Discussions

Remember, just because a cross walk isn't 'marked', doesn't mean it isn't a cross walk! If the sidewalk continues on the other side of the street/ road, it is still considered a crosswalk and you must yeild to pedestrians, even if it isn't marked!

70`s guy said "R part of the problem....sheesh!     It''''s so simple!     Stop sign, red light, "marked" pedestrian crossing =: pedestrian priority     Otherwise, pedestrians are taking a chance and if you''''re a nice driver and stop and cause an accident, well hopefully you can live with that mistake.     Yes, it'''s allarming to me that some drivers feel that cars should come to a halt when a pedestrian wants to cross the street anywhere.     Jack Azz- where do you draw the limit on when a car should not stop to let a pedestrian cross? Here in Brandon we only have 4 lane aves and street and I feel that is still very dangerous for a kind driver to stop traffic for a pedestrian, but in Winnipeg there are areas on Portage where there are 8 or 10 lanes counting both direction. Think a nice driver has the right to just stop and let a pedestrian cross Portage Ave where there is not a marked Pedestrian crossing. That would be so unsafe and pure lunacy if you ask me!     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 13:55:09"

Simple in your opinion maybe but still wrong. If you would read the links that folks have posted you would know that there are crosswalks at every intersection where there are sidewalks. These are laws, not opinions. You might think it would he easier of safer your way but really your personal opinion is irrelevant.  
 
Also any accidents that happen due to someone rear-ending a person who stops for a pedestrian would be the fault of the person doing the rear-ending, not the person stopping!

70`s guy said "R part of the problem....sheesh!     It''''s so simple!     Stop sign, red light, "marked" pedestrian crossing =: pedestrian priority     Otherwise, pedestrians are taking a chance and if you''''re a nice driver and stop and cause an accident, well hopefully you can live with that mistake.     Yes, it'''s allarming to me that some drivers feel that cars should come to a halt when a pedestrian wants to cross the street anywhere.     Jack Azz- where do you draw the limit on when a car should not stop to let a pedestrian cross? Here in Brandon we only have 4 lane aves and street and I feel that is still very dangerous for a kind driver to stop traffic for a pedestrian, but in Winnipeg there are areas on Portage where there are 8 or 10 lanes counting both direction. Think a nice driver has the right to just stop and let a pedestrian cross Portage Ave where there is not a marked Pedestrian crossing. That would be so unsafe and pure lunacy if you ask me!     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 13:55:09"

It may be unsafe and lunacy to stop at any unmarked crosswalk, but pedestrians do have the right of way. Fortunately, most pedestrians have common sense and know that cars will not usually let them cross. But that doesn't make you correct.

70`s guy said "Haven''t read all the posts, but this topic should not be that confusing or even debatable.   We all know that someone driving in Carberry may perform an act of kindness and let someone cross a street where it is not a crosswalk and everyone is perfectly fine with that as it''s a small town with little traffic. Try the same thing in Brandon and it''s a different story, Winnipeg, even more serious if you''re kind, you could actually enable a death with your kindness.   It''s really not that complex.   1. We have crosswalks with lights that tell when pedestrians should cross. We should all agree that it''s not wise to stop at a green light to let a pedestrian cross as it''s very dangerous and likely would cause an accident.   2. We have major streets and Aves in Brandon where pedestrians should only cross where lines are painted on the road. They are usually at traffic lights or clearly marked crosswalks. Stop to let pedestrians cross at these legal crosswalks is ok, anywhere else and you should get a ticket.   3.smaller streets intersecting major throughfare. All these have stop signs before you drive accross or drive on the major st or Ave. Think 25 st crossing Victoria. If you''re at the stop sign and there are pedestrians waiting to cross, then you must give way as the car driver. Nobody can argue or will dispute that.   4. What everybody is arguing about I think is for example something like this: At the corner of Brandon ave and 3rd st. What do we do at that intersection? Logic would tell you that if you have a stop, then you let pedestrians go. However, if you do not have a stop the pedestrian should wait (as the wait won''t be long) and let the vehicle go through first.     What''s really dangerous is when a kind person stops their vehicle for a pedestrian when there are no pedestrian crossing. In heavy traffic, (think 18''th, Vic or Rosser) this creates a chain reaction which can very possibly cause an accident not to mention that it''s also very dangerous forthe pedestrian, especially when traffic is multi-lane.     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-28 21:02:00"

3rd and Brandon Ave is only a school zone. "George Fitton School"  
 
Why would anyone want to follow the Law and let pedestrians cross on the crosswalk in a school zone.  
 
