Dear Editor,
There needs to be better lighting on our crosswalks.
I had the terrifying experience of not seeing someone on the crosswalk outside Kyle’s No Frills until the person was in the middle of the crosswalk. The existing overhead signage does nothing to alert drivers to someone waiting to cross, or is on the crosswalk.
It was a miserable night – dark, windy and raining hard. The individual was dressed in dark clothing, head down crossing the crosswalk. Thankfully, I stopped in the nick of time!
I was visibly shaken. In relating my experience to other drivers, it is apparent that there have been many near misses, on several crosswalks in our town, more often than not, in the same fall and winter conditions.
Kitimat thrives on safety first, more so, with the large industrial base that sustained us. Safety should not be a workplace ritual only – it has to extend to our children, seniors and pedestrians alike when crossing the road.
What can be done to overcome this hazard? I would ask the Mayor and Council to address this concern before someone is killed or maimed.
Yours sincerely,
Alain St Pierre
District of Kitimat Chief Administrative Officer Warren Waycheshen responded to the Northern Sentinel:
The District of Kitimat evaluates road safety and pedestrian interactions on an ongoing basis. As part of the 2019 budget process, Council will consider the installation of three user-activated flashing lights at key crosswalks including the Lahakas Blvd. crossing nearest to Kyle’s No Frills. The installation would allow the pedestrian to activate flashing lights prior to crossing. the road.