Pedestrian hurt on Carmen's Way. Driver charged

CITY POLICE

NEWS RELEASE

************************* A collision occurred on Saturday at 12:09 p.m. at Second Line West and Carmen’s Way.

It is alleged that the driver of a Chev pickup was merging from Carmen’s Way onto Second Line West at the yield sign and struck a pedestrian who was crossing westbound in the crosswalk with the right of way.

The pedestrian was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver charged in this collision was 26-year-old Alfonso Aceti of 636 John Street.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is reminding pedestrians and motorists of some basic safety tips to help keep our roadways safe:

There have been a number of collisions in the past few weeks involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.

The collisions have been as a result of a combination of either drivers or pedestrians not yielding the right of way to each other.

As both parties are utilizing the roadways they are reminded of their obligations under the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario.

As a general rule, both drivers and pedestrians should be aware of each other and not take for granted the actions of each other.

Extra caution and care should be used by both pedestrians and motorists at intersections and in and around areas where pedestrians are likely to cross the roadway.

Pedestrian safety reminder for motorists: - Yield to pedestrians at crossings. - Be patient, and especially with young children or elderly pedestrians who need more time to cross the road. - Be especially careful where children might be walking - near schools, day cares and pathways.

- Always watch for pedestrians, especially when entering an intersection, at night and while turning.

- Stay out of crosswalks when waiting at intersections - stopping here forces pedestrians into traffic. Stay alert. - Keep an eye out for pedestrians when turning, especially on one-way streets. While vehicles may only travel in one direction, pedestrians cross both ways.

- Slow down in residential areas.

- Stay off sidewalks.

- Slow down in school zones and watch for children who may not be watching for themselves. The penalty for failing to yield to pedestrians is $150 plus court fee and victim surcharge.

For pedestrians:

- Cross at marked crosswalks or traffic lights.

- Always press the button for the walk signal. This alerts the signal equipment you are there and will increase the time to cross.

- Stay within the marked crosswalk.

- Do not cross between parked cars.

- Where there are no curbs, stop before the sidewalk meets the road and be alert to vehicles.

- Be aware of cars turning into the intersection.

- Don’t use any device that impairs your hearing or vision. - Wear bright clothing or reflective materials, especially at night.

Highway Traffic Act rules for pedestrians:

- If a pedestrian walks outside or adjacent to a crosswalk this could constitute an offence of “fail to use cross-walk” which would be met with a ticket, with a fine of $35.

- Pedestrian fail to use crosswalk – subsection 144(22) of the HTA – Set fine = $35.

- Pedestrian disobey flashing green light – subsection 144(24) of the HTA – Set fine = $35.

- Pedestrian disobey red light – subsection 144(25) of the HTA – Set fine = $35.

- Pedestrian disobey amber light – subsection 144(25) of the HTA – Set fine = $35.

- Pedestrian disobey “don’t walk” signal – subsection 144(27) – Set fine = $35.

In addition to these set fines, the pedestrian would be expected to pay the court fee and victim surcharge.

*************************