Last point: Why is it more important for the person walking to wait for the person in the car. Does driving a car give you God status?

Yes, car that hits other is generally in the wrong. However, in one particular case that I know of, a Quebec woman was charged with criminal negligence causing death. See link. Now this woman, in a kind act of stopping her vehicle to help ducklings on the side of road created a dangerous situation that resulted in two deaths. So, my point is that stopping a vehicle on a street, ave or road for a kind gesture can turn horrible and in some cases the person who stopped yheir vehicle may be liable. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/06/20/woman_who_stopped_car_for_ducks_guilty_in_fatal_crash.html  
 
JackAzz- you did not answer my question regarding being kind to pedestrians at non marked crosswalks in Winnipeg on Portage where there are 8 lanes. Please, provide reasoning why stopping on Portage at non pedestrian crossings should be encouraged. I eagerly await your reasoning.  
 
Also, if all intersections are crosswalks as some really, really beleive, then why did Manitoba transportation install "Pedestrian crossings" signs at only a few intersections and not at all? Or even better, Why not have them all "unmarked"?  
 
Roads, streets and Avs are meant to keep traffic moving. If all intersections were actual aproved crosswalks where motorists had to stop by law and let pedestrians by, then Portage Ave in Winnipeg would come to a standstill. There are marked ped crossings and that's where they "should" cross as it is marked and a whole lot safer for all involved.  
 
Lastly, Please someone find me a case where in a city a motorist was charged for not yeilding to a pedestrian who was struck while crossing a street in a non marked "Pedestrian crossing", and where the motorist didn't have a stop sign or red light.

loeog said "    70`s guy said "Haven''t read all the posts, but this topic should not be that confusing or even debatable.   We all know that someone driving in Carberry may perform an act of kindness and let someone cross a street where it is not a crosswalk and everyone is perfectly fine with that as it''s a small town with little traffic. Try the same thing in Brandon and it''s a different story, Winnipeg, even more serious if you''re kind, you could actually enable a death with your kindness.   It''s really not that complex.   1. We have crosswalks with lights that tell when pedestrians should cross. We should all agree that it''s not wise to stop at a green light to let a pedestrian cross as it''s very dangerous and likely would cause an accident.   2. We have major streets and Aves in Brandon where pedestrians should only cross where lines are painted on the road. They are usually at traffic lights or clearly marked crosswalks. Stop to let pedestrians cross at these legal crosswalks is ok, anywhere else and you should get a ticket.   3.smaller streets intersecting major throughfare. All these have stop signs before you drive accross or drive on the major st or Ave. Think 25 st crossing Victoria. If you''re at the stop sign and there are pedestrians waiting to cross, then you must give way as the car driver. Nobody can argue or will dispute that.   4. What everybody is arguing about I think is for example something like this: At the corner of Brandon ave and 3rd st. What do we do at that intersection? Logic would tell you that if you have a stop, then you let pedestrians go. However, if you do not have a stop the pedestrian should wait (as the wait won''t be long) and let the vehicle go through first.     What''s really dangerous is when a kind person stops their vehicle for a pedestrian when there are no pedestrian crossing. In heavy traffic, (think 18''th, Vic or Rosser) this creates a chain reaction which can very possibly cause an accident not to mention that it''s also very dangerous forthe pedestrian, especially when traffic is multi-lane.     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-28 21:02:00" 3rd and Brandon Ave is only a school zone. "George Fitton School"     Why would anyone want to follow the Law and let pedestrians cross on the crosswalk in a school zone.     Last point: Why is it more important for the person walking to wait for the person in the car. Does driving a car give you God status? "

My bad!  
 
Trying to give an example of an intersection in the city that has very low traffic.  
 
To answer your question. No, driving a car does not give you "god status" and in such an area motorists usually don't mind to let peds cross as like I said traffic low and therefore much safer to let peds cross. At the same time, the pedestrian doesn't have to wait long to cross at such a spot as I said traffic is low. Like crossing the street in the country, low traffic, low danger. Look both ways and if safe cross. Intersection or not.

