Photo by Whitehorse Star
A VICTIM REMEMBERED – The accidents that have prompted city council to take action on the dangers of Second Avenue include the November 2019 death of Merle Gorgichuk (above). He was fatally struck while using the Elliott Street crosswalk.
City council has approved $15,000 for an engineering study to look at reducing the speed limit in the downtown area from 50 to 40 km/h.
City council has approved $15,000 for an engineering study to look at reducing the speed limit in the downtown area from 50 to 40 km/h.
Council approved the budget amendment at its meeting Monday.
The proposal to reduce the speed limit downtown arose out of the Second Avenue Corridor Study into how traffic flow and safety could be improved. The corridor study was completed last year.
Lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h was one option laid out in the study, as was reconfiguring the four lanes to three lanes with a turning lane just like Fourth Avenue.
“In order to obtain a better understanding of the effectiveness and impacts of such a change, administration is proposing that an engineering study be completed before bringing the matter forward for further consideration,” says the administrative report presented to council on Monday.
“The proposed study would also provide an indication of the estimated costs to implement a speed reduction.”
Council has asked that the study also look at enforcement of the speed limit in the downtown area.
The corridor study pointed out pedestrians struck by vehicles travelling 40 km/h are much more likely to survive than if they are struck at 50 km/h.
Administration recommended previously that if the speed limit on Second Avenue was changed, it should be altered throughout the downtown area for reasons of consistency.
Second Avenue is among the city’s busiest roadways.
Between 2012 and 2017, seven pedestrians were struck by vehicles, and there were three incidents involving cyclists, according to the corridor study.
A man was killed in November 2019 after he was struck in the Elliott Street crosswalk.
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Comments (28)
Up 10 Down 1
I agree with Steven on May 6, 2020 at 2:32 am
I agree with Steven. If you're on a bicycle, ride in less trafficked areas. In winter, this is especially important. Don't try to ride because it's your right--I ride a lot and I ride to survive, so chose to not be in traffic if possible to take a slower road or path. Yes, slow down people! But enforce to make it happen. Finally, like Steven says, be a pro-active pedestrian crosser. Make eye contact-ensure that you won't be hit before you cross.
Up 3 Down 5
2nd Avenue Observer on May 5, 2020 at 4:11 pm
We don't need a "Study" for the administrators and politicians to hide behind... we need administrators and politicians with fortitude to lower the speed limit!! But even lowering the speed limit won't do any good if those same people don't enforce it!!
Oh ya, I forgot, that would cost money that is needed for another study....
I see second avenue from my office and I see speeders and lane changers ( and even pedestrians) doing illegal stuff every day.... what I don't see is police or bylaw handing out tickets. Is it another turf war between the RCMP and the City?
Up 9 Down 3
Charlie's Aunt on May 5, 2020 at 1:32 pm
@Always; You nailed it. A major cause of accidents is those in center lanes who haven't figured out that vehicles in other lanes have stopped for a reason. For those too dense to understand that, with tongue in cheek, might I suggest pedestrian activated old railway crossing drop arms? Maybe a few clunks & dents on the car will clue them in.
Up 7 Down 1
Always Questions on May 4, 2020 at 6:11 pm
When 'they' added the lane on 2nd Ave, I learned very quickly that if someone was stopped in the other lane, you needed to stop too, signals be damned! especially when you could not see around them. Then I recall a big pedestrian campaign, maybe it was "point your way"? Now that was a good time, don't know any stats and don't care enough to look it up. It still happens so do watch for it.
We don't know, maybe the consultants will just come up with an up enforcement recommendation, wouldn't that be something? ... lol.
Up 11 Down 8
One One-Lesser-Voice on May 4, 2020 at 6:01 pm
THERE is a safety issue on second and fourth.
BUT WAIT it's caused by SPEEDING and AGGRESSIVE drivers.
NO NEED to spend 15 thousand - just deal with the drivers.
