These questions are based on the laws and regulations of
the Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA),
and may not be the same in other locations.
Relevant sections of the MVA can be found at the bottom.
This longer quiz is intended for adults. See how much you know about the laws (of Nova Scotia, Canada) relating to crosswalk and crosswalk safety. As you take the quiz remember that although you will receive a score the quiz is not abut how many you get right or wrong but about how much you learn when you review the answers.
Instructions
1. start the quiz by clicking on the Start quiz button
2. some questions have hints. Where a hint is provided click on the Hint button if you would like to see the hint.
3. click on the Check button on the right side to input your answer. After having done so you will see if you were right or wrong along with an explanation including references to the Motor Vehicle Act.
4. after reading the answer go on to the next question by clicking Next (also on the right side)
5. after you have answered all six questions click on Quiz Summary (also on the right side); then click on the Finish Quiz button
6. at this point you will see your overall score – but as mentioned it is not your score that matters most but what you learn
7. click the View Questions to see all the questions and answers.
Below the Quiz there is a very short video.
As well check out the videos on the Student Quiz page.
Then please review with further educational information on a number of the questions,
followed by the actual sections of the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act that relate to each question.
Adult Crosswalk Safety Quiz
Time limit: 0
Quiz-summary
0 of 13 questions completed
Questions:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Information
You have already completed the quiz before. Hence you can not start it again.
Quiz is loading...
You must sign in or sign up to start the quiz.
You have to finish following quiz, to start this quiz:
Results
0 of 13 questions answered correctly
Your time:
Time has elapsed
You have reached 0 of 0 points, (0)
Average score
Your score
Categories
Adult Quiz0%
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Answered
Review
Question 1 of 13
1. Question
1 points
Crosswalks exist at every intersection.
Correct
Good Job!
Crosswalks exist at every intersection as well as any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings.
The Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 2(h) defines a ‘Crosswalk’ to be:
… that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curb lines and property lines”
at intersections, or
any other portion of a roadway, or
any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface
Incorrect
Unfortunately you are likely in the majority who are unaware of where crosswalks actually exist.
Crosswalks exist at every intersection as well as any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings.
The Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 2(h) defines a ‘Crosswalk’ to be:
… that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curb lines and property lines”
at intersections, or
any other portion of a roadway, or
any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface
Hint
Think more rather than less.
Question 2 of 13
2. Question
1 points
There is a minimum distance a vehicle is allowed to be parked or stopped from a crosswalk, whether or not a person is in the vehicle.
Correct
Congratulations! Another one right.
It is illegal to stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control signal or sign, according the to Motor Vehicle Act. The minimum distance is five (5) metres or a little more than 15 feet.
Incorrect
Sorry but there indeed is a minimum distance.
It is illegal to stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control signal or sign, according the to Motor Vehicle Act. The minimum distance is five (5) metres or a little more than 15 feet.
Hint
Sight lines do matter.
Question 3 of 13
3. Question
1 points
There is a minimum distance a horse can be tied from a crosswalk.
Correct
‘Hay’ you have it right. Yes there still is a law relating to horses and crosswalks.
It is all about clear sight lines in order that a driver can easily see a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Like the minimum distance for stopping or parking a car it is important a horse’s tie ropes, reins or lines not obstruct the view of the crosswalk. So if you are tying your horse down on Robie Street make sure you do so a safe distance from any crosswalk.
Incorrect
Sorry, no horsing around. A law does exist limiting the distance a horse can be tied from a crosswalk.
It is all about clear sight lines in order that a driver can easily see a pedestrian at a crosswalk. Like the minimum distance for stopping or parking a car it is important a horse’s tie ropes, reins or lines not obstruct the view of the crosswalk. So if you are tying your horse down on Robie Street make sure you do so a safe distance from any crosswalk.
Hint
You might be surprised at some of the laws still on the books?
Question 4 of 13
4. Question
1 points
The driver shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or stopped facing a crosswalk.
Correct
Congratulations!
The MVA is clear a driver must yield for a pedestrian either alread in or stopped facing a crosswalk.
Note there is no distinction between a marked and an unmarked crosswalk. The same obligation to yield exists at both.
Incorrect
Sorry, but the pedestrian has the right of way at a crosswalk.
