Photo by John Tonin
SWIFT RESPONSE – A heavy RCMP presence resulted after a pedestrian was struck at about noon Monday on Second Avenue at Lambert Street on downtown Whitehorse.
Another pedestrian hit on Second Avenue
Yet another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Monday on Second Avenue.
Yet another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle Monday on Second Avenue.
Officers from the Whitehorse RCMP and Yukon RCMP Traffic Services were called to the incident at the corner of Lambert Street at approximately noon.
“We understand that the pedestrian received non-life-threatening injuries,” police said Tuesday.
“The investigation is in its early stages and will continue.”
It was the third reported such incident on Second Avenue in five weeks.
On Nov. 21, Merle Gorgichuck, 48, died shortly after he was struck by a vehicle while he was using the crosswalk on Second at Elliott Street.
Friends placed flowers and posters with his photograph at the intersection.
Late on the afternoon of Nov. 29, a young person was struck while crossing the avenue near the A&W restaurant, but survived.
Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar
In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.
Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.
Comments (28)
Up 0 Down 0
the beautiful people on Jan 9, 2020 at 9:31 pm
I grew up in a Canadian city where pedestrians who jaywalked got ticketed. THIS made me ‘THINK’ about crossing a street, the onus on me and me not being a moron in my street crossing choices.
Fast forward to the future - I cross the street when it seems safe to do so; have the cars come to a complete stop? ( when it is wintertime there is often ice which makes it hard to stop quickly) I consider if I am visible to traffic, if I wear all black, like Johnny Cash, that makes it hard for any vehicle to see me.
I don’t love the speeders in this town and its chronic speeding- but it seems like people have a death wish just running out into traffic, crossing unsafely, not considering if anyone can slow down in time or see them.
Whitehorse seems like the Wild (swearword ) West when it comes to drivers and pedestrians - everyone making their own rules and it will continue until a constant police or bylaw presence becomes part of the solution, handing out speeding tickets and perhaps jaywalking tickets, for a significant period of time to break these bad habits that seem to dominate in Whitehorse.
The amount of money that could be collected from tickets could pay for some much needed traffic cameras or fund a monarchy.
Up 8 Down 0
Stacey on Jan 6, 2020 at 1:50 pm
I’ve seen a young lady get stuck in the middle of the road standing in a crosswalk while vehicles from both directions continued driving !!! This was also on 2nd avenue!!!
Up 1 Down 0
Jim on Jan 4, 2020 at 8:48 pm
@Yukoner32, my apologies, I misread your comment.
Up 16 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Jan 4, 2020 at 11:12 am
In search of better understanding about this I read the Motor Vehicle Act and Regulations for a refresher. There is an entire section on Pedestrians. While drivers are obliged to operate under the terms of the Act & regs, I doubt there are any pedestrians who are aware these laws apply to them as well. Give it a read: http://www.gov.yk.ca/legislation/acts/move_c.pdf
Up 6 Down 0
Yukoner32 on Jan 4, 2020 at 12:43 am
@Jim Re-read my comment. I was saying we need less.
Up 3 Down 2
martin on Jan 3, 2020 at 11:19 pm
@ Gringo; your suggested "solution" would create a racing track; similar to the ovals in Stock Car Racing.
Up 16 Down 2
jim on Jan 3, 2020 at 4:00 pm
@Yukoner32, More crosswalks? I am not sure at which cross street you would put them that doesn't already have one on both sides of the road. I may be missing something by your comment, but maybe you could enlighten all of us which streets you think are left out. And also how more crosswalks without traffic lights will change anything. Maybe less crosswalks and a couple more lights to assist pedestrians would be better. Our blocks are so short, if we had a light every 2 blocks that would impact both parties very little. We almost have 1 every 2 blocks now. Maybe pedestrians won't be able to run across the streets like gophers on the highway at every cross street, and vehicles may have to stop a couple more times. Safer for all, don't you think? Other cities do this. Are we that much different? Or do we just refuse to change.
Up 25 Down 1
David Anderson on Jan 3, 2020 at 3:30 pm
It's difficult to drive south-bound down Second Avenue in the middle of the day when the sun is glaring off your windshield. I couldn't safely go faster than 30km/hour, as I couldn't see very far ahead of me. It's a good thing I was alert and slowed down, as a guy stepped out on the crosswalk right ahead of me. I certainly would have hit him if I was going 50km/hour.
All that to say... people need to slow down, especially when visibility is poor (due to snow-fall, blinding light, a big truck in a parallel lane, ice on windshield, etc...).
Also, pedestrians shouldn't assume that a car will slow down. When I cross a street, I wait until a car has very clearly slowed down before I set my foot on the road.
Up 17 Down 6
Simon on Jan 3, 2020 at 2:17 pm
It would be interesting to learn how many of these recent incidents are the cause of distracted driving (playing with your phone, texting someone or mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, etc) or distracted, I guess "walking". I see far too many people in vehicles on their phones. It's terrifying.
