li signais A recent letter from Lynn Valley resident Susan Hariecy describes a unique scenario involving herself and a single-minded pedes- trian. She writes: “Dear Shaun. A recent incident has left me rather confused on the protocol that should be used in this _ situation: if you come up a street to a light-controlled intersection and your fight is red and the pe edestrian light for cross traffic is showing “walk,” you would stop at the (sto ) line and wait. Then when the pedestrian light shows ‘wait’ you can advance (into cr through the crosswalk) to obtain a clear view of traffic. But what happens if, during this time, a pedestrian comes along, pushes the crossing button, and a new walk sign comes on?” The anecdote Susan ‘describes is not at all uncommon. She also refers to the fairly new-fangled contraption know as the “pedestrian recycle dystem” available at most major intersections on the North Shere where the “waik” sig- nal can be activated or reac- tivated within a finite time in the traffic lights’ cycle. : The ped-recycle, while handy for bi-pedal people, effectively reduces the opportunity for drivers to eke through a crosswalk without hindrance or worry to pedestrians therein. But that’s not the meat of the issue, for as every- thing Susan has thus far described is quite common and correct, the furtherance is not. She continues: “Do you let the pedestri- an cross either in front, since there is still enough room between the front of your car and the cdge ef the crosswalk, or behind your car if they so choose? Or do you attempt to back up and give them the whole cross- walk? Or — as in my case — is the pedestrian entitled to get up and walk across the hood of your car)” Each of Susan’s questions are answered in the mighty Motor Vehicle Act save for one, which I'll address momentarily. First off, it is illegal to stop your car in a crosswalk for the most part, and total- ly and completely illegal to reverse Over a crosswalk. However, since drivers in similar situation to Susan’s cannot be expected to hang behind a crosswalk and then guess/hope/pray and charge blindly into traffic, they are allowed — encour- aged -— to creep out for 2 better view. Obviously, you have to cross over the crosswalk to obtain this view. And, as Susan first described, leaving enough room for pedestrians to waik in front of you or behind you. is an apt way of dealing with this potential blockage. Basically, cars are not allowed to block a crosswalk ou’re either completely in front of or fully bekiad it, though we are given +: little latitude when it comes to partially blocking it. Also, there is a clever Lit- tle provision in the almighty Act which will let you stop and block a crosswalk only “when necessary to avoid conflict with traffic.” You can’t intentionally block it (besides, pedestrians are traffic too), but if things change and you're caught off guard, by all means stay put _ don’ t charge out lindly and don’t ever EVER back up. As for pedestrians, they are completely restricted to the confines of a crosswalk, north shore news — BAL TO Friday, July 17, 1998 — North Shore News — 41 THIS week traffic columnist Siiaun Conlin addresses the creeping problem of stopping ata crosswa alk. | it illegal to stop on er reverse over a crosswalk. ; according to the mighty MVA, which also explains why drivers are not to block the crossing area thereby forcing, pedestrians out-of: bounds. When in that cross- walk, moreover, pedestrians have right-of-way over all other traffic (and when out of that crosswalk, they’re fair game, heh heh heh). Now, as for a pedestrian confronted by a vehicle blocking the crosswalk, well, the Act fails a bit there. Normally, the mighty Motor Vehicle Act is rife with pro- visions of provisions of notwichstanding-chis conti- gency plans, but for this lit- tle scenario it merely states: *A pedestrian shall not leave a curb or other place of safe- ty and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close it is impracticable for the driver to yield the right of way.” So you see, while the almighty Act mentions the “path” of a vehicle it. does not mentien the vehicle. itself, so the jarhead who took a stroll across Susan’s Thigh ‘cost of dealer service. | “An Amazing 20% OFF n our already flow labour « 8S on any service. : BMW INSPECTION | ONLY $145” PLUS PARTS* INSPECTION il ONLY $225” PLUS PARTS* a s Offer expa S duly 3, 1998 BAW TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT - $192 INCLUDING PARTS & LABCUR* Rowers OTE AT 6 IE EES MARIS AE APS PRO ES EER RE BIG NES re-0 0 ned 3MW. & Mercedes Sales. Pe hood did nothing contrary to the Act (unless of course, he feft the curb at a moment when Susan found it imprac- ticable to yield to said jar- head). Of course, the MVA is not the only method of reg- ulating feats (feet?) of idio- cy. There’s common sense which advises us to lighten up if things don’t go our way. There’s Sesame Street episodes exuding the merits of “sharing.” There's also the Criminal Code of Canada in which wilfully damaging someone clse’s property can see you charged with “Mischief under $5,000 (or over five grand, depending on che car and/or your shoe size).” So. Drivers, don’t block crosswalks. Pedestzians, don’t be mischievous jar- heads. Can’ along? Be safe. t we ali just get BNCLUDES: am/Fiacassene = ff jire 4 cylinder engine . Electronic rear j“eeRaING AL ALSO AVANABEE Ss. NFS tk kK HK S sian SERV __ JAPANESE. CAR SPECIAL OVER 25 YEARS OF EX Sorth Vancouver | 984-4566 B.C.A.A. = ARA. 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