Crosswalk safety falls on both driver and pedestrian
ANTIGONISH, N.S. - It’s an important message that needs to be highlighted every now and again ... and now is one of those times.
Crosswalk safety is a partnership between the driver and pedestrian.
“That is what we’re trying to promote; obviously drivers have a big responsibility, but pedestrians also bear some of the responsibility to ensure it’s safe to go across,” Antigonish RCMP community policing officer Const. Morgan MacPherson recently told the Casket.
MacPherson said the RCMP have received a few calls about close calls on Antigonish streets recently and pointed out one busy crosswalk in particular: on Main Street by the Acadia Street intersection. “I guess that one is really bad in the evenings,” MacPherson said of the crosswalk which is used often due to its proximity to some popular downtown businesses.
“Drivers are not slowing down at all and, having said that, I’ve driven through there myself and, a lot of times, people just walk right out without a whole lot of looking to make sure everything is safe,” he said, again emphasizing the onus is on both driver and pedestrian.
“At all crosswalks, but one like that in particular, where there are no lights. So, it really is up to them to make eye-contact with the driver; that’s what we try to stress to pedestrians and drivers … be more alert around that crosswalk as well.”
At Antigonish town council’s regular monthly public meeting Feb. 19, Coun. Andrew Murray said a lot of crosswalk paint has disappeared from town streets.
Council and staff talked about weather and having to use a different style of paint. It was noted safety flags, successfully used at other crosswalks around town, will be incorporated at the Main Street crosswalk near Acadia Street.
“We would like to get more lighting there too,” Mayor Laurie Boucher told reporters.
She noted the plan would be to have the crosswalks repainted before St. F.X. spring convocation.
“Especially where it is still dark early these days, you have to make sure, as a driver, you are aware of where the crosswalks are, slow down and make sure no one is crossing,” she said.
MacPherson said the RCMP traffic unit has been tasked with monitoring crosswalks.
“If that alone gets people to pay a little bit more attention, than that’s good too,” he said. “Our guys will be out there enforcing it and the fines are pretty hefty, up to $700 for drivers who fail to yield at a crosswalk, so it can be pricey,” he said, adding it can cost someone points off of their licence as well.