Up 13 Down 1
Just a'Sayin' on May 4, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Obi,
You ask how drivers are to know when a pedestrian is going to appear in front of them, when they are completely blocked by the bus. You can't know, unfortunately. As such, you would do well to assume somebody is about to step out on the road and proceed slowly and cautiously. I've never had to come to a full and complete stop for a bus in this scenario, but I can understand why it's annoying. Regardless, I consider it to be a first world problem.
Up 23 Down 1
Anie on May 4, 2020 at 3:22 pm
A while ago, towns and cities outside discovered this wonderful invention - advanced green turn signals. Game changer. And pedestrian activated lights - they stay green for heavy traffic street, but go to yellow, then red, when activated by a pedestrian. Brilliant. But let's not confuse Whitehorse engineering dept with any new fangled nonsense. Let's study reducing the speed limit.
Up 20 Down 2
Obi on May 3, 2020 at 6:17 pm
The bus stops on second avenue that are located right in front of a cross walk are a dangerous joke! Why, Why, Why? Passengers get off the bus, then walk in front of the bus and straight into traffic that is doing the speed limit. How the hell are drivers to know when a pedestrian is going to appear in front of them, when they are completely blocked by the bus?
Is our City suggesting that every vehicle must come to a complete stop when they approach a parked bus, just in case a pedestrian who knows he has the right away on a cross walk?
Instead of a bus stop being across the street from the Klondike Rib and Salmon restaurant, perhaps it should be in front of City Hall, which has no crosswalk in front of its premises.
Oh, yea I forgot, common sense and governments...
Up 18 Down 4
Juniper Jackson on May 2, 2020 at 1:14 pm
$15,000. What is this study comprised of? counting cars? how fast they are going? at what time?
I think every driver has almost hit someone. Or has hit someone. Just before lockdown, on 2nd Ave. a man walked right into the street in front of me, looking down at his cell phone. IF I had hit him, even as slow as I was going, the law would have said..another senior hits a pedestrian. It wouldn't say..bonehead walks into street, hit by cautious driver. Bikers suddenly swerve into traffic.. some 18 year old running through the stop signs on the side streets. RCMP! ran a stop light at the old 4 way! No lights, also no one on the other side of the street..I see people driving one handed with a phone.. I see people at a stop light trying to do something on the floor.. I mention the 18 year old because I followed her to Walmarts and picked a fight about it.
Lowering the speed limit won't make any change. Ticketing people. Make the punishment pretty harsh. TICKET those pedestrian's. Make a law, if you are walking on the street. NO cell phones when moving on the street. Cell phones, 15 feet away from corners or crossings. Now THAT might save a few lives.
Up 19 Down 0
Charlie's Aunt on May 2, 2020 at 12:39 pm
Dumb, dumb & dumber - can COW get any worse in their decision making? 2nd & Elliott is one of the most hazardous places for pedestrians but half the vehicles have either had a red light at Main or approaching one. Highly unlikely they would be speeding when approaching Elliott St unless they were red light runners or panic brake hitters. Both drivers and pedestrians need to pay more attention, but ban pedestrians crossings at that location; ban left turns at some intersections; ban street parking so close to intersections to give more visibility; and lastly ban brain dead in City Admin and Council.
Up 26 Down 2
Yukoner123 on May 2, 2020 at 8:37 am
$15k to do the work that should already be done in house? This council sure likes to burn money. But when it's not yours, who cares?
I'm sure if City officials spent half a day and called around to their counterparts in other municipalities they would have an answer. How about applying some common sense to the situation? No left turns at Main St from 2-6 PM. Bike traffic redirected to riverfront trail or 4th Ave. Crosswalks not at every block. Have some intermittent enforcement by RCMP to keep the speed down on 2nd & 4th.
Changing the speed limit, which already isn't enforced, will not make the road safer.
Up 21 Down 0
Jim on May 1, 2020 at 9:12 pm
Take that $15,000 and send which ever idiots are studying this and send them to Vancouver, Victoria, Edmonton or Calgary. They can pick. Let them see how they deal with pedestrians and traffic on a 4 lane major artery. One thing they don’t have is a crosswalk that is not controlled by traffic lights and walk signals. Problem solved. Speeders, sure ticket them. But let’s keep in mind, if I recall correctly most of these collisions happened during congested hours. Was anybody charged in either of the last 2 accidents? If not, why not?
