Prince Rupert city council say both drivers and pedestrians need to be more careful in order to avoid a potentially fatal incident.
The discussion began with when the issue of large trucks moving through downtown was raised by Counc. Judy Carlick-Pearson, who said the situation downtown has only gotten worse.
“I have had people concerned that the big trucks travelling through town are driving faster than normal … it doesn’t matter if it is foggy or not, they just blow through intersections,” she said.
Counc. Barry Cunningham also voiced his displeasure with the drivers, but also with the lack of enforcement.
“I’ve personally seen trucks run through red lights … I’ve seen drivers on their cell phones while driving down McBride and when you’re handling a load that size, you need to be completely focussed,” he said.
“We just don’t seem to have any traffic control any more in this town.”
Counc. Gina Garon noted the issue of safety was not confined to just those behind the wheel and that the onus fell on the pedestrian as well.
“Whether it is your right to walk out onto the crosswalk or not, please don’t unless you have checked both ways. It seems people step off the curb expecting vehicles to yield and that is not always the case,” she said, a sentiment that was echoed by Counc. Cunningham.
“Those white lines are not walls that will protect you from everything,” he said.
To try and address one particularly concerning area, Prince Rupert city council will be asking the Ministry of Transportation to install a pedestrian-controlled light at the intersection of 2nd Ave. West and 1st Street, the crosswalk beside the old Husky station.