The MVA defines the obligation for a driver to yield to a pedestrian in or stopped facing a crosswalk. Note there is no distinction between a marked and an unmarked crosswalk. The same obligation to yield exists at both.
Section 125(1) of the MVA provides that
“Where pedestrian movements are not controlled by traffic signals, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or stopped facing a crosswalk”
Hint
Pedestrians have rights.
Question 5 of 13
5. Question
1 points
Where there is a yellow overhead light you must push the button whether or not there is a vehicle in sight.
Correct
Congratulations! You lit up the beacon.
Even if there are no vehicles approaching you must push the button to activate an overhead amber light … or you are breaking the law. You never know that a vehicle might approach while you are crossing.
Incorrect
Sorry, but you need to shine a little light on that crosswalk.
Even if there are no vehicles approaching you must push the button to activate an overhead amber light … or you are breaking the law. You never know that a vehicle might approach while you are crossing.
Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA)Section 125(4) provides that
“Where a pedestrian is crossing a roadway at a crosswalk that has a pedestrian-activated beacon, the pedestrian shall not leave a curb or other place of safety unless the pedestrian-activated beacon has been activated.”
Hint
You never know when a vehicle might approach.
Question 6 of 13
6. Question
1 points
In Nova Scotia it is illegal to cross the road at a location other than a crosswalk, i.e. to jaywalk.
Correct
Right you are but remember vehicles have the right of way if you are not in a crosswalk.
If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk he or she shall yield the right of way to vehicles. But if there is no vehicle present there is no restriction on a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any place. The important point is that if in doing so you cause a vehicle to have to brake, you have just broken the law.
Incorrect
Sorry, but yes you can cross – as long as you yield to any vehicle.
If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk he or she shall yield the right of way to vehicles. But if there is no vehicle present there is no restriction on a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any place. The important point is that if in doing so you cause a vehicle to have to brake, you have just broken the law.
The Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 125(5) states that “a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the roadway”
A pedestrian IS allowed to cross a roadway at a point other than a crosswalk – often referred to as jaywalking – but must yield the right of way to any vehicle on the road.
Hint
The term ‘jaywalk’ cannot be found in the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.
Question 7 of 13
7. Question
1 points
When a crossing guard holds up a stop sign the driver shall stop no closer than five (5) metres from the crosswalk.
Correct
Well done. Crossing guards everywhere congratulate you.
The minimum distance is indeed the same five (5) metres as for parking near a crosswalk.
Incorrect
No, you must stop and it must be five metres from the crosswalk guard.
Section 125A(3) of the MVA states:
“When a stop sign is displayed as required by subsection (2) the driver of any vehicle approaching the crosswalk shall stop no closer than five metres from the crosswalk.”
Hint
A stop sign really does mean STOP.
Question 8 of 13
8. Question
1 points
It is legal for a person to cross at a crosswalk.
Correct
Well done. You got the correct two.
While you may cross a roadway at a crosswalk on roller skates or a skate board you must get off your bicycle and walk it across a crosswalk.
Incorrect
While you may have been partially correct your answer was not totally correct.
Section 172(1) of the Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) states
“… it shall be an offence for a person upon roller skates or a skate board to go on a roadway except while crossing on a crosswalk …”
Then Section 171(5) speaks to bicylces where it provides that “A cyclist on a highway shall ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic”
Traffic driver over, not along crosswalks so similarly a cyclist can ride over a crosswalk (when there are no pedestrians) the same as a vehicle but may not cross the roadway on a crosswalk while riding their bicycle.
Hint
Two of these three are correct; one is not.
Question 9 of 13
9. Question
1 points
Pedestrians are required to use the right half of crosswalks, unless impractical.
Correct
‘Right’ you are.
The MVA is specific enough that it provides that “Pedestrians shall move whenever practicable upon the right half of crosswalks”
Incorrect
Sorry, but left is not ‘right’.
“Pedestrians shall move whenever practicable upon the righthalf of crosswalks” according to Section 127(1) of the MVA.
Hint
In order to avoid confusion does it not make sense for some guidance as to where pedestrians should walk?
Question 10 of 13
10. Question
1 points
When there is a divided highway, i.e. the highway is divided into separate roadways with a median, a driver must yield until a pedestrian has crossed the entire highway.
