An open letter to District of North Vancouver mayor, council and staff:
This is long overdue, but I’d like to thank everyone involved in the addition of the flashing signal lights at the crosswalks on Montroyal (at Shirley and Cliffridge). I could not have hoped for a better solution to improve the visibility of these crossings.
There is absolutely no way any driver could miss those lights when they are operating. The duration of the signal is also just right: long enough so kids can cross without running, but not so long that it inconveniences drivers.
I witnessed the effectiveness of these lights just the other night when driving home in the dark. A pedestrian (dressed head to toe in dark clothing) crossed at Shirley. He was not visible at all until I was quite close to him. Had the crosswalk lights not been operating, the consequences could have been disastrous.
As a pedestrian who has used those lights, I appreciate the greater sense of safety I feel when crossing that busy stretch of Montroyal. I also breathe a sigh of relief watching inattentive, sleepy teenagers cross on their way to Handsworth. When they actually remember to press the button, in all my daily observations, there has yet to be a vehicle that hasn’t stopped for them to cross.
I also want to applaud the engineering department for selecting a modern, energy-efficient solution with the solar panels and LED lights. I’ve never come across such a system anywhere else, and I’m impressed that our little stretch of road has received this modern technology.
Chrissy da Roza
North Vancouver
Editor’s note: LED crosswalk lights are also new to Kirkstone Road at Rufus Drive. A crosswalk upgrade on Capilano Road at Paisley is expected this spring.
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