Adult Quiz

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.

Scroll up to continue with the quiz. 

When finished review the information below.

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Where do crosswalks exist?

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 lights flashing.  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.

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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 vehicle is 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;