‘Dangerous crossing’

Dear Editor:

RE: Speed cameras coming soon, signs warn, Oct. 17. 

In that issue of the Advertiser, it stated that the county was implementing automatic speed enforcement through a one-year pilot program in designated school and community safety areas. 

The roundabout in Arthur at Frederick Street and Eliza Street was not mentioned. This is an extremely dangerous crossing for pedestrians and school children. I realize that this spot is not in a school zone, but it is used by a large number of children on their way to and from school as well as community members. 

Both the past and present crossing guards have reported near misses and other disturbing incidents here. What goes on at this crossing is ridiculous. There have been way too many close calls here. A lot of the drivers are amazing, but then there are the others. All crossing guards are very visible. They wear bright vests as well as holding a red “stop” sign.  They are there for the safety of our children and they are proud of their job. However, they have been yelled at, cussed out, as well as ignored. Some drivers just speed up and carry on. They have come close to being run over. Some children have also come close. 

A transport truck driver got into a verbal confrontation with the crossing guard once. This happened in front of a mother with a small child. All three were traumatized by this. This altercation was overheard by a Wellington North employee who also reported it. These situations occur many times a week, not just occasionally.

Please don’t wait until a child or a crossing guard is seriously injured or worse. If you can’t put cameras in this spot, could you at least put a crossing similar to the one that was just installed at Smith and Conestoga Street in Arthur and in Mount Forest. 

I don’t want to open the paper to read about a disaster at this corner. Crossing guards everywhere do an amazing job protecting our children; please help them do their job safely. If you see a crossing guard on duty, please wave to them or if possible, stop briefly and say “thank tou.”

Janice Wilson,
Arthur