The Municipality of Mississippi Mills has several pedestrian crossovers (PXO) in our community. A PXO is a designated crosswalk allowing pedestrians to safely cross roads where no traffic signals are present.

PXOs feature overhead lights warning drivers and cyclists that pedestrians are intending to cross when overhead and side-mounted flashing lights are activated by a push button.

Here are some tips for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to keep in mind.

What drivers should know

  • Use extra caution when approaching a PXO. Watch for flashing lights and pedestrians standing at the roadside and be prepared to stop.

  • Drivers must obey the flashing lights and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within the crossover for the entire width of the PXO.

  • Operate your vehicle in a PXO area at a speed which will allow you to stop safely.

  • Make eye contact with pedestrians, if possible.

  • Be patient. Inclement weather, young children and older adults might be factors to reduce walking speed.

  • Remain alert before continuing to drive and look for other pedestrians who may enter the PXO.

  • Do not change lanes when approaching a PXO. No passing laws are in effect within 30 metres of a crossover.

What pedestrians should know

  • Push the button to activate the PXO lights, but remember to stand back from the roadway while waiting to cross.

  • Stop and look for a break in traffic before attempting to cross, in order to allow vehicles proper time to stop safely.

  • When walking, proceed with caution and make sure the lane is safe to cross. Keep in mind that larger vehicles may block you from being seen by other drivers.

  • Make eye contact with drivers, if possible.

  • Proceed promptly through the PXO but don’t run. By running you risk tripping and falling in the middle of the road.

  • Obey crossing guards and stopped school buses.

  • Be courteous and don’t stand near the curb at a PXO unless you intend to use it. This could cause drivers to brake unexpectedly and potentially lead to a collision.

What cyclists should know

  • Cyclists must dismount when crossing a PXO.

  • Just like drivers, cyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crossover and can only continue after pedestrians have cleared the entire width of the crossing.

Fines

Drivers failing to yield at a PXO could face a fine of up to $1,000 and four demerit points.

These fines are doubled in Community Safety Zones near schools and public areas.