Editor, The News:
Re: No crossing signal coming for 224th Street (The News Views, July 8).
I think the biggest reason we have motorist/pedestrian accidents is because of lack of police presence on the roads in Maple Ridge to enforce speed and use of cell phones while driving.
I am not a senior, but I walk most of the time in Maple Ridge and I have yet to see a police officer anywhere enforcing the speed limit.
With a lack of police presence, drivers feel they are entitled to travel at the speed they feel comfortable driving at as opposed to driving safely within the speed limit.
Careless, distracted speeding motorists will continue to disregard the speed limits on the roads and injuries and fatalities will continue to occur if the police are no where to be seen on the streets.
I walk my son to and from school everyday for this reason. I don’t feel comfortable letting him walk on his own.
Although I feel comfortable with his ability and judgement when walking on the road (no sidewalk) or crossing the street, I have very little confidence in the motorists who are completely distracted or travelling at very unsafe, high speeds throughout residential areas and on main roads like Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road.
It is very sad when the municipality feels that multiple facilities on one road does not warrant the installation of adding a pedestrian controlled light.
You mention in this article the pedestrian should make eye contact with the driver before stepping off the curb and crossing. I agree. I do this on a regular basis. But then there is no accountability for the driver, who should always be paying attention to the road and not using the a cell phone or exceeding the speed limit, which causes most accidents.
I heard that ICBC will be raising our insurance rates due to the increase in personal injury claims. I believe in prevention rather than treatment.
If there was a police presence on the roads to begin with, enforcing speed limits and other driving laws, I am sure this would reduce the number of distracted, speeding drivers and, thus, prevent injuries and deaths for those of us who are brave enough to venture out and actually walk throughout the town.
Leigla Watson
Maple Ridge
