersections.

“pedestrian crossover” means any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs on the highway and lines or other markings on the surface of the roadway as prescribed by the regulations - these are the crossings in the middle of the road - those with the large X's over top and crossings found by most public schools.

I wish the media would use the proper terms and maybe take and extra several seconds to explain the difference. It is the "crossovers" that this new law applies too.

 

[red]

I thought dooring a cyclist would be a way to reduce the number of points for a driver

 

[Yoga Face]

I thought dooring a cyclist would be a way to reduce the number of points for a driver

what if bike comes from behind you then veers out as you are opening the door

 

[Mr Bret]

The law applies to "Crossovers" not Crosswalks. Crosswalks are the lateral extensions of the curbs at signalized intersections.

“pedestrian crossover” means any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by signs on the highway and lines or other markings on the surface of the roadway as prescribed by the regulations - these are the crossings in the middle of the road - those with the large X's over top and crossings found by most public schools.

I wish the media would use the proper terms and maybe take and extra several seconds to explain the difference. It is the "crossovers" that this new law applies too.

My bad. I misused "crosswalks" when in fact I should have used "crossovers".

Having read your post, the upcoming new law makes more sense to me now.

Thank you for having educated me today.

Having said that, I'd be curious to know how many people thought as I did that crosswalks and crossovers were the same things.

 

[MissCroft]

Having said that, I'd be curious to know how many people thought as I did that crosswalks and crossovers were the same things.

I didn't know the difference.

 

[rhuarc29]

The one I'm calling bullshit on is the leaving 1-m when passing cyclists.

I already try hard to leave space when passing a cyclist. Now that it's the law, are cyclists also required to observe it by leaving 1-m of space when passing?

Didn't think so.

Selective rules of the road....

 

[GameBoy27]

Drivers must leave a one-metre distance when passing cyclists or face a $110* fine and two demerit points.

How are they going to enforce this? Is it 1 metre from your door handle or tip of your mirror? What if you're driving along leaving the incredibly hard distance (to either judge or measure) of 1 metre and the cyclist drifts closer to your vehicle, but since they're towards the rear of your car you don't see them get closer but a police offer happens to? Busted I guess.

I see we were thinking the same thing rhuarc29.

 

[huckfinn]

The one I'm calling bullshit on is the leaving 1-m when passing cyclists.

I already try hard to leave space when passing a cyclist. Now that it's the law, are cyclists also required to observe it by leaving 1-m of space when passing?

Didn't think so.

Selective rules of the road....

Actually that's a great idea......it should stop the cyclist from making their way to the front of the line when waiting for a light. They would have to hold their position in the line.

 

[SkyRider]

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/203626/10-actors-who-killed-people-in-real-life/

4 of the 9 actors on the list killed people while driving a motor vehicle. I excluded Boothe because he didn't have an auto to drive.

Then there are the actors who were killed in auto accidents. James Dean probably most famous. Paul Walker also.

 

[basketcase]

The one I'm calling bullshit on is the leaving 1-m when passing cyclists.
....

Bullshit as in the law is not reported correctly or bullshit in terms of announcing your refusal to follow the law?

And yes, I would like to see cyclists follow the law too but we all know that they are lower on the radar than vehicles.

 

[Patts]

All this hate for cyclists. I'm curious to know how many protesters ride a bicycle at least weekly, if not monthly. Cyclists need more protection. That's my opinion, and I live in the burbs and drive everywhere (I pretty much have to).

Cyclists are not given the same freedoms on the road, so I don't expect them to follow exactly the same rules. Until they are allowed to freely occupy the middle of the lane such that they completely occupy it like a car or truck where passing cannot be done (which is a very bad idea for the record), I think they should be given special consideration and laws for protection. I don't think I need to post links to youtube videos showing how hard it is for cyclists to stay on "dedicated" bike lanes, when you can find them.

I have more trouble, ideologically, with motorcyclists who weave between cars during traffic jams and rush hour than with cyclists.

Sure, there are bad cyclists as there are bad drivers. But even when I used to drive d/t fairly regularly for work, I would more often have road rage towards other drivers than cyclists.