Correct
Congratulations!
With one exception (that being when a school bus is flashing its red lights) you are only required to yield while the pedestrian is on the road on which you are travelling. Once the pedestrian reaches the median you may proceed.
Incorrect
No you do not, except where a school bus has stopped and is flashing its red lights.
You are only required to yield while the pedestrian is on the road on which you are travelling. Once the pedestrian reaches the median you may proceed, except in the case of 10b.
Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 125(1)(b)
“where the traffic on a highway is divided into separate roadways by a median, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or stopped facing the crosswalk on the roadway on which the vehicleis travelling.“
Question 11 of 13
11. Question
1 points
A pedestrian shall not leave a curb and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so closely approaching that it is impractical for the driver of the vehicle to yield/stop.
Correct
Of course this is True!
While this is common sense it is actually written into the law.
Incorrect
Sorry, but that is not correct.
While it is only common sense one would not walk or run into a the path of a vehicle, just to make sure the Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 125(125)(3) states
“A pedestrian shall not leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so closely approaching that it is impractical for the driver of the vehicle to stop.”
Question 12 of 13
12. Question
1 points
If a ‘don’t walk’ light is showing and/or a countdown timer shows a number but there are no vehicles in sight you may still cross the road.
Correct
Congratulations!
The law is the law. Good for you for knowing it and respecting it, unlike the many I regularly see who do not.
Once the countdown timer starts the ‘don’t walk’ light also illuminates and unless you are already in the crosswalk it is illegal to step off the curb and cross, regardless of whether there are any vehicles in sight or not.
Incorrect
No, no, no.
Although many pedestrians ignore this law, once the countdown timer starts the ‘don’t walk’ light also illuminates and unless you are already in the crosswalk it is illegal to step off the curb and cross, regardless of whether there are any vehicles in sight or not.
Nova Scotia (Canada) Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Section 92(2)(i)
“don’t walk” light – pedestrian traffic facing the signal, either flashing or solid,shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal;
Hint
A solid red hand means stop – laws do not allow for judgement.
Question 13 of 13
13. Question
1 points
Which of the following tools can be used to improve crosswalk safety.
Correct
Congratulations!
Yes, every one of them can and should be considered by government and transportation departments in order to improve crosswalk safety.
Incorrect
Sorry but that is not totally correct.
If you said yes to even one you are partially correct but you would have to have identified all the options to be totally correct.
Governments and transportation departments have a multitude of tools available to them to improve crosswalk saftey. It is up to you to lobby them to implement some/many of these ideas.
Most drivers (and pedestrians) do not know or understand where a crosswalk exists.
Of course there are crosswalks where there are traffic signals.
And we all know where there are markings on the road that is a (marked) crosswalk.
But in addition there are crosswalks – legal crosswalks where pedestrians have a legitimate expectation a driver will yeild in order that they may cross the road – at every intersection – every last one, whether they are marked or not.
Drivers please be attentive to pedestrians and yield for them where there is a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.
Learning point:
There are crosswalks at every intersection and drivers are required to yield to a pedestrians at every one, whether marked or unmarked.
NOT SUGGESTED TO BE TRIED AT HOME!!!
Yielding the right of way
The MVA defines the obligation for a driver to yield to a pedestrian “in or stopped facing” a crosswalk. Note there is no distinction between a marked and an unmarked crosswalk. The same legal obligation exists at both – see the definition of a crosswalk above.
Jaywalking
Actually jaywalking itself is not illegal in Nova Scotia – what is illegal is not yielding to vehicle when outside a crosswalk. Those in other jurisdictions should check their own local laws.
Learning point:
If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than a crosswalk he or she must yield the right of way to vehicles. If there are no vehicles present thereis no restriction of a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any location.
The very important point is that if in doing so you cause a vehicle to have to brake, you have just committed a chargeable offence.
Roller skates, skate boards and bicycles
Learning point:
While you may cross a roadway at a crosswalk on roller skates or a skate board you must get off your bicycle and walk it across a crosswalk. The Nova Scotia MVA treats a bicycle as a vehicle, subject to the same rules and regulations. Certainly a car cannot cross the road on a marked crosswalk, and therefore neither can a bicycle.
