Drivers have to pay attention to pedestrians on city crosswalks
By Lethbridge Herald on September 14, 2024.
Editor:
While out walking in the Agnes Davidson/Victoria Park area on a recent evening, my dog and I were nearly struck in a crosswalk (16 Ave. S. and 17 St.) when six cars blew through the signed and marked crosswalk, and a seventh tried to stop, only to be rear-ended, sending the car through the crosswalk in front of us.
Thank you to the EMS responders who were on the scene in literal seconds, and to the neighbours from around the intersection who came out to lend aid.
It is not OK to ignore pedestrians waiting to cross the street. It is not OK to continue through crosswalks while there is someone in the crosswalk. It is not OK to speed and tailgate down residential streets.
Do better, drivers of Lethbridge. No one should die on a walk.
Kelti Baird
Lethbridge
8-7
Couldn’t agree more, as two days ago I was within two inches of some dolt putting me in emergency. Park Place Mall by entrance to winners. Dangerville on bikes of all stripes as well.
It sure seems to be a go-go-go, me-me-me, thing these days. The untimely deaths of the Gaudreau brothers comes to mind. Even on 4-lane highways in Alberta, doing 118 mph is nothing…vehicles blowing by at + + speeds. And, photo radar controls are being decreased in this province. As has been said, as a result, a scenario for more accidents and deaths, without police and deterrent patrols.
I agree that us drivers must be more vigilant when approaching a crosswalk. Pedestrians should never assume they are good to go when using a crosswalk. Always make sure any approaching vehicle sees u and is going to stop. Another concern as a driver is making a right turn and having a bicycle or scooter on ur blindside overtaking u on the right. Besides using the turn signal check ur mirrors. I’ve had more then one close call. George
Please help me understand. Assuming its not on one of these bike lane scenarios I am making a right turn from the proper right hand lane and I have my turning signal on and I am paying attentions to possible pedestrians why should I anticipate a bicycle sneaking by me between my car and the curb on the right. The bicycle should stay behind me like any other vehicle should and passing me on the right is totally irresponsible of the bicycle.
good letter bringing to light an important issue. seeing as we have quite some stretches in town already where playground/school zones come into play most of the day, further reducing residential limits to 40 will make things safer. speeding will be most usually at a lower limit than it is now, and those topping 60 will find themselves with good fine and demerits.
I fully concur with the writer. Everyone seems to be in a hurry these days. Add to that, the mental distractions and lack of driving skills (very evident), it makes one wonder if they have reduced the test requirements to obtain a driver’s license.
As another commenter stated, if the speed limit is 110 km/hr on the major highways, and you are doing 118 (which more than compensates for speedometer error) you are likely to be passed by every other vehicle. This is common on the highway between Calgary and Edmonton. I think if the police did active projects on these roads, and appropriate fines were levied, we could have all the money the government would need to fully find health care and education. The best way to reeducate the public is to hit them in the pocketbook.