One of my favourite ways to get around town is also the most old-fashioned ways to get around town. Some days I wonder why I put up with all the distracted drivers, missing crosswalks, annoying push buttons and being the lowest class citizen at intersections, but then I remember the joy of moving slowly, allowing my thoughts to wonder and soaking up the sights and sounds of the city. Whether it’s July or January, I’d rather just lace my boots up and walk.
“Everyone is a pedestrian,” Ken Reashor once quipped. As the city’s Traffic Authority, he has sole responsibility in approving or denying changes to roadways. He can even veto a decision of council, under the guise of safety. This year, the city was forced to create a Crosswalk Safety Advisory Committee, because too many “pedestrians” are killing other pedestrians while careening about in two-tonne steel boxes.
In 2012, 140 Halifax pedestrians were struck by cars. Four of them died. While complete stats for this year are not yet available, since Labour Day, three Metro Transit drivers have been charged with failing to yield to a pedestrian in the crosswalk. If we’re all pedestrians, shouldn’t we be looking out for each other?
When strolling across the Common on my way to work, I like to think about the stuff I’ve seen around the world.
In Toronto, there is an intersection where pedestrians can cross in any direction, including diagonally! Once per cycle, all lights turn red and pedestrians are offered a free-for-all, just like in the good old days.
Beatles fans are familiar with the zebra stripes on the Abbey Road album cover. In continental Europe, many crosswalks are painted bright blue so that they really stand out. Here in Halifax, we’re left with thin white stripes, sometimes only half-painted.
Why can’t we have crossings like those? To their credit, the city’s engineers seem open to making some changes for pedestrian safety as long as intersections remain “within standards.” I’ve never been able to get a straight answer for these “standards,” but anyone asked is quite clear: the goal is to move as many cars as possible across the peninsula.
Since everyone is a pedestrian, let’s change the conversation. We need to move people across the city.
Like a kid in a candy shop, I’ve been gleefully eyeing the repairs surrounding the new central library. The city has finally acknowledged the pedestrian crossing at Brunswick Street and Spring Garden Road, where hundreds of people used to brave the sprint through traffic every day. Councillor Waye Mason has repeatedly floated the idea of scramble crosswalks at Spring Garden Road and Queen Street, as well as Barrington and Duke Streets. By providing certainty for all road users, crosswalk enhancements benefit pedestrians and drivers alike.
Hardly a day goes by where I don’t spot at least one distracted driver sending a text message. Every week I witness drivers rolling through stop signs, not checking for pedestrians on the side streets, or failing to look both ways. Even though I get to enjoy the use of my cell phone when walking, I have to stop and look both ways even when I clearly have the right of way. I’ve had too many close calls to risk crossing in any other way.
Despite the few gains we’ve achieved this year, there have been some really public setbacks. The Macdonald Bridge sidewalks and bike lanes are being hauled out for the re-decking project. The Chain of Lakes Trail is being shut down for a sewer. City tendering processes leave some crosswalks half-painted. A wholehearted effort from council and staff is required to improve the pedestrian experience.
The next time you’re coming downtown to shop or visit the doctor, I urge you to park 10 minutes from your destination. As you finish that walk on foot, you’ll understand the joys and risks I’m talking about. Keep your eyes open—we’re all pedestrians.
Ben Wedge is an engineer in training and is a private consultant working to enhance citizen service delivery for the provincial government. He is a vocal member of the active transportation community as a member of the CSAC and as a co-chair of the Halifax Cycling Coalition. He regularly tweets about active transportation issues @benwedge
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This article appears in Pop Explosion.
The ‘standards’ have been adopted nationally and mirror US standards.
My first change to pedestrian safety would be to eliminate the section of the MVA which describes every intersection as a pedestrian crossing, and I would require pedestrians to cross a road at marked crossings with lights and signals. The overhead lighting at crosswalks is abysmal and should be replaced with lighting that clearly illuminates a pedestrian.
Joeblow:
That wouldn’t work. In your scenario, every single street would have crosswalks and lights at every corner- including residential areas. That would be a colossal waste of money and maintenance. There’s a reason why only busy roads have lights and signals, and that’s why the MVA has to put in the bit about unmarked crossings at corners.
It is scary walking in Hali.
TDF – in my scenario there would be no right to cross at every intersection. Crossing would only be allowed at properly marked and lit crossings. Certain streets in metro are a nightmare with intersections at every 200 feet or less. The section of MVA is outdated and goes back to the age of horse and buggy.
Joeblow: Evidently, you and I have differing opinions on what is considered an intersection. I am talking about any street corner, in every part of the city. You seem to be only talking about main areas with high traffic. There is no way a person could be expected to not cross a street while in a residential area, which is what you are proposing if there is no marked crosswalk. I am saying that it would be unreasonable to expect painted markings to exist in those areas of such low traffic. For an example, I have to cross four streets to get to my bus stop. Only one of those streets has a marked crosswalk, as it is in a commercial area, with higher traffic. The other three streets are residential with hardly any traffic. But, in your scenario, I should not be crossing those streets because there is no marked crossings. Makes no sense.
TDF – I am talking about all roads.
Under my proposal you would have the right of way only at a marked and lit crossing, the MVA gives you the right of way at every intersection. Most crossings are very poorly lit and the overhead lighting is useless, especially on a rainy evening when it is dark and pedestrians have dark clothing.
HRM drivers, a lot of them, ignore crossings. I’ve had several near misses crossing Dunbrack, even with flashing lights and the bells and whistles going, and the drivers oblivious to everything except their cell phones and their texting.
I think that the first thing that needs to happen is that drivers and pedestrians need to pay attention to what they are doing.
You see so many people distracted trying to do things they shouldn’t be doing while driving and walking, put down the phone or tablet and take off the headphones, get where you’re going that text or email isn’t going anywhere and slow down add a few seconds to your walk or drive rushing across the street or trying to beat a light to save a few extra seconds isn’t worth years of pain and grief.
Simple common sense will go a long way in keeping people safe.
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