Up 20 Down 4
Apex parasite on Jan 3, 2020 at 7:00 am
One thing that occurs also in regard to people being idiots and allowing themselves to be struck by, admittedly, other idiots.
In the photo for this article there are no less than six emergency vehicles present at the scene and likely there are more out of view.....15 to 20 emergency responders is probably a good estimate. Each of these responders is being paid to be there. They are there because of choices made by the now focal parties. These choices cost money. Pure and simple the inattention or the lack of responsible behaviors costs all of us money.Then we meet and strategize how this situation of the ignorant striking the inattentive might be addressed in a way that prevents it happening again. More money. Then we make the changes that we deem necessary to prevent more of the same. More money.
Plainly the actions of the inattentive and those who simply don't care cost the rest of us real money.
Up 10 Down 8
Gringo on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:47 pm
As I’ve mentioned before for a myriad of reasons make Second one way out of Riverdale and Fourth one way down from two mile hill. Traffics a mess, four lanes three lanes bike lanes it’s a mess. It sets up perfectly and would assist in pedestrian safety and traffic flow.
Up 10 Down 10
Miles Epanhauser on Jan 2, 2020 at 5:21 pm
I see this as an issue of respect.
If drivers respect pedestrians they will anticipate when they may cross the street whether the pedestrians are acting in a safe manner or not.
If people respect themselves they will ensure cars are reacting to their crossing and hold up if its unsafe.
Enforcement is also a concern and in many situations 50 km per hour may be too fast to ensure public safety.
Up 28 Down 13
Yukoner32 on Jan 2, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Crazy idea here, but how about we not have TWO crosswalks for every block on 2nd Ave. People might take them more seriously and know where to watch if they weren't literally everywhere.
Up 47 Down 4
Apex Parasite on Jan 2, 2020 at 11:42 am
I feel like I will never be struck by a car if I am always expecting that I myself am responsible for my safety. If I am crossing I am assuming that traffic in any of the lanes may not stop. Keep your head up to avoid passive aggressive potential suicide.
Up 28 Down 10
Groucho d'North on Jan 2, 2020 at 10:43 am
I see this as an enforcement problem. During my weekly visits to Whitehorse I observe many people violating Motor Vehicle laws as I walk around town. People yapping on their cell phones while driving, speeding, failing to stop or yield and many other failures.
I believe that if the RCMP really wanted to deal with these issues they would get out of their cars and foot patrol the downtown core then they too would witness these violations and deal with them.
Given the authority, I know I could clog the court rooms with Yukoners violating vehicular laws in probably just one day. Two Mounties on foot and a car nearby to radio directions to could go a long way to improving safety on our roads, and it would probably do a lot to generate revenue from fines too.
Up 37 Down 4
YukonMax on Jan 2, 2020 at 8:50 am
I am all for respecting pedestrians. What I find offensive is the ones (many of them) just go ahead without caring about incomings, not looking and dragging their feet forever to get to the other side. You all know who they are and where they hang out. So the problem spot isn't necessarily and/or always the drivers. Whenever in Whitehorse for vehicle repair and they insist that I will not get it back until the end of day, I walk the whole day long and can't buy anything. I am on foot. When I cross the street, I wait to make sure the traffic will stop for me on both sides and I gesture a "thanks" to the drivers. Easy! Well for me, at least.
Up 34 Down 1
Lunde Metals on Jan 2, 2020 at 7:20 am
One thing that pedestrians should be aware of is that a lot of times although they can see the vehicle coming from the north the south-bound vehicle cannot due to the sun at it's apex which places it directly in the drivers eyes at this time of year.
Make sure you have sun glasses, lower your sun visor, and if I can I sneak down 1st or 6th during these bright out conditions. Pedestrians do not assume you've been seen.
Up 37 Down 1
Jim on Jan 1, 2020 at 6:37 pm
I’m not sure how we think we have a special problem here with no way to solve it other than pedestrians pointing their fingers at drivers and vice versa. Other cities go through the same growing pains as Whitehorse. Pick any other normal city and see how they solve traffic and pedestrian issues. Have you ever crossed a 4 lane commercial street in Vancouver or Edmonton? Did you happen to notice there are street lights at major intersections with walk lights? Other secondary intersections don’t allow pedestrian crossing with no lights. Of course pedestrians have the right of way. But do you really think you should just walk out onto a 4 lane street without being watchful just because you have the right of way? We are trying to mix vehicles and pedestrians on the same surface. We all have to be cautious. But other cities seem to manage, even at higher speeds. And for all you arm chair radar guns, maybe leave that up to the real thing. Nobody has been charged with speeding in any of the incidents as far as reported. And yes, we do have crappy drivers and inattentive pedestrians.
Up 45 Down 2
Mr M on Jan 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm
I have also had pedestrians walk right out in front of me and I do under the speed limit when driving downtown just because of this. People talking on cell phones or they have their earbuds in. I also see people racing down 2nd and 4th ave. Both drivers and pedestrians have to be aware of the dangers. There is a saying that I heard when I was a kid and it goes like this " Look both ways before you cross the street use your eyes use your ears and then you use your feet ". People need to be accountable for their own actions sometimes and quit blaming someone else.