70`s guy said "Yes, car that hits other is generally in the wrong. However, in one particular case that I know of, a Quebec woman was charged with criminal negligence causing death. See link. Now this woman, in a kind act of stopping her vehicle to help ducklings on the side of road created a dangerous situation that resulted in two deaths. So, my point is that stopping a vehicle on a street, ave or road for a kind gesture can turn horrible and in some cases the person who stopped yheir vehicle may be liable. https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2014/06/20/woman_who_stopped_car_for_ducks_guilty_in_fatal_crash.html     JackAzz- you did not answer my question regarding being kind to pedestrians at non marked crosswalks in Winnipeg on Portage where there are 8 lanes. Please, provide reasoning why stopping on Portage at non pedestrian crossings should be encouraged. I eagerly await your reasoning.     Also, if all intersections are crosswalks as some really, really beleive, then why did Manitoba transportation install "Pedestrian crossings" signs at only a few intersections and not at all? Or even better, Why not have them all "unmarked"?     Roads, streets and Avs are meant to keep traffic moving. If all intersections were actual aproved crosswalks where motorists had to stop by law and let pedestrians by, then Portage Ave in Winnipeg would come to a standstill. There are marked ped crossings and that's where they "should" cross as it is marked and a whole lot safer for all involved.     Lastly, Please someone find me a case where in a city a motorist was charged for not yeilding to a pedestrian who was struck while crossing a street in a non marked "Pedestrian crossing", and where the motorist didn't have a stop sign or red light. "

i know of a few cases where charges have been laid for motorists failing to yield to pedestrians, marked or unmarked and YES even in Winnipeg on Portage you have to stop for a pedestrian at an intersection, It is illegal to pass someone stopped for a pedestrian at an intersection the act has been posted already, even if you dont believe it  
 
why does the city paint some, light some and leave others unmarked it all comes down to risk which does have a cost factor, places like 18th by BU does have one marked and one lighted pedestrian crossing because its a high pedestrian area, other cities with more cash will put an over pass in, other areas that get less pedestrian or vehicular traffic the city doesnt spend the money for, similar idea of why some intersections have lights, others have $ way stops and others have yields and god hope you dont drive rural because some of those are even unmarked yields  
 
if you really dont know this stuff, i suggest you call one of the 4 driving schools in Brandon and take a lesson

Time to leave this thread as some are getting personal. I''ve tried, but like the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, but you can''t make it drink.  
 
Traveller, you say motorists have been charged for failing to yeild to pedestrians at "non marked" crossings. I can only assume then that yhe driver failed to yeild to a pedestrian when the driver was at an intersection where he/she had a stop sign or red light. Without providing more info or link, your argument is extremely weak to say the least.  
 
Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 16:41:58

Drive down 13th between Vic and Park. College and Van Horne have marked cross walks, Mactavish has an unmarked crosswalk. However a pedestrian has the right of way at all three crosswalks and vehicles traveling on 13th should stop for a pedestrian at each one.

Here''s the water  
 
http://www.icbcclaiminfo.com/node/26  
 
 
It's a good read. It talks about fault for both the ped and the driver.  
 
Edited by loeog, 2016-06-29 18:17:44

It's as simple as reading the rules and using a little common sense.  
 
All marked intersections with crosswalk lines, hand signals and signage are crosswalks where pedestrians has the right of way. EVERYONE AGREES  
 
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing at unmarked crossing. Most People Agree.  
 
Confusion: what is an unmarked crosswalk?  
1. must be at intersection.  
2. must have sidewalk.  
3 sidewalk must extent to street on both sides of the road.  
 
All 3 of those points have to be in place for it to qualify as a unmarked crosswalk. They could exist at stop signs where lines or other signage isn't present or they could exist at at most street corners around the city. But if any of those 3 points are not in place than it is not a crosswalk.  
 
Previously I mentioned sloped sidewalks and in doing so I made an assumption that the city has given wheelchair excess to all crosswalks in the city. The reason I did that is simple. The Law says the sidewalk must extend into the road, and sloped sidewalks do just that. If a sidewalk extends beyond the junction of the other sidewalk it too will be can be interpreted as extending into the road, however I assume they would be sloped too as to give wheel chair access but that is an assumption. Another reason I mentioned slopes is for intersections that do not have grass between the sidewalk and the curb, and the sidewalk follows the curb without having anything between the sidewalk and the curb. In that situation where the sidewalk meets each other at the curb with no indication it is going into the street the only other indicator I could come up with is "does it slope".  
Either way a unmarked crosswalk has to meet those 3 points.  
 
