Nova Scotia Cracks Down on Jaywalkers—Advocates React As Expected

The provincial government has taken draconian measures on jaywalkers in an effort to curb pedestrian injuries and fatalities.

1 minute read

January 23, 2016, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"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.

Wednesday, January 13, 2016 in BuzzFeed News

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view image of strip mall in suburban Duncanville, Texas.

Adaptive Reuse Will Create Housing in a Suburban Texas Strip Mall

A developer is reimagining a strip mall property as a mixed-use complex with housing and retail.

2 hours ago - Parking Reform Network

Blue tarps covering tents set up by unhoused people along chain link fence on concrete sidewalk.

Study: Anti-Homelessness Laws Don’t Work

Research shows that punitive measures that criminalized unhoused people don’t help reduce homelessness.

4 hours ago - Next City

Aerial tram moving along cable in hilly area in Medellin, Colombia.

In U.S., Urban Gondolas Face Uphill Battle

Cities in Latin America and Europe have embraced aerial transitways — AKA gondolas — as sustainable, convenient urban transport, especially in tricky geographies. American cities have yet to catch up.

6 hours ago - InTransition Magazine