The recent letter about a near miss of a pedestrian at the East Saanich/Mt. Newton intersection generated a conversation among those in the area of the intersection. Each person had several examples of near misses at the intersection.
In the last month in relation to various near misses at the intersection there have been numerous phone calls to the police, direct reports to the police about the near misses and who knows how many other communications to the police on the matter. The police presence at the intersection is conspicuous in its absence.
Are the police waiting for a death at the intersection before they take action?
The police have made it clear to me that if I can cross the intersection without getting seriously injured then it was a safe crossing for a pedestrian. There are a number of physically disabled people that regularly cross at the intersection, many can not flee drivers with their cars fast enough to evade a collision — it has only been their good luck they have not been hit.
A recent letter writer to your paper suggested a redesign at the intersection. Despite what the municipal engineering staff say a roundabout can be built at the intersection (I have designed and built intersections, a bus friendly or 33 meter diameter roundabout will fit). Vehicle drivers at the intersection do not like to stop; a roundabout would fit most people’s driving style.
If a roundabout is too confusing to build then, a simple, low-cost solution in keeping with how many drive.
Take five minutes or so with a chain saw and remove the stop signs. The current stop signs are a waste as many do not stop and the police can not be bothered to enforce basic traffic regulations in Saanichton.
Norm Ryder
Central Saanich
