It's a crossing that's causing concerns, as calls for safety come from both the public and police.
The intersection of Queen Mary Rd. and Westbury Ave. in Snowdon saw two pedestrians hit by cars last month, including a 70-year-old woman struck down in a hit and run.
That has many worried.
“Petrified! I'm petrified,” said Sherry Stampler, a pedestrian who has impaired vision. “There's always been a problem here and it would be good if they tried to do something about it.”
The borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce said it plans to meet with the STM and the Montreal police to develop solutions to improve the safety of the intersection.
“They're aware that there are some things that can be done in the short term,” said Inspector Andre Durocher of the Montreal police traffic division.
The borough is going to repaint the crossing, said Durocher, adding that signal lights can also be made longer.
The toughest job, however, will be changing habits, he said.
“Almost everyone is doing anything but what they're supposed to be doing,” he said. “People are walking and texting at the same time, people are riding their bikes and texting, or listening to music. Motorists are fixing their radios and texting. When you're on the road, the most important thing to do is watch out for other people and make sure that you’re seen.”
Construction at the nearby Snowdon metro station may be reducing visibility for pedestrians and motorists, but taxi driver Alid Issak, also argues police need to enforce violations for drivers and pedestrians.
“People are crossing the road without looking left and right,” said Issak. “People are not disciplined. You have some people, drivers, who don't respect the laws… who don't obey the laws.”
Police say the intersection is like many others in the city, where a high volume of foot and vehicle traffic can mean high risk for accidents.
The best advice is often common sense: Stay vigilant and avoid being distracted on the road – whether you’re a pedestrian, a cyclist or a driver.
