Longtime education assistant Caroline Thompson admits drivers do set off tears of fear on occasion while sheB次元官网网址檚 acting as crossing guard at the intersection of Cook and Quadra streets.
It doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen often, but on occasion she feels forced to file police reports on particularly aggressive drivers.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a duck, I just let it roll off my back,B次元官网网址� she said, a bit bewildered and a lot frustrated by the actions of some. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 just a nice lady trying to get kids across the street safely.B次元官网网址�
Twice a day she does the work when students are heading to and from primarily Cloverdale Traditional School. But she also aids the average citizen walking in the area.
She is subject to people rolling down the window and shouting greetings of joy, as well as apparent hatred. By and large, drivers are courteous, friendly, generous and safe, she said, but there are enough that arenB次元官网网址檛 to be concerning.
Parents who use the route have seen several near-misses, with children left in tears because they were so close to being hit.
Parent Malakai Button figures sheB次元官网网址檚 nearly been hit 10 times in the past six months B次元官网网址� at times with two kids and a stroller, theyB次元官网网址檙e a bulky group and should be visible.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just such a dangerous intersection,B次元官网网址� she said.
The fear and anxiety she feels walking her kids to school spurred a petition started a couple weeks ago that is gaining traction online.
It outlines what they see. Drivers not slowing, or not stopping as the law may require, before turning with the right-hand lane from Cook to Quadra frequently treated like an onramp or merge lane, she said.
B次元官网网址淚deally, this intersection is so poorly designed that it should be completely redone, but in the interim there should be some things implemented for safety purposes,B次元官网网址� Button said.
B次元官网网址淚t can be a challenging intersection for sure,B次元官网网址� agreed Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, chair of the transportation advisory committee.
ItB次元官网网址檚 one definitely on the radar, identified both in a Quadra/McKenzie study B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 in the development phase now through March 2024 with a potential draft plan coming after that B次元官网网址� and in the safer routes to school plan that revisits every school in the district on a rotation to identify and update concerns.
The lack of cycling lanes was identified in the last update in 2021, with the next look at Cloverdale scheduled for 2026.
But itB次元官网网址檚 not a new issue, Phelps Bondaroff said B次元官网网址� in 2016, parents raised similar concerns.
What may also have changed is the school became a catchment school, likely adding to a boost in school commutes by modes other than vehicles.
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Other relevant work underway is the impending review of the district active transportation plan, as well as a traffic-calming measures study, Phelps Bondaroff said.
B次元官网网址淲e can always do better of course, but itB次元官网网址檚 nice to know Saanich is on top of these things,B次元官网网址� he said.
Most parents agree, Button said, that Saanich seems to care about safety and alternative modes of transportation. The intersection is likely to see a revamp, but the timing could be years out. Parents hope to see some minor, relatively inexpensive, aids considered in the interim.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really important that safety be a priority in our communities. Kids should be able to walk to school,B次元官网网址� Button said. B次元官网网址淚 know itB次元官网网址檚 a priority in Saanich and there have been people killed B次元官网网址� there have been kids killed B次元官网网址� in our community, in the last many years and we donB次元官网网址檛 want to see that happening again. ItB次元官网网址檚 preventable.B次元官网网址�
Find the petition online at .
