I was coming back from my usual walk from the McKenzie Marsh and ran into this sign. Personally it wasn't me who knocked it like that, just literally I saw it and I took a few pictures of this damaged 40 km/h sign. The inspiration of posting this photo came from all the 14 fetal pedestrian accidents this month alone, yes in a month alone, in Toronto area. In addition it saddens me that 28 year old mother of a baby was also killed.
Many times I asked myself the following questions - Are our sidewalks safe? Are they too close to the road? Why driver's speed around intersections or crosswalks? Why drivers do not stop on the stop signs (a story for another day)? Lets take for an example the McKenzie Marshland boardwalk and sidewalk combined on the St. John's sideroad. I think, and this is my opinion about the boardwalk/sidewalk stretching from Bayview to Young, is either for pedestrians or drivers. Now, we have for both. It is a busy road for both, as drivers enjoy the nice fast bypass (good thing we have police from time to time setting up speed traps), and pedestrians enjoy the boardwalk on both sides. The sidewalks in some parts are just too close to the road - not safe. Us people we are not any better, we are like ducks, we will try to cross the road - not safe. Not to point out that the sign around the train track says, watch out for Crossing Seniors, and marked crosswalks for passing seniors are no where to be found. My guess is no crossing is allowed, and the sign is for caution only. However, don't you think its kind of stupid that you have to walk all the way up to Young Street to get to the other side of the marsh boardwalk. In the case of this St. John's sideroad it isn't stupid, because the road has hills and it is hard to see upcoming cars from both ways.
The concept is great for the McKenzie Marsh, but I still think that many things were overlooked for humans yet build perfect for nature. Saying perfect for nature, but never know too. Once I saw mother Canada goose laying eggs on the side between sidewalk and the busy road; and Trumpeter Swan running back and forth on the boardwalk because didn't know how to come back to the water.
Speaking all that. We will never be able to build something perfect and safe, and there always will be someone not satisfied. Therefore, please be aware of your surroundings around busy streets whether they are safe or not when you are pedestrian, and watch out for pedestrians if you are a driver. Be safe on the streets of Aurora.
1 comments:
All those pedestrian accidents has everyone thinking.
Here in Stouffville there is a crosswalk that is right in the darkest space between two streetlights. It's worse than useless; it's a trap. As I driver, I keep my eyes peeled but still can't see anybody until they've stepped into the road.
Much to think about there.
PS. I'm on dial-up, which is the only reason I don't visit your wonderful blog as regularly as I should. I do catch up though, & thanks so much for visiting mine. It means a lot to me.
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