It is not safe for Driver to stop for a Pedestrian at a place that is not a crosswalk. That is called jaywalking. Why is it dangerous?  
 
1. If you stop for a Jaywalker, the driver in the other lane is not going to know why you stopped and the pedestrian may be hidden from his view (maybe by your truck), since the driver assumes your just another crazy driver stopping in the middle of the street(maybe your car stalled) he keeps going and hits the pedestrian just as they emerge from the blind spot created by your vehicle.  
 
2. If you suddenly decide to stop for a pedestrian in the middle of the street, some driver who is just happened to do a shoulder check because he needs to change lanes, and suddenly he realizes the car ahead of him slammed on the brakes, you could cause someone to rear end someone else or worse swerve and cause a multiple lane accident. The rear end does not even have to be with you. It could happen 2 or more cars behind you where the chain reaction will make each drivers reaction time less. You could than continue on your merry way oblivious to the fact that you caused an accident.  
 
Who is at fault when a pedestrian is hit? I would assume the courts will always find a way to put the Blame on anyone other than the victim. So if someone jumps in front of your truck you would probably still be assigned blame. So Don't stop for a Jaywalker unless there is a Danger of hitting him.

Your third point of what constitutes a crosswalk at an unmarked intersection has been what I have been saying. The driver has to watch traffic, pedestrians, signs and everything else that a driver has to watch for, and also determine whether or not the sidewalk extends down to the curb on both sides of the street to see if it is an unmarked crosswalk, hoping that other vehicles don't restrict their view of the crosswalks to delay their ability to make that quick decision. Now, while the driver is trying to determine if it is an unmarked crosswalk, their focus is not on the traffic in front of them.  
 
So, do you just stop at every intersection that a pedestrian is at? If you stop and it is NOT an unmarked crosswalk, then you are in the wrong. If you don't stop and it IS an unmarked crosswalk, then you are in the wrong. Do people get the point now? There needs to be an easy way to determine which intersections have unmarked crosswalks, and which intersections don't have unmarked crosswalks.  
 
Now, let's add winter time and snow banks to this argument to add further confusion. How do you determine if a sidewalk extends down to the street now, unless it is plowed or shoveled? Sometimes, sidewalks aren't cleared so how are you to know now?  
 
Pedestrians need to be more responsible too. I saw a guy crossing Park at 18th yesterday. He waited for the light and then held out his arm until he was half way across the intersection, which was excellent. Too many pedestrians barely stop or look up before they start to cross, taking their lives into their own hands. Pedestrians aren't always in the right and can be in the wrong if they don't give the motorist sufficient time to stop for them.

I treat every intersection as a place that pedestrians can cross.  
 
I am sick of guessing if they want to cross. They really are supposed to show that with your arm stretched out. Only seen that a few times. I have though stopped many times and people had no intention to cross. Waiting for ride??  
 
It also seems we have repair issues on crosswalks with flashing lights that should be activated. The city/highways should not spend a nickel on new ones.  
 
Pedestrians should ignore the green lights made for vehicle traffic. The red hand says do not begin to cross. I like the count down. Although some intersection hit zero the light goes red. Some give extra time. What is with that?.  
 
 
I also thought the slope was created for wheel chair users and the city is still just upgrading.  
 
I also will add that people sitting/riding on bikes do not get crosswalk privileges from me. Pedestrian first.

Doug said "I treat every intersection as a place that pedestrians can cross.     I am sick of guessing if they want to cross. They really are supposed to show that with your arm stretched out. Only seen that a few times. I have though stopped many times and people had no intention to cross. Waiting for ride??     It also seems we have repair issues on crosswalks with flashing lights that should be activated. The city/highways should not spend a nickel on new ones.     Pedestrians should ignore the green lights made for vehicle traffic. The red hand says do not begin to cross. I like the count down. Although some intersection hit zero the light goes red. Some give extra time. What is with that?.       I also thought the slope was created for wheel chair users and the city is still just upgrading.     I also will add that people sitting/riding on bikes do not get crosswalk privileges from me. Pedestrian first. "

Doug, I tried to explain my use of a a sloped sidewalk as an assumption that all unmarked crosswalks would also have wheelchair access. That however might not work for every intersection. The rules say the sidewalk has to extend into the street. the slope was an assumption and I apologize for creating confusion and for bringing it up.

