A Tofino resident is concerned after three traffic accidents within a year at the Sandpiper Crescent crosswalk.
"This is a serious safety issue that I believe requires urgent attention," Lisa Hasse wrote in her letter to council. "I would appreciate any updates or further steps that I can take to ensure this is a priority matter."
Council discussed the situation during its Jan. 28 meeting.
Coun. Tom Stere said it was an opportunity to contact the Ministry of Transportation and Transit (MOTT) and inform them of “another accident at that particular location, hence the pressure to do something.”
Coun. Al Anderson mentioned council had looked at having the speed limit reduced and asked staff if there was an update on that.
Staff told council the speed limit was lowered to 60 km/h when the crosswalk was installed.
However, when the district approached MOTT about lowering the speed limit further or putting more safety measures in place, it was told that the suggested changes are not warranted.
“Although the letter writer has spoken of three accidents, there is several near-misses, like almost daily,” said Coun. Sarah Sloman, who lives close to the crosswalk on Sandpiper Cres.
One option to improve safety at that corner would be to remove the crosswalk because people assume using a crosswalk means they are safe, said Aaron Rodgers, director of infrastructure and public works, who used a video game analogy to get his point across.
“If you have to be a Frogger and get across the highway, you’re a little bit more careful.”
