Latest news with #pedestrianSafety
CBC
17-07-2025
- CBC
Banff entrance sign set to be relocated, but not everyone agrees on when
The iconic Banff sign won't greet visitors at the town's western entrance for much longer, amid concerns around traffic congestion and pedestrian safety. The sign is set to be removed from its current location on Mount Norquay Road in the near future and placed at a site adjacent to the Banff train station. No exact date has been set, but some members of council want the process expedited. A motion put forward during a Monday council meeting called for the "immediate removal and relocation" of the sign "for safety and congestion management." Coun. Hugh Pettigrew's motion indicated the sign "is contributing to significant traffic congestion and unsafe stopping patterns along a critical entry corridor," with the area experiencing "vehicle queuing past the Vermillion Lakes turnoff … even before peak summer visitation levels." Pettigrew acknowledged that there have been no major safety incidents at the sign, but pointed to complaints he had heard from concerned members of the public. "Steps need to be taken, or we are gonna have some risks," he said during the meeting, The motion was backed by two other councillors, Ted Christensen and Chip Olver, but ultimately defeated by the rest of the seven-person council. Mayor Connie DiManno, who voted against the motion, acknowledged increased visitation to Banff during the meeting, pointing to factors like the federal government's new Canada Strong Pass granting free entry into Banff National Park until Sept. 2 and significant population growth in the Calgary area. "There are external factors causing traffic," she said. "It's not the Banff sign." DiManno said that while council agrees the sign should be in a more pedestrian-friendly area, there's already a plan in place to relocate it on an agreed-upon timeline. "It's just taking more time than we all wish that it would, but I think we just need to be patient," she said. The relocation of the sign is being funded by Liricon Capital, which operates the Mount Norquay ski resort. According to the Town of Banff, if the sign were relocated outside the parameters of that agreement, the town would have to pay for it. Pettigrew's motion called for the town to allocate up to $10,000 to fund the sign's immediate removal. He said he picked the $10,000 figure based on the cost of temporarily removing and re-installing the sign for the G7 summit, which cost approximately $8,000, with the federal government covering that. That removal was due to the neighbouring Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre parking lot being used to accommodate a designated protest site during the G7, making removal of the sign necessary to prevent street parking by visitors. Sign has possibly been 'too successful' The sign was installed on Mount Norquay Road in 2017 "as part of an overall refresh of the town's wayfinding system," said Darren Enns, Banff's director of planning and environment. "It was intended to announce arrival into the town, and also give a chance for our visitors to take a quick photo," he told CBC News. "It's safe to say it's been very successful in those objectives, maybe even too successful." The sign's popularity with tourists looking to take photos has led to traffic concerns, Enns said. "Not all of them stopped where they should stop, which is in an off-site parking lot, and so we're looking to address some of that irregular vehicle behaviour that's occurred in association with the sign," he said. He said the town is not aware of any major safety incidents caused by the sign, and relocating it to "a more pedestrian-oriented environment over by the train station" will help keep it that way. "We're looking forward to seeing the sign relocated in the coming weeks, in August or September," Enns said. "The idea is that that sign is going to not just be a sign, it's going to provide a mountain backdrop," said Jasper Johnson, Mount Norquay's marketing and communications manager. "There's going to be fire pits, there's going to be paths that connect the parking lots to the train station, to the sign and to town, and provide a much better thoroughfare into town," he told CBC News. He said the sign's new location near the popular parking lot will allow people to take photos in a more pedestrian-friendly area without causing safety concerns. "We're finding that people just want their photo with that sign and, you know, you can't blame them," he said. "The idea of being able to move people into a safer spot, not take away that photo op … is a win-win for everybody."
