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John Webster A strong full-time voice for Ward 5 Re-elect John Webster on October 25, 2010 |
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Fatal Accident at Swan Lake Road and 16th Avenue
August 23, 2010
I have repeatedly asked the Region of York Traffic Engineers to improve this intersection for the safety of pedestrians. They have made improvements, but I'm afraid they were not enough.
York Regional Police have advised me that an 84 year old female pedestrian was struck and killed this morning at approximately 9:45 am and the circumstances surrounding the cause are still under investigation.
The driver involved in the collision was not injured.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call the York Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit at 1-866-876-5423, extension 7703
After I had contacted the Region of York about improving the intersection, they added the countdown display boards on the traffic light poles to let pedestrians know how long they have to cross before the light turns yellow. They have told me that they also extended the time to cross to the maximum that they can. However, I fear that it is not long enough.
If the pedestrian button is not pushed, the light for north and south traffic is green for only about 10 seconds. (This was timed by my watch, so I may be out by a few seconds.) A healthy pedestrian who does not push the button will barley make it to the center of the intersection in that time.
If the button is pushed, the light is delayed to allow 25 seconds, plus another 6 seconds when the light is yellow. 31 seconds is sufficient for me to walk briskly across the 4 lanes plus a turning lane, but this intersection is the entrance to Swan Lake an the retirement residence.
More needs to be done here, and at two other intersections.
Highway 48 and Highway 7 is a massive expanse of asphalt and is very difficult to cross from the seniors residence at Thompson Court to the Markham Village Library.
The other area that needs help is at Highway 7 and Christman Court / Wideman Street. This intersection does not have a lot of traffic, but it is a major route for students who cross on their way to and from Markham District High School. There are no lights here, nor is there a safety island in the middle of the 5 lanes of rush hour traffic.
I am again appealing for help from the Region of York
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