Yielding where there is a median
Learning point:
You are only required to yield while the pedestrian is on the road on which you are travelling. Once the pedestrian reaches the median you may proceed EXCEPT …
… when a school bus is stopped with its red lightsflashing. Whether at a crosswalk or elsewhere you must remain stopped until the school bus proceeds regardless of whether there are any pedestrians on your side of the median or not.
Activating an overhead yellow light
Even if there are no vehicles approaching you must push the button to activate an overhead amber light … or you are breaking the law. You never know that a vehicle might approach while you are crossing so activate that light. Again – it is the law!
Countdown timers
Learning point:
Once the countdown timer starts the ‘don’t walk’ light also illuminates. Unless you are already in the crosswalk it is a chargeable offence to step off the curb and begin crossing the road, regardless of whether there are any vehicles in sight or not.
Improving crosswalk and pedestrian visibility
Learning point:
A study by the US Transportation Research Board presents data that indicates high-visibility fluorescent yellow-green crossing signs were on average 17% effective in terms of driver yielding behaviour. In comparison the effectivess of other measures was:
47% for overhead flashing amber beacons, with a button required to be pushed
65% for pedestrian crossing flags, and
97% for HAWK signal beacons (a yellow to red system used in Tucson, Arizona, Quebec City, Quebec and no doubt other locations)
Tools to improve crosswalk safety
Learning point:
There are many opportunities for provincial, state and municipal governments to improve crosswalk safety. Please check out the Improving Safety page for more information on the many options government, transportation/traffic departments and police forces should consider for improving crosswalk safety.
Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) Crosswalk Safety References
Q 1 – definition of a crosswalk
Section 2(h) defines a “Crosswalk”:
“… that portion of a roadway ordinarily included within the prolongation or connection of curb lines and property lines at intersections, or any other portion of a roadway, or any other portion of a roadway clearly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface”
Q 2 – stopping or parking near a crosswalk
Section 143(1)(b)
“It shall be an offence for a driver of a vehicle to stop, stand or park a vehicle, whether attended or unattended, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control signal or sign … on or within 5 metres of a crosswalk”
Q 3 – minimum distance to hitch a horse from a crosswalk
Section 167(4)
“No person shall at any time fasten any horse or horses in such a manner that the tie rope, reins or lines shall be an obstruction to the free use of any sidewalk or crosswalk.”
Q 4 – driver requirements to yield
Section 125(1)
“Where pedestrian movements are not controlled by traffic signals, (a) the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or stopped facing a crosswalk”
Q 5 – overhead amber lights
Section 125(4)
“Where a pedestrian is crossing a roadway at a crosswalk that has a pedestrian-activated beacon, the pedestrian shall not leave a curb or other place of safety unless the pedestrian-activated beacon has been activated.”
Q 6 – jaywalking
Section 125(5)
“a pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a crosswalk shall yield the right of way to vehicles upon the roadway”
Q 7 – crossing guard
Section 125A(3)
“When a stop sign is displayed as required by subsection (2) the driver of any vehicle approaching the crosswalk shall stop no closer than five metres from the crosswalk.”
Q 8 – roller skates, skate boards and bicycles
Section 172(1)
“… it shall be an offence for a person upon roller skates or a skate board to go on a roadway except while crossing on a crosswalk …”
Section 171(5)
“A cyclist on a highway shall ride in the same direction as the flow of traffic”
Q 9 – which side of the crosswalk to walk on
Section 127(1)
“Pedestrians shall move whenever practicable upon the right half of crosswalks”
Q 10 – divided highway
Section 125(1)(b)
“Where the traffic on a highway is divided into separate roadways by a median, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian lawfully within a crosswalk or stopped facing the crosswalk on the roadway on which the vehicleis travelling.”
There is one very important EXCEPTION that being when a school bus is flashing itsh red lights
Section 103(3)
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the driver of a vehicle shall stop the vehicle before passing a school bus that is exhibiting flashing red lights and is stopped on or near a highway and shall remain stopped until the school bus proceeds.”
Q 11 – walking or running into traffic
Section 125(3)
“A pedestrian shall not leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so closely approaching that it is impractical for the driver of the vehicle to stop.”
Q 12 – countdown timers
Section 92(2)(i)
“don’t walk” light – pedestrian traffic facing the signal, either flashing or solid, shall not start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal;