Spark — Nov. 26, 2022

Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/11/2022 (759 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I regularly use the unlit crosswalk at the intersection of 15th Street and Princess Avenue in the weekday mornings, and quite often in the afternoons around Brandon’s version of rush hour. Most of the time, I’m taking my kids to and from the school bus pick-up and drop-off points.

While I do appreciate the fact that most motorists make an effort to stop when they see someone waiting at that particular crossing, it remains a very dangerous spot when drivers are in a rush to get home.

One of the major problems at that particular location is that motorists are allowed to park vehicles close to the white crosswalk signs that mark the location on either side of this two-lane, one-way street. And when a large truck parks close to the sign, a pedestrian has to literally step out into traffic to be seen. I have been forced to do so more than once when passing motorists have either been unable to see my kids and I waiting at the curb, or they’re in a hurry and don’t care to stop.

My suggestion to the city would be to limit parking availability close to these signs so that passing motorists are more likely to see waiting pedestrians, thus cutting down the chances of being hit. Even better, install lights at this particular crossing. While the latter option is obviously more expensive, I’d suggest the city try the first one.

MATT GOERZEN

Brandon