Following a distressing incident in Vancouver where a woman and a child were hit by an SUV while crossing the street, concerns are raised about the safety of the city’s crosswalks. The incident, captured on CCTV video, occurred on West 16th Avenue, with the driver initially hitting the woman and a stroller-bound child before striking the woman again and veering into oncoming traffic. Both victims were hospitalized but are in stable condition.
Residents, including Breanna Vander Helm, have long been vocal about the dangers posed by poorly designed crosswalks like the one at this intersection. Vander Helm highlighted the lack of adequate safety measures such as flashing lights, citing the presence of parked cars that obstruct visibility and drivers who often fail to yield to pedestrians.
Despite numerous complaints to the City of Vancouver by concerned citizens, including parents worried about the safety of those accessing nearby parks, daycares, and schools, little action has been taken to address these safety issues. Vander Helm expressed frustration at the city’s response, noting that despite receiving acknowledgment of complaints, no tangible improvements have been made to enhance crosswalk safety.
This incident has reignited the debate on pedestrian safety in the city and calls for immediate action to prevent further accidents at poorly designed crosswalks.