A ribbon cutting for a crosswalk?

Hamilton held an official ceremony Monday to mark the installation of Hamilton's first pedestrian crossover.

The mentality for a motorist is that they have the right of way, unless they're at a traffic light or a stop sign. That mentality has to change. - David Ferguson, Supt. Traffic Engineering

It's a measure of the attention the city wants to draw to the new crossovers— and the new rules for drivers and pedestrians that go along with them.

The new-style crossovers are designated areas for people to cross the road that are unrelated to intersections and traffic lights.

The ribbon cutting for the first crossing, happened over the noon hour at Limeridge Road at the Trail Crossing, near Mountain Brow Blvd. Ward 6 Councillor Tom Jackson was there and performed the maiden crossing with other city hall employees.

"It's precedent-setting in Hamilton," Councillor Jackson said, "and I think it makes all the sense in the world."

The city has produced a handy video explaining the concept:

They are a regular feature in other Canadian provinces, but Ontario is playing catch-up.

"In Ontario especially," said David Ferguson, Hamilton's Superintendent for Traffic Engineering, "the mentality for a motorist is that they have the right of way, unless they're at a traffic light or a stop sign.

"That mentality has to change."

City hall notes that drivers will be lawfully obligated to yield to pedestrians using these crossings, the same as regular crosswalks at traffic lights. These crossings are part of the ongoing effort to make Hamilton streets a safer and more convenient space for pedestrian traffic.

Click this link to go to the city's page where there's a list of planned locations for these to be installed throughout 2016 and 2017.