70`s guy said "Time to leave this thread as some are getting personal. I''ve tried, but like the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, but you can''t make it drink.     Traveller, you say motorists have been charged for failing to yeild to pedestrians at "non marked" crossings. I can only assume then that yhe driver failed to yeild to a pedestrian when the driver was at an intersection where he/she had a stop sign or red light. Without providing more info or link, your argument is extremely weak to say the least.     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 16:41:58"

hard to provide links to tickets but i remember one coming up on the Bps site not long ago, the laws have been posted but yet you still seem confused, i really dont get how you can think that you dont stop at an unmarked crosswalk even when the law clearly says you must, no where does the laws, or handbook say that there must be a stop sign or a light

midge said "    Donna666 said "There was a thread a while back that quoted from somewhere that cars should yield to pedestrians at any street corner. I was surprised as I felt this was dangerous. I have been looking at a traffic bylaw and now see this...   7.4 WHERE PEDESTRIANS YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY   When a pedestrian is crossing a street at a point other than within a crosswalk, the pedestrian shall   yield the right-of-way to the motorist.   [EN. B/L 6836]   Here is what I believed was true and now it is clear for me and anyone else who was wondering. If there is something I am missing or misunderstanding feel free to let me know. " The same discussion went on for some time and the various sections of the Traffic Act were posted. Your post is timely because with summer now here there are many drivers stopping to let pedestrians cross on two lane streets where there is not a marked cross walk that are putting the pedestrians in grave danger. The rule is that any provincial highway that is more than one lane with a meridian in between drivers are only required to yield to pedestrians at marked cross walks and should NOT stop to let pedestrians cross where there are no marked pedestrian corridors. Since all of Victoria Ave, 1st Street and 18th Street are Provincial roads and are multi lane with a meridian vehicles should only stop to allow pedestrians to cross at marked crosswalks. I see many drivers ignoring this rule thinking they are being kind when they are actually breaking the driving laws and more importantly putting the pedestrians in danger! "

Wrong!  
 
Even on multi-lane roads if there is an intersection, there is a crosswalk that you are legally bound to stop for pedestrians at, regardless of how entitled a person feels. Major intersections will have traffic lights that ALL must obey.

Donna666 said "Assume a cross walk at every corner, then why write the legislation like this?   7.4 WHERE PEDESTRIANS YIELD RIGHT-OF-WAY   When a pedestrian is crossing a street at a point other than within a crosswalk, the pedestrian shall   yield the right-of-way to the motorist.   [EN. B/L 6836]   I did not see it say every corner is a crodfsswalk. Sorry if you think it is easy and some of us daft, but again my point is it is more than I who des not think it is clear! "

Wrong also - there is nothing stated here about what constitutes a crosswalk. It is saying pedestrians that are j-walking don't get the right of way (by law). You still have to stop for them at intersections which are defined elsewhere if you look.Basically every intersection that has a sidewalk or walkway leading up to it is a crosswalk.  
 
 
And SLOPES????? Really????? No, no, no... even a hard curb is a crosswalk at an intersection if there is a sidewalk leading up to it.  
 
No wonder people won't stop for pedestrians - they feel so entitled that they make up their own rules.

traveller said "    70`s guy said "Time to leave this thread as some are getting personal. I''ve tried, but like the saying goes, you can take a horse to water, but you can''t make it drink.     Traveller, you say motorists have been charged for failing to yeild to pedestrians at "non marked" crossings. I can only assume then that yhe driver failed to yeild to a pedestrian when the driver was at an intersection where he/she had a stop sign or red light. Without providing more info or link, your argument is extremely weak to say the least.     Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 16:41:58" hard to provide links to tickets but i remember one coming up on the Bps site not long ago, the laws have been posted but yet you still seem confused, i really dont get how you can think that you dont stop at an unmarked crosswalk even when the law clearly says you must, no where does the laws, or handbook say that there must be a stop sign or a light "

Posted this link, you can find it on page one. http://mytoba.ca/news/pedestrian-struck-by-vehicle-in-brandon/  
The vehicle driver was charged and rightfully so as the vehicle had a stop sign on 13th at Princess and did not give way to the pedestrian. All drivers must give way to pedestrians while at a stop or red light, common sense. In this case the driver didn''''t and was charged, perfect!  
 