Up 73 Down 12
Matthew on Jan 1, 2020 at 9:43 am
Great... somehow I feel drivers will be getting stung for this.. many, many times I've driven DT and pedestrians just walk... just walk... no looking, not caring, easy way to make a few bucks..
Up 34 Down 15
James on Jan 1, 2020 at 9:07 am
It cannot be said at all about pedestrians using cellphones crossing the streets. Drivers just aren't slowing down for crosswalks, it appears they have no intention of slowing down they are not driving defensively. I was almost run down crossing to the royal bank when a truck came around the corner full speed through the cross walk.You can be in the middle of a crosswalk they fly by in front of you through the crosswalk. Or you can be about to cross at a flashing light and they will fly through it in front of you so you cannot step off the sidewalk. This is not a cellphone problem overall, more like issues with defensive driving.
Up 31 Down 20
Josey Wales on Dec 31, 2019 at 11:15 pm
When a pedestrian uses a marked crosswalk...all traffic ceases till said pedestrian is ACROSS the street.
Not how folks do it here, slow down to near stop...once person crosses their vehicle at marked crossing?
Yup...accelerate, back to their busy tight schedule.
Vehicles start moving yet buddy is near halfway.
This is not a giant mega city, wee town actually rife with complete s**t drivers.
Any law is useless without enforcement.
Everything on the streets can be handled with everything currently on the books. Could it be, that our Mounties are so so busy with drunks and all the other epic dysfunction that runs our economy...that they gave up on traffic?
Correction, not gave up...rather zero staff?
others are busy babysitting adults.
...this town, so done it is.
Just like anyplace in engineered Canada, a diverse corral of rude, angry, narcissistic subjects. Not just traffic, the whole place is a freaking mess.
Oh yeah...happy new year folks.
Love to spew some glee and optimism, but I sense another year just as messed up, just as polarizing, over the top pandering, more eco hysteria, a few more letters on the alphabet gang tag I am certain.
Is there a pool going to see how long into the new year another gets mowed down doing elementary task...of crossing the road.
Do folks know we drive in metric?
I see heaps of 50 mph in a 50 kph, 70 mph in a 70 kph zone?
I see epic phone use whilst driving.
Stop signs with white trim are apparently optional, slow mostly is good enough.
I do not see however very often, Red and blue flashing lights.
I do however see those red and blue lights at that mega party shack on Alexander almost every time.
Do coppers not see the many dark plastic covers many idiots hide their plates with? Cannot report a plate you cannot see I suppose.
Folks will continue to get maimed and killed living here, AND trying to cross the street too even...ffs.
Up 46 Down 16
Yukonborn on Dec 31, 2019 at 5:05 pm
I don't know why everyone needs to do feasibility studies to find out what's going on. We have people who have moved here and love the fact they can do 80km ph down any street without being stopped because they just don't realize we here in the Yukon cross streets with the assumption traffic will stop for them because that is what we are used to. Not non caring reckless self centered drivers in a hurry to get where they're going with no consideration for people. It's not a road design problem and we all know it. It's a irresponsible driver thing. It's to bad we don't have a justice system to do anything about it. Zero accountability that's our government's problem solving skills.
Up 76 Down 5
Guncache on Dec 31, 2019 at 4:40 pm
Here is a novel solution, look both ways before and during crossing. Keep your mind on what you're doing.
Up 19 Down 38
Judy McMurphy on Dec 31, 2019 at 4:37 pm
As a non driver, I usually take the Whitehorse Transit to try and not add to the already overwhelmed downtown streets of motor vehicles. I have also been a near victim on numerous occasions while I was on a designated crosswalk with pedestrian signal lights and the whole nine yards. My daughter and I have decided that perhaps we need to start wearing the appropriate full body safety gear including helmets, neck guards, elbow pads, shin pads but decided that would only make us even more of a target. I have since avoided going downtown by myself as I have heard that it can be open season on seniors as they cannot run as fast as regular people. I am quite discouraged, disillusioned and frankly quite alarmed that I can no longer feel safe anywhere on Second Avenue. I am also going to make a suggestion that perhaps the City should consider renaming Second Avenue to Slaughter Avenue.
Up 39 Down 14
Darrell Drugstore's smartest neighbour on Dec 31, 2019 at 3:50 pm
When is someone in authority going to DO SOMETHING ?
Ticketing EVERY red light runner, cross walk crasher, cell phone yacker and jaywalker is the obvious place to start
Up 13 Down 41
Politico on Dec 31, 2019 at 3:50 pm
The worst part is the continued silence from the RCMP. It's important to know what happen so something can get done to solve this slaughter. But no, the police release data on accident causes as fast as they solve murders.
Up 38 Down 10
Anie on Dec 31, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Pedestrian activated street lights seems like a solution. Yes, it would delay traffic along Second, but only when activated. This seems to work elsewhere. Or do we need to study it for a few more years?