r/niagara • u/Dependent-Winner5743 • 1d ago
Was I actually required to stop here? Pedestrians on a median island gave me the finger and yelled “Fuck you.”
I've been driving for over 25 years, and something happened today on Niagara River Parkway that genuinely confused me.
I was driving along the main road when I noticed two pedestrians standing on the raised median island in the middle of the road. They had already crossed the opposite lane but had not entered my lane.
I checked the signs as I approached. The small STOP sign was facing the adjacent multi-use path, not my direction. I didn't see a STOP or YIELD sign facing my lane.
Since the pedestrians were still standing on the island, I continued driving. Traffic on this road moves fairly quickly, so I also didn't think stopping unnecessarily would be a good idea.
As I passed, one of the pedestrians gave me the middle finger and yelled “Fuck you.”
I was genuinely surprised by that reaction.
My understanding is that a pedestrian refuge island allows people to cross the road in two stages, waiting for a safe gap in traffic before crossing the second half.
So here's my question for Ontario drivers:
Was I legally required to stop for pedestrians waiting on the median island, even though they hadn't entered my lane and there was no STOP sign facing me?
If I misunderstood the rules, I'm happy to be corrected. But if I didn't, why would someone react so aggressively toward a driver simply continuing along the main road?
I've attached dashcam footage so people can judge the situation for themselves.
I'd appreciate opinions based on Ontario traffic laws, not just personal preferences about who should be courteous to whom.