Petition to the City of New Westminster to Improve Safety at 6th Ave & 2nd Street School Crosswalk

This petition was created by parents, families, and residents of the New Westminster community. We are concerned citizens who have witnessed frequent vehicular accidents at the intersection of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street. We’ve witnessed countless near misses both when a crossing guard is present and even more when not. We are fearing for the safety of our children walking to and from school (at hours that also capture before and after school care and activities beyond the bell schedule).

This intersection, situated within a school zone, serves as a crossing for kids attending L’Ecole Herbert Spencer Elementary School. Glenbrook students also use this crossing. Hundreds of parents, children, elderly and residents cross 6th street at this location every school day. 

The intersection at 6th Avenue and 2nd Street New Westminster has proven to be perilous due to the frequency of traffic incidents occurring there. The traffic at this location is heavy and is sure to increase with the continued changes in New West. The situation demands our immediate attention and action to prevent potential tragedies involving our young students. 

One local mom wrote “I grabbed my daughter and nieces by their coat hoods back onto the curb as a vehicle flew through this intersection. There are frequent accidents because of the confusing traffic management plan. Too many near misses for a pedestrian heavy intersection in a school zone and residential area.” Another parent noted “A car crash last week led to a vehicle being thrown into the exact spot on the sidewalk where my daughter was standing only 3 minutes earlier as she was waiting for the cross walk signal, coming home from school, with her dad.” 

Traffic accidents are unfortunately common near schools. Across Canada, on average 43 deaths and 3,000 serious child pedestrian injuries occur each year (Transport Canada, 2021). If we don't take immediate and concrete steps to improve the safety of this intersection, we risk our children becoming part of this sad statistic.

It is crucial to implement increased safety measures at this school cross street. We need to work together to transform the intersection of 6th Avenue and 2nd Street into a safe passage for our community's children. Examining and implementing safety measures will also support the elderly and disabled folks in our community who use this area and need to be protected.

Please, sign this petition and lend your voice to this urgent and worthwhile cause.