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Woodley gets new puffin crossing on Headley Road
A town's new puffin crossing will improve access to facilities, a council has Borough Council said there was previously an uncontrolled crossing on Headley Road in Woodley, Berkshire, which was unsuitable for children, pushchairs or people with mobility new crossing improves access to local shops, the library, The Oakwood Centre and Beechwood Primary School, the authority decision to install the crossing came after residents voiced concerns about the previous one. Puffin crossings are similar to pelican crossings, except they have have a sensor that detects when the pedestrian has finished crossing the road. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CTV News
08-07-2025
- CTV News
‘It could have been a lot worse,' says witness, after pedestrian hit, several vehicles damaged during alleged impaired driving crash in Scarborough
A female pedestrian and five others were taken to the hospital following a crash in Scarborough on July 6. (Kamran/video) It was a chaotic and confusing scene on one street in north Scarbrough on Sunday night after an alleged impaired driver plowed into a female pedestrian then struck several vehicles, some of which were occupied. The incident happened in the Milliken neighbourhood, near Passmore Avenue and Middlefield Road, just after 9 p.m., and involved 10 vehicles – directly or indirectly, police said in a follow-up news release. Investigators say a male suspect was operating a black Acura TLX westbound on Passmore heading towards Middlefield when he struck a woman before crashing into several parked and stationary vehicles, which sustained varying levels of damage. The driver allegedly attempted to run away but was caught by police a short time later at a nearby park. Driver Scarborough alleged impaired crash July 6 A female pedestrian and five others were taken to the hospital following a crash in Scarborough on July 6. (Kamran/video) In total, six people were taken to the hospital, including a 45-year-old female pedestrian. Paramedics told CTV News Toronto that they also assessed seven people at the scene. The patients' injuries are described as minor and non-life-threatening. On Monday, a tire from the Acura could be seen on the ground near where the incident occurred. Debris was also scattered across several metres as police continued their investigation. Tire July 6 crash Scarborough A tire from an Acura operated by an alleged impaired driver is seen on the ground near where the July 6 crash occurred. (Kamran/photo) Several eyewitnesses spoke with CTV News Toronto, sharing details about what they saw and heard. They said that a man driving a black car was seen speeding into the area before hitting a female pedestrian and crashing into a number of vehicles. They described the motorist as being disoriented – with blood on his shirt - before taking off. CTV News Toronto has also obtained video of the incident from a viewer. 'I heard some banging sound,' said one man, who was sitting not far away with friends at the time of the crash. Another man said he estimated that the motorist was driving at 140 km/h in the posted 60 km/h zone. Driver hits parked vehicles Scarborough July 6 A driver has been arrested after allegedly crashing into several vehicles in northwest Scarborough on July 6. (Screengrab from video/Kamran) 'It was just a loud bang that just continued on. The car came on Passmore Avenue and then hit multiple cars along the way. And the debris, you can still see (it) over there,' said Syed Abbas, whose vehicle was damaged during the incident. 'And then (the car) went across … jumped on the curb and hit multiple cars on that direction too. Then he fled on foot.' Syed Abbas, July 6 Scarborough crash witness Syed Abbas' vehicle was damaged during the July 6 incident. Abbas, who said he was shocked by what happened and concerned for the wellbeing of his child walking nearby, was back at the scene on Monday trying to fix his damaged tire. 'It could have been a lot worse,' says witness He says at the time of the incident the area was busy with several Shiite Muslims celebrating Ashoura, a holy day of commemoration that falls on the 10th day of the Islamic month of Muharram. Just hours earlier thousands were in that area and the streets were packed, Abbas said. 'It could have been a lot worse. … If it was just a couple of hours earlier, I couldn't have imagined. There were people walking everywhere over here,' he said. Another member of the nearby mosque who was also in the area for the event said his rear tire and back bumper were damaged. He told CTV News Toronto that he was sitting on the grass with friends when they heard a loud bang. The man said he looked over and saw the motorist swerving in and around his vehicle and other parked vehicles along that stretch of roadway before fleeing his vehicle while other mosque members chased him. Kareem Mohammed Kareem Mohammed, 36, of Markham, is facing several charged in connection with a July 6 collision in Scarborough. (Alexandra Newbould/sketch) The motorist, 36-six-year-old Markham resident Kareem Mohammed, has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operation of a motor vehicle while impaired to any degree by BAC or drug, within 2 hrs. of ceasing to operate a motor vehicle is impaired with BAC equal to or exceeding 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood, and possession of a weapon, and two counts of fail to stop at scene of accident. The charges have not been proven in court. He appeared in bail court this afternoon. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police or Crime Stoppers anonymously. With files from CTV News Toronto's Sean Leathong
