Last year, I was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Wood Ave at the intersection with Adair St.   Sadly, this was not an isolated event.  A man was struck by a car in the same intersection in 2012  and a child in a stroller was hit crossing further down Wood ave in May this year.

My child, along with numerous others, utilize this crosswalk daily to get to and from Highland Park Elementary School as well as the skate park and Sunbelt Arena.   We have witnessed too many close calls, and it's only a matter of time before  tragic accident occurs with increased traffic, both vehicles and pedestrians. 

The current setup is dangerously insufficient.  The school zone, which is meant to protect children and ensure their safety used to end approximately 5 meters beyond the bus lane exit of the school.  It has recently been extended slightly, but still falls short of adequately covering the critical area covering Adair St. The lack of a pedestrian-controlled light at the crosswalk exacerbates the risk, leaving pedestrians vulnerable and drivers often unaware of crossing individuals, especially during peak school hours.

Armstrong, BC, deserves safer streets for our children. A pedestrian-controlled light at the Wood Ave & Adair St crosswalk would significantly increase visibility and safety for pedestrians. Extending the school zone west of Adair St would further ensure vehicles approach this area with necessary caution, reducing potential accidents.

The other schools in town have pedestrian controlled lights near them.  Highland Park is just as close to the outskirts of town where traffic comes speeding in from and it deserves as much consideration to pedestrian safety.  

From the City of Armstrong’s website:  Notably, 67% of pedestrian collisions occurred at marked crosswalks, highlighting the need for improved pedestrian safety measures.

Statistics show that pedestrian-controlled crosswalks can reduce accidents by up to 70%, providing a safe passage for both children and adults. 

I contacted both the city and the school district a year ago.  Minor improvements have been made, with the addition of a ‘your speed’ digital sign placed in the middle of the school zone as well as a small extension to the school zone itself.  These steps are appreciated, but still fall short of protecting pedestrians crossing at Wood Ave and Adair st.  

We urge the City of Armstrong to prioritize the safety of its residents, especially its youngest ones, by installing a pedestrian-controlled light at this critical crosswalk and extending the Highland Park Elementary School zone west of Adair St. We must act now before another preventable accident occurs.

Please sign this petition to make our streets safer for everyone.