IMO, the Brandon by-law regarding pedestrians rights and duties can be and are interpreted that pedestrians are to cross the street at crosswalks. MPI driver booklet,IMO says a different story. Would be nice if MPI and Brandon by-law would use the same lingo regarding this subject. Between 2009-13, Manitoba averaged roughly 240 pedestrian injuries annually, approx 9 deaths See link https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Vulnerable/pages/pedestrian-safety.aspx  
It would appear to me that improvements to crosswalks and education is key in reducing the number of casualties. No matter if it''''s the law or not and I''''m not sure, but to stop on a major route with multiple lanes to allow/encourage a pedestrian to cross where there is no crosswalk is not a good idea and a recipe for pedestrian-vehicle collision. I for one, will not encourage this practice as I would have (in the case of pedestrian being hit) difficulty dealing with the guilt that my actions would have caused harm or worse, death!  
 
Edited by 70`s guy, 2016-06-29 23:50:56

I really do, but is telling peds on 18th street to walk an extra mile and use the traffic lights as an option.  
I also suggest that crossing at 18th and Vic will get you killed, have you seen the way people use the flashing red turn lane. They never look for peds.  
 
All I'm doing is saying, "driving a motor vehicle comes with responsibilities".  
 
I just hope I'm not the next guy that doesn't see a pedestrian at a crossing!!

I appreciate some of the referenced material, though it is still a little contradictory. I think the best advice I heard here was whenever you stop and it is not a marked cross walk put your 4-way lights on to alert others behind you and so the pedestrian knows you are stopping for them.

loeog said "I really do, but is telling peds on 18th street to walk an extra mile and use the traffic lights as an option.   I also suggest that crossing at 18th and Vic will get you killed, have you seen the way people use the flashing red turn lane. They never look for peds.     All I'm doing is saying, "driving a motor vehicle comes with responsibilities".     I just hope I'm not the next guy that doesn't see a pedestrian at a crossing!! "

Go down 18th and check. lots of of crossings and not far apart either some are at red lights, some with overhead flashing lights, some with marked and painted crossing on the road, some with school crossing sign and some with just a sign. You probably can't walk 2 blocks without coming to a Marked crossing, and most of the time they will be closer. there is no lack of them. the point is they are all marked on that stretch with possibly an exception around collage or van horne.  
Either way it is best to simply follow the rules of the road. Drivers watching for pedestrians and pedestrians always make sure it is safe before you proceed right of way or not. Each should yield according to the law, As it is there for your safety.

I understand how you would view it as unsafe and risky for a pedestrian to cross a busy multi lane intersection without a marked crosswalk but honestly even with a marked cross walk many dont stop, especially if it is a vehicle in the left lane stopping first, that is sometimes mistaken for a left turner without a signal on but it is the drivers duty to not pass another vehicle without making sure its safe and in the case of them stopped at an intersection for no apparent reason the other vehicle i automatically slow and look for pedestrians, as a pedestrian in that situation I never trust that the other vehicles will stop either and always wait until they show signs of stopping before i continue to cross BUT regardless of me understanding your point it is written in the HTA that in most cases all intersections are unmarked crosswalks and vehicles must yield to pedestrians, whether its enforced or not isnt relevant either but it is what is supposed to happen  
 
I am wondering as you seem like you worry about contributing to hurting a pedestrian, dont you think not following the law and stopping when you are supposed to would also be a risk?

traveller said "I understand how you would view it as unsafe and risky for a pedestrian to cross a busy multi lane intersection without a marked crosswalk but honestly even with a marked cross walk many dont stop, especially if it is a vehicle in the left lane stopping first, that is sometimes mistaken for a left turner without a signal on but it is the drivers duty to not pass another vehicle without making sure its safe and in the case of them stopped at an intersection for no apparent reason the other vehicle i automatically slow and look for pedestrians, as a pedestrian in that situation I never trust that the other vehicles will stop either and always wait until they show signs of stopping before i continue to cross BUT regardless of me understanding your point it is written in the HTA that in most cases all intersections are unmarked crosswalks and vehicles must yield to pedestrians, whether its enforced or not isnt relevant either but it is what is supposed to happen     I am wondering as you seem like you worry about contributing to hurting a pedestrian, dont you think not following the law and stopping when you are supposed to would also be a risk? "

