Walking in Waterloo Region

[danbrotherston]

Not sure if this is more appropriate for this thread or the roads thread, but anyways... Am I correct to assume that pedestrians have right of way at an intersection controlled by stop signs, even if there is not paint for the pedestrian crossing? I know it's just paint, but these crossings always bother me. I feel that cars yield less often without the paint, but I might just be attributing the failure to yield incorrectly (they might've done it either way). Or am I just wrong in assuming I have right of way?

If I'm correct, is there an appropriate place to contact to try and get these painted (I could probably come up with dozens I come across regularly), or is that a hopeless endeavor?

Disclaimer: IANAL

My understanding is that the HTA recognizes unmarked crossings, so if the sidewalk is continuous on both sides, it's a crosswalk.

And a stop sign would qualify as a traffic control device, therefore drivers must yield to pedestrians.

So I believe you are correct that pedestrians do have the right of way (crossing the direction that drivers have the stop sign anyway).

In terms of getting them painted, I assume this is a residential area (most bigger roads will have them painted already), so I'm going to suggest speaking with your city councillor, they will probably have more luck getting staff's attention.

That being said, I have no idea how much resistance there will be to doing it, to me, it seems relatively straight forward, but I know regional staff have been resistant on all things pedestrian, but city staff tend to be more progressive in this area.

I'd be curious what crossings you are talking about though. I know in my (formerly daily) walks, I've encountered some true abominations, like this trashfire at Spadina and Ruth

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4389489,-...312!8i6656

And the complete lack of any crossing at Spadina and Glen

https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4382773,-...a=!3m1!1e3

Honestly, these need more than just lines, but now I'm making it about me....lol.  Crossings that could be improved with only lines I really hope would not get much resistance from staff...I know there is some small cost to it, but no engineering is required, nor any change to the legal status.