The provincial government has taken draconian measures on jaywalkers in an effort to curb pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
"This year [Nova Scotia] is upping its fines for jaywalking to $700 for a first offence," reports Paul McLeod. "It’s $1,272 for a second offence and a whopping $2,422 for a third offence."
McLeod is obviously confused about why the province would enact such fines in a province home to the pedestrian friendly city of Halifax. He claims that the new fines in Nova Scotia go well beyond the normal: "Jaywalking fees in many cities range between $15 and $100."
In response to the new fines, McLeod puts them in context of other traffic fines found in Nova Scotia. The list of offenses that will cost less than jaywalking after the province enacts the new law includes drinking and driving, failing to stop for a school bus with a flashing red light, and driving without a valid driver's license.
McLeod goes on to report on the high rate of pedestrian injuries and fatalities that led to the new fines. The article allows Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Geoff MacLellan a chance to make his case for the new fines. The article also notes, however, the creation of a Facebook group to gather advocates who have "come out swinging" in reaction to the new fines.
FULL STORY: It Will Soon Be More Expensive To Jaywalk Than To Drink And Drive In Nova Scotia
NYC Officials Split on Jaywalking Decriminalization
While some council members say the ‘outdated’ practice disproportionately impacts Black and Latino residents, law enforcement officials say its a necessary measure for road safety.
Traffic Safety Efforts Chug Ahead — Too Slowly for Some
Around the United States, traffic deaths are growing or plateauing, yet efforts to make roads safer still face political opposition.
The Push To Decriminalize Jaywalking
Supporters of decriminalization argue that jaywalking laws don’t keep pedestrians safe and disproportionately burden Black and brown communities with fines.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research