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
2 pedestrians killed in separate crashes on Hwy 21
BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) Two crashes in Beaufort County this weekend left two pedestrians dead. Both fatal collisions happened on Highway 21, going southbound towards Beaufort. Officials responded to both incidents in the early morning hours on Sunday. Just after midnight, two vehicles traveling south on Boundary Street near Broad River Boulevard, struck Rhonda Randall, a 35-year-old female from Beaufort in the roadway. The Beaufort County Coroner's office confirmed that Randall died on scene from blunt force injuries sustained from the automobile collision. Beaufort County Council to host Q&A meeting on ICE program Both drivers remained on scene and were reported uninjured. Just miles up the highway, Vick Smalls, a 50-year-old from Beaufort, was riding his bike southbound near Bruce K. Smalls drive. A vehicle traveling the same direction struck him. The Beaufort County Coroner's office confirmed that Smalls died on scene from blunt force injuries sustained from the automobile collision. The driver fled the scene, labeling the incident a hit and run. The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) said it is unclear of what time Smalls was hit. They released the information and images below of what vehicle could have hit Smalls. Dan Byrne with Burton Fire, the responding fire agency on both scenes, said it was dark on arrival for both incidents. He said that it is a dangerous time for folks to be out and about walking or riding on the busy highway. 'Don't walk along the side. Don't try to cross the road, don't ride a bicycle, try to find another way to move if that's what you need to do,' said Byrne. 'People are traveling at a high rate of speed without being able to see what's in front of them. Those aren't roads you need to be walking on or trying to cross or walk in the median. Avoid those areas at night.' Man wanted for sex offender registry violation Byrne said if your only option is to walk or ride a bike, make sure to have reflective gear to avoid a possible collision. 'If you have to ride your bike on these major roads at night, or if you have to cross the roadway, wear bright clothing or carry a flashlight so people will see you,' said Byrne. 'Look left, right, left, right one more time just to make sure before you cross, because that seems to be the biggest issue…major roadways at night.' There was a second hit and run involving two vehicles in Bluffton this weekend as well. SCHP is investigating all three incidents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Yahoo
Maryland wants your input on pedestrian and bike safety plans
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is seeking public input on pedestrian and bicyclist safety. According to a community announcement, the agency is conducting an online survey and hosting virtual meetings to gather feedback for its Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Assessment. The survey is available until midnight on Aug. 7 at It allows participants to use a digital map to share their experiences walking, biking and rolling on identified routes. The feedback will help the agency evaluate safety needs and update its safety plan for non-motorists. Vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, are at a higher risk of being injured or killed in crashes. This assessment aims to address their safety needs, as these groups account for an increasing share of transportation fatalities in Maryland and nationwide. In addition to the survey, the State Highway Administration is hosting five virtual public meetings this summer. These meetings will provide residents an opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on specific geographic areas. All meetings will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. The schedule is as follows: Tuesday, July 8: Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Cecil, Queen Anne's, Kent, Caroline and Talbot counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 56292696#. Tuesday, July 15: Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 577377009#. Wednesday, July 16: Baltimore and Harford counties and Baltimore City. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 800335017#. Tuesday, July 22: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 132987841#. Wednesday, July 23: Howard, Carroll, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett counties. Join at or call +1-667-262-2962, passcode 526650253#. Maryland's first VRU Assessment was completed in November 2023. This year's update aligns with federal requirements and will occur every five years thereafter. The assessment supports the Maryland Department of Transportation's Serious About Safety initiative and the Complete Streets policy, which aims to enhance safety and connectivity for all road users. For more information on major State Highway Administration projects, go to This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at The Herald-Mail is growing its local news: Send your news to us This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Maryland launches survey to improve safety for walkers and bikers
