Our street in Whitecroft, BC, sees a high volume of foot traffic, with children often playing outside, families walking, and animals freely roaming the neighborhood. Unfortunately, both of our cats have been hit by vehicles in recent years, and I know of multiple other incidents involving pets being struck on this same street. These accidents are heartbreaking and avoidable.

Children are often playing in the streets and riding their bikes together, it is actually quite surprising that an accident hasn’t already happened. Also with the new park that is going in the cul-de-sac the number of foot/kid traffic is going to increase. 

Drivers often seem unaware of any speed restrictions due to the lack of signage, and there are no traffic calming measures in place to slow the traffic. As a community deeply woven together, we need to act now to ensure safety for our children, families, and beloved pets.

Changing the current speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h and/or implementing traffic calming measures such as speed bumps can drastically reduce the risk of accidents. Studies have shown that lower speed limits result in fewer accidents and reduce the severity when they do occur. Additionally, traffic calming measures like speed bumps have been proven to effectively manage and reduce speeding in residential areas. Implementing these changes will not only save the lives of pets but will also significantly enhance the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), reducing speed limits in residential areas can decrease the risk of accidents by up to 30%. Furthermore, research from the Canadian Institute of Transportation Engineers highlights that communities with comprehensive traffic calming programs have witnessed remarkable improvements in pedestrian safety.

We urge the local authorities to prioritize the safety of the Whitecroft community by addressing this critical issue. Changing the speed limit and placing appropriate traffic calming measures is a necessary step to protect our way of life.

Please sign this petition to show your support in creating a safer, more secure environment for everyone in Whitecroft, BC.