Social media channels were abuzz last week with concerns over safety around town crosswalks.
Parents in Sunset Ridge were among those pointing out the traffic congestion and resulting safety issues for children at the crosswalks near the area school – RancheView.
But volunteer parents and school staff must be mindful that they are only helping students safely make their way across the street – and careful not to redirect traffic flow.
“Community members do not have the authority to direct traffic, that authority is appointed by the Solicitor General to members of Cochrane’s law enforcement community including community peace officers,” explained Frank Borsos, manager of municipal enforcement for the town.
“It was noted by a Cochrane peace officer conducting a regular school patrol,” said Borsos. “The Rocky View Schools representative was spoken to and the concerns and liabilities involved were brought forward by the peace officer. We expressed our support for a crossing guard program.”
Borsos emphasized that in accordance with legislation, crossing guards are not permitted to manage traffic flow.
“Crossing guards, parents and volunteers may only ensure that pedestrians are visible to the motoring public and escort them across roadways when and where it is safe to do so,” he added.
Due to the RVS week off school, the Cochrane Eagle was unable to connect with the school in time for deadline regarding possible implementation of a crossing guard program.
Rochelle Snively is a Sunset Ridge resident and mother of four who is concerned about the amount of traffic at peak times for her two children walking to and from school.
Snively commends school staff and volunteers – crossing guards who ensure students cross the busy street carefully, but remains concerned that the school is in such a busy location with a parking shortage in the surrounding area.
“Unfortunately, the streets surrounding the school are poorly designed for moving traffic in and out of the area, so there are too many cars, too many people in a rush, and too many poorly parked vehicles blocking both driveways and crosswalks,” said Snively.
Coun. Marni Fedeyko is a Sunset Ridge resident and mother of three, whose children attend RancheView. Last year, Fedeyko brought forward a motion at council to reduce speed zones in noted areas of concern. Four of these areas saw a reduction in speed limits.
Fedeyko also feels there are planning concerns with the location of RancheView and the surrounding parking and traffic congestion.
“I believe it is only a matter of time before a child is badly hurt. Impatience, distraction and bad planning are all in play,” she said, adding that the onus is on the town to address these concerns and ensure safety measures are put in place to address the crosswalk concerns around RancheView School.
The town has evaluated 11 existing locations, eight of which passed the warrant process for enhancement and solar-powered crosswalks to be installed. Currently, the town has 13 solar-powered crosswalks.
This year’s budget includes the crosswalks at George Fox Trail and Crawford Drive; Sunset Common and Sunset Blvd.; and the mid-block crossing near Holy Spirit School at First Street East.
Lucy Lovelock is a support staff worker at Holy Spirit School, with two daughters in attendance. One of her top crosswalk concerns is the one located near the library along Railway Street.
“Cars park too close – sometimes on the yellow strips that are painted there – and I have often been halfway across and cars don’t even see me. There are many kids and young families who use that crosswalk to get to dance, bowling and the library and the speed limit is 50 km/hr – so a crosswalk with flashing lights would make it so much easier to see,” said Lovelock. “It’s an accident waiting to happen.”
This crosswalk is budgeted for improvements in 2020, according to the town’s capital projects list.
According to Laurie Drukier, senior communications advisor for the town, the 2019-2012 capital and operating budgets includes funding to install two crosswalk enhancements per year.
To qualify for install, the location must meet the Transportation Association of Canada Pedestrian Control Guide, as well as site-specific concerns. Evaluations include history of collisions, proximity to parks, seniors facilities and schools/playgrounds, as well as speed of roadway.
The town is currently assessing all the crosswalks at RancheView School.