Not sure if you are referring to me or not.  
Those people who don't stop at marked crossing and yielding right of way to pedestrians are clearly not following the law. It is safest if we all follow the laws of the road, but it is even safer if we follow the laws of the road but don't automatically assume everyone else will. That way If you are as a driver you will more likely be aware of distracted drivers and be able to compensate for it.  
As pedestrian with that mindset will not blindly enter the road, but make sure the drivers approaching him/her are following the rules of the road before proceeding to cross.  
The Truth is most intersections in the city probably are unmarked crosswalks (Those that aren't otherwise marked), some aren't because there simply be no where to go on the other side. Short of driving around the city and checking every intersection I can't say if they all are. There are rules that dictate what a unmarked crosswalk is and that is all I'm saying.  
Not sure exactly what you mean with that last statement, but I'll interpret it to mean "dont you think "following" the law and stopping when you are supposed to would also be a risk?" Potentially but less so, especially if the crosswalk is marked, because the drivers behind me and beside me can see the crossing ahead and anticipate a potential stop. But even with that, there remains the possibility of a distracted driver not paying attention and zooming past. I believe we all have split seconds where we drive distracted or have our eyes of the road, be it a bad day where your lost in thought, switching a station, shoulder check, or whatever. So unless you can control every person around you there will always be potential risk in anything you do. People expect you to follow the Law so the safest course is to follow the Law, thereby you do what other drivers expect, causing the safer environment.

Jovial said "That every street corner was a safe crosswalk for pedestrians and is considered a crosswalk whether physically marked or not unless it is a very busy stretch like Victoria or 18th. I mean, we are walking (not to mention children and elderly) so it doesn't seem right we may have to walk blocks out of our way just to find an actual marked crosswalk because motorists are in that much of a hurry and feel they have right of way. I blame speed limits...ever increasing them to appease the yahoos in that much if a hurry is ridiculous     My two cents :D "

Of the Manitoba drivers handbook states:  
Pedestrian safety  
Crosswalks  
Pedestrians have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.  
Unmarked crosswalks — These are extensions of sidewalks across a road at an intersection. No markings or signs are required. However, precaution should be taken at all times.  
Marked crosswalks — These i:nclude crosswalks at intersections controlled by tra c lights, school crosswalks and pedestrian crosswalks.  
As a driver  
You must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are about to cross, unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median. A double solid line is not a physical separation.  
• It is illegal to pass tra c ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians.  
• Proceed only when the pedestrians have safely crossed the street or have safely reached the median of a divided roadway.  
• No parking or stopping is allowed within three metres of a crosswalk.  
• All pedestrians have the right to use school crosswalks.

Why do they even have crosswalks then if pedestrians can cross at any corner?

 
 
Pedestrians were here first

That is the stupidest place for a bus stop. If you are crossing, you have to step off a curb, up a curb, down another curb. That is difficult for seniors, disabled persons and families pushing strollers. The boulevard and curbs that separate Kirkcaldy should be changed to be wheelchair friendly/stroller friendly and pedestrian friendly. I stop on Kirkcaldy when I see a mother pushing a stroller, struggling to get it up and down the curbs and over the grassy boulevard. They are trying to catch a bus, I am driving and can wait 2 minutes.

 
 
Edited by Happy1986, 2016-08-04 14:03:48

"crosswalk" means  
(a) that part of a highway at an intersection distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by a traffic control device or by lines or other markings on the surface thereof, or  
(b) that part of a highway elsewhere than at an intersection distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by a traffic control device and by lines or other markings on the surface thereof, or  
(c) that part of a highway that is i:ncluded within the straight production across the roadway, directly and not diagonally  
(i) of the lateral lines of the sidewalk on either side of any roadway intersecting or meeting the highway, or  
(ii) of the lateral lines of any sidewalk that intersects or meets the highway on either side thereof,  
measured, in each case, from the kerb, or in the absence of kerbs, from the edge of the roadway on which the crosswalk is situated, and i:ncludes a pedestrian corridor:  
 
Meaning ANY sidewalk leading up to a roadway, whether two lanes, one lane, four lanes is STILL a crosswalk marked or not.  
 
http://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/h060e.php  
 
Edited by Cee Jay 55, 2016-08-04 14:43:34

One of our kids got an auto fail on his driving test for stopping to let some walk across 18th at a regular corner not a marked crosswalk