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Step forward to ensure pedestrians stay safe

Editor: I am writing to express my concern regarding the crosswalk at Ladner Trunk Road and 55B Street. On Tuesday morning a young lady was hit on her way to her first day of school.

Editor:

I am writing to express my concern regarding the crosswalk at Ladner Trunk Road and 55B Street.

On Tuesday morning a young lady was hit on her way to her first day of school. Apparently this isn't the first time a pedestrian has been hit here.

I had a call too close for comfort about six years ago, which left me extremely shaken for the day. Ever since, I've been concerned about the lack of safety at this particular location.

I spoke to a number of people today, from neighbours to daycare staff to people I ran into in town while I ran my errands, and every single one had a story of a close encounter at the specified crosswalk.

One of my neighbour's son was just about hit and another neighbour was almost struck.

The way the sun rises and sets along Trunk Road can be blinding for a driver depending on the time of day and time of year. Perhaps people aren't as aware as they should be having just driven through either the lighted intersection at 57th Street or Linden Drive and not expecting another "slow down" area.

My housing complex is located directly in front of this crosswalk with many children residing and playing in the area. As a mother of two, it's frightening to think of what could possibly happen.

My 11-year-old son attends math tutoring at the Ladner Baptist Church across the street and I have forbid him to use this crosswalk, so he walks to the lighted intersection at 57th Street to cross.

Ideally, this crosswalk should be changed to a lighted intersection versus the current flashing yellow lights that are barely visible.

The safety of our children and residents alike should be priority, so raising awareness and safety at this location is imperative. If a child were killed at this crosswalk because no one took the time to stop and raise awareness and ask for change, it would devastate our lovely community.

I challenge anyone who remotely has any of the same concerns as myself, or has experienced a close encounter of their own at this intersection, to please step forward and tell your story and join me in asking the mayor and the Corporation of Delta to kindly make a change for the safety of pedestrians.

Misty Fredericks