Motorist using private property to avoid intersection
Motorists using business property to avoid intersection causes concern
A school crossing guard says he’s concerned that motorists detouring through a private business to avoid a three-way stop intersection will cause an accident.
“I see it every day,” said Raymond McLellan, who is stationed at the Emerald Street and Union Highway intersection in River Ryan. “It’s very concerning.”
McLellan said when there are several cars on Union Highway waiting at the stop sign on Emerald Street by Spike’s Ideal Car Care he’ll see a motorist cut through the garage property where the driveway extends from Union Highway on to Emerald Street.
McLellan is worried someone is going to get hurt.
“People are driving like maniacs going through there, they don’t slow down at all,” he said. “The people working in the garage and their customers are always coming in and out all the time. Something is going to happen.”
McLellan said he works at the crosswalk in the morning, at noon and again in the afternoon and he says the traffic problems go on during all times of the day.
As well he said the same problems happen at the Sobeys Fast Fuels garage across the street.
“It’s not done as often but I do see it happening once in awhile.”
McLellan, who contacted the Cape Breton Regional Police about the issue, said as well motorists are not stopping at the three stop signs.
“They are treating all three as yield signs.”
Michael Gillis, owner of Spike’s Ideal Car Care, said the situation has been “simply a menace” on his property.
“In the morning when they see the traffic they just cut right off the road and come through and they’re not slowing down.”
Gillis said from 8-9 a.m. he’s always at the main desk in the garage assigning his workers their appointments and has witnessed how bad it can be during that time.
“I’ll sit and watch and it’s not exaggerating to say there will be four to five cars doing this in an hour.
He said as the day goes on he’ll be busy with customers but will catch the odd motorist doing it through the day.
“The crossing guard witnesses it and every day he’ll brief me.”
He said the problem began when the intersection was turned into a three-way stop.
“I’m sure it was happening before once in awhile but since they put the three-way stop in it’s been bad, really bad.
“They don’t even stop, they hang a right and just drive right through my lot. What if a customer is walking out?” It’s scary, someone’s going to get hurt.”
Gillis said he has complained to police and was advised to posts signs warning his driveway is not a thruway. However he said signs are costly and probably won’t be obeyed. He also can’t block off either entrance as both are important to his business.
“That is my business. Convenience is a big part of everything.”
The intersection used to be an area where motorists travelling down Union Highway could drive straight through with a left or right turn. There was a yield sign by Sobeys Fast Fuels and a stop sign on Emerald Street by the garage.
Sgt. Joe Farrell of the Cape Breton Regional Police traffic unit said the intersection was changed to a three-way stop prior to the new school year because St. Agnes and Mount Carmel schools closed and the children were moved to New Waterford School (the former Greenfield School).
“We knew there would be more students walking to school in this area and wanted to tighten traffic control.”
Farrell said as a result of the crossing guard’s complaint an officer was sent out to investigate.
“I will be speaking to the crossing guard again and to the owner of the garage to see what assistance we can provide.”
Farrell said it is a big concern when motorists are cutting across a private property in the manner described. He said they have dealt with similar problems on the Northside.
Farrell said options could include closing one of the business entrances but a business can’t sell gas or repair vehicles if the accesses get blocked.