Stopping at a crosswalk when the lights are flashing does not only save you a few dollars in your wallet but it can save a life. 

RCMP Community Constable Dennis Redikop says some safety concerns have been brought to their attention of people not stopping at pedestrian crosswalks specifically on Mackenzie Avenue near the two schools. He notes it's very important for motorists to pay attention when they come up to a crosswalk even if they don't see anyone or if the lights aren't flashing. 

"You never know if a child, a student or even an adult might pop up and cross the crosswalk. There could obviously be some serious injuries when a motorist doesn’t see a person walking across and it’s just very important to pay attention when coming across a crosswalk. So slow down, look both ways and make sure it’s safe to cross and just pay attention to your surroundings."

Redikop adds it's especially important to be cautious as we head into the winter months and streets become potentially very slippery.

"It’s very important to slow down and stop sooner so that if a pedestrian jumps out in front of you, you have enough time stop or even when you come up to a stop sign or a red light, you have time to slow down and stop. They’re not ideal conditions and so you have to be more aware of the road conditions."

Redikop notes the fine for failing to yield the way to a pedestrian at a pedestrian corridor is $175.30. He explains pedestrians have responsibilities as well when it comes to crossing the street. Redikop says people should only be crossing the street where a crosswalk is designed or at an intersection. 

"When pedestrians don’t follow the rules, doesn’t mean that the motorist can just have the right of way going down Mackenzie where there is no crosswalk and then a collision happens. It’s still the motorist’s responsibility to make sure that everybody arrives safely, but when you get into an accident with a pedestrian, the pedestrian will have more injuries. So it’s the onus on the driver to watch their surroundings so that anybody can go to their destination in one piece."