Pregnant pause
Expecting mother wants motorists to pay attention after almost being struck in Sydney crosswalk
A pregnant woman who was almost struck while in a Sydney crosswalk is calling on area motorists to be more aware of pedestrians.
Jean Reid, who is five months pregnant, said she was walking to work recently when she was almost hit by a vehicle that paid her no heed as she crossed Falmouth Street on the west side of Bentinck Street in Sydney.
“It was so close I had to jump back and I fell down — something has to be done, this is the most dangerous crossing around,” said Reid, who added that as a frequent walker she has noticed widespread disregard for pedestrians on the part of motorists.
“They’re just not paying attention. The person that almost hit me was smoking a cigarette and then just kept on going.”
Reid, who is employed at a downtown shop, said she reported the incident to police, but was told there was nothing they could do about it.
“I understand that, but I still think this has to be dealt with — it is a big problem and it’s very dangerous, especially now with the icy streets and sidewalks,” she said.
Reid’s plea for increased driver awareness comes less than two weeks after a 54-yearold man died following a car and pedestrian collision on a dark stretch of Highway 125 at around 9:30 p.m. on March 11.
In October, a 16-year-old girl sustained serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Welton and Willow streets in Sydney. And a man died after he was hit by a vehicle while walking at the intersection of East and Fourth streets in Glace Bay in June.
Under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act, failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian who is lawfully within a crosswalk may result in a fine of almost $400. Conversely, pedestrians who are crossing a roadway at any point other than a crosswalk and fail to yield the right of way to vehicles are also subject to a similar fine.
However, the act also states that both drivers and pedestrians are bound to exercise due care and the provisions of the legislation do not relieve either of that responsibility.
Drivers and pedestrians are also reminded that there is a crosswalk at every intersection regardless of whether or not it is marked by paint and signage.