Laval crosswalk ignored by motorists 'like it's not even there,' local family says
A Laval, Que. family says a crosswalk in front of their house is an accident waiting to happen and that they're afraid for their child's safety.
"It's as if it's not even there," said resident Chris Horrell, who lives near the intersection of Saint-Martin Blvd. W and Dutrisac St.
Also at that location – a crosswalk, which he says is frequently ignored by motorists who breeze through it, even as pedestrians are trying to cross. Horrell says close calls happen all the time.
Steps away, there's a bus stop where his son and his friends wait to catch transit to school. Beyond that, there’s a daycare centre.
"None of the cars stop or acknowledge that they're there trying to cross to go to the bus stop," said Laval resident Rola Chamoun.
- READ MORE: 'Pay attention': Family of struck Montreal 10 year old pleads with motorists to drive safely
According to the Highway Safety Code, drivers and cyclists must yield to pedestrians who are either in a crosswalk or have signalled their intention to cross.
While CTV News was filming on Sunday, the two crossed the street only to be narrowly missed by a black SUV driving through the intersection.
"That's not right,” said Horrell. “I'm sorry, but it's not a question of ‘if’ someone is going to get hit here ... it’s a question of ‘when.’"
He says he and Chamoun have asked the city to install a stop sign, or pedestrian-controlled lights, but that their requests have fallen on deaf ears.
Laval Mayor Stephane Boyer's office did not return CTV News' request for comment on Sunday.
The neighbourhood already had a tragedy strike back in February, 2020, when a 69-year-old woman was hit and killed by a snow removal truck while crossing at the light just one block over
Horrell and Chamoun hope that by speaking up, another tragedy can be avoided.
"Safety is an issue here," said Horrell.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.