 

[explorerzip]

Just in time for a multi vehicle accident this morning closing 3 lanes on the eastbound 401 express lanes.

 

[fuji]

Actually that's a great idea......it should stop the cyclist from making their way to the front of the line when waiting for a light. They would have to hold their position in the line.

Why does this bother you?

 

[TeeJay]

I see nothing wrong with dooring a cyclist (idiot shouldn't be so close to car, the 2 laws contradict each other; If I am parked, he should be 1M away from car hence no door impact)

And admit it, in rush hour we all tend to creep over pushing cyclists out of way (except again for the idiots who end up getting run over)

 

[fuji]

I see nothing wrong with dooring a cyclist (idiot shouldn't be so close to car, the 2 laws contradict each other; If I am parked, he should be 1M away from car hence no door impact)

And admit it, in rush hour we all tend to creep over pushing cyclists out of way (except again for the idiots who end up getting run over)

You belong in prison. That is aggravated assault with a weapon, not a mere traffic violation.

Society would be better off without you.

 

[huckfinn]

Why does this bother you?

I think its dangerous for the cyclist, as when the light changes it is difficult for the cars to pass them again, especially on a 4 lane road.

 

[rhuarc29]

Bullshit as in the law is not reported correctly or bullshit in terms of announcing your refusal to follow the law?

I see two problems with the law. One, no cop is going to be there with a metre stick to see if you're observing the law to the "T", so it's going to be a subjective call on his part. Two, it applies only to drivers and not cyclists.

Like I said, I already observe the law for the most part; maybe I'm occasionally slightly within 1-m. I highly doubt I'll ever get caught by this law. I just think the law is unsound and biased.

I've said before that I have a negative opinion of cyclists. They blatantly break the rules of the road and most seem to find this acceptable, whereas a driver would get skewered. Cyclists are their own worst enemy at putting themselves in danger. Their behaviour is a far-cry from how I was taught to cycle, teachings that have stuck with me to this day and which I still observe. I feel the same way towards drivers who don't follow the rules of the road, but the percentage of drivers who commit blatant offenses is ridiculously lower than cyclists.

 

[SkyRider]

I feel the same way towards drivers who don't follow the rules of the road, but the percentage of drivers who commit blatant offenses is ridiculously lower than cyclists.

The risk to life and limbs is far greater when a motorist breaks the rule.

 

[DB123]

All this hate for cyclists. I'm curious to know how many protesters ride a bicycle at least weekly, if not monthly. Cyclists need more protection. That's my opinion, and I live in the burbs and drive everywhere (I pretty much have to).

Cyclists are not given the same freedoms on the road, so I don't expect them to follow exactly the same rules. Until they are allowed to freely occupy the middle of the lane such that they completely occupy it like a car or truck where passing cannot be done (which is a very bad idea for the record), I think they should be given special consideration and laws for protection. I don't think I need to post links to youtube videos showing how hard it is for cyclists to stay on "dedicated" bike lanes, when you can find them.

I have more trouble, ideologically, with motorcyclists who weave between cars during traffic jams and rush hour than with cyclists.

Sure, there are bad cyclists as there are bad drivers. But even when I used to drive d/t fairly regularly for work, I would more often have road rage towards other drivers than cyclists.

Sorry, but fuck cyclists. As in any group, there are of course some who are considerate and not only obey rules but do their best to ease the negative impact on others. Cyclists, by and large do not.

Granted they are operating in smaller spaces with more fluid movements, particularly in traffic congestion, but too many of these fuckers weave in and out without looking, without helmets, without a care in the world because they are the small, the weak, the persecuted. They can do what they want.

You want to ride your little bike on city streets, you should have to have insurance. You should need a license plate for identification purposes, you should ACTUALLY be subject to penalties for problems your careless bullshit actions cause. You should be fined, every time, for not wearing a helmet.

Geese, I'll give a pass because I assume they don't know no better. Cyclists want rights and protection? Pay up like the rest of us and be accountable.

Fuck cyclists