Up 12 Down 3
One One-Lesser-Voice on May 1, 2020 at 6:04 pm
The 2 lane Millennium trail issue, and Black Street stairs concerns makes me think there should be territorial oversight of the City of Whitehorse covid-19 response.
Parks Canada needs to rethink the closure of the SS Klondike parking lot.
Up 17 Down 3
Seal Team Bravo on May 1, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Conduct a study on how many pedestrians have walked into oncoming traffic. All persons must carry Pedestrian Insurance for Specially Stupid Yukoners (PISSY) or Pedestrian Insurance for Specially Stupid - Adventure Nut Tourism (PISSANT) for the tourists. The insurance premiums can cover the deductibles and increased insurance costs for insured motorists. Pedestrians would then become more aware and be held accountable for their actions.
No more presumption.
Up 13 Down 2
Just Sayin' on May 1, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Will the speed limit be reduced to 30 km/hour in a few years when the next person is hit? Will it be reduced to 20 km/hour a few years after that?
By 2030 we're all going to be walking...
Up 22 Down 4
Groucho d'North on May 1, 2020 at 2:18 pm
I wonder what City Council would ask for if they had to pay for this study out of their own pockets?
Up 24 Down 5
Groucho d'North on May 1, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Popular opinion says apply more & probably better enforcement. Perhaps Larry can whisper in his bosses ear that more RCMP members are needed in the Yukon.
Up 24 Down 2
North_of_60 on May 1, 2020 at 1:15 pm
The money wasted on yet another study could have been used instead to solve the traffic congestion problem by installing left turn arrows at 2nd & Main like at 4th & Main. People have been making that suggestion for decades and all we get are more studies to 'kick the can down the road' for the next Mayor & Council to deal with.
Up 25 Down 0
absurd is right on May 1, 2020 at 12:29 pm
If you're going to really lower the speed limit to save lives, you would look at lowering it to 30 like in school zones. But nobody wants that! You need enforcement to slow it down and there is none. Cross walks with noise activation and strobing lights so motorists see the cross walk is activated. Yes, there's money involved in that but it's safer in those high collision areas. Also make a bylaw that anytime somebody is stopped for a pedestrian, all traffic must stop. People are driving down two lanes and common sense says if one of the drivers is stopped (to let a pedestrian cross) and the other driver can't see around (blind spot) they should stop too. They should be ticketed and fined for not stopping--that's what crosswalks are for, so you know traffic will stop! Stop trying to re-invent the wheel and enforce cross walk crossings and procedures already in place, that go unenforced.
Up 30 Down 2
Steven on May 1, 2020 at 7:50 am
Step 1: Don't allow cyclists on 2nd Ave. There is no space designated for a bike lane (like on 4th), and the road isn't wide enough. I have never understood why they wouldn't prefer to use 1st Ave or the bike trail, which generally have no vehicles on them. The only reason I can see is that cyclists are deliberately going on 2nd Ave because "they have a right to", rather than looking out for their own safety.
Step 2: Pedestrians should pay attention to the traffic when crossing the street. Don't walk out onto the road if traffic hasn't stopped period. Again, your "rights" are not worth your safety.
Step 3: Cars need to slow the f down. The Mayor isn't wrong when he says people are going upwards of 90. I sometimes set my cruise control on 50 and watch cars go by me like I'm standing still. If I knew where to send my dash-cam footage I would. (Maybe the RCMP should open up a gmail account so people could submit videos?)
Up 19 Down 8
Max Mack on Apr 30, 2020 at 9:46 pm
I agree with Rob that the study is a waste of money. But I don't agree with Rob that speed limits should be reduced.
City bureaucrats, politicans and media talking heads have agreed among themselves that 50 km/h is too fast. Quite the echo chamber going on there.
Yet, these same talking heads admit that people will still die at 40 km/hr.
The only way to guarantee that people will never die from a motor vehicle collision is to outright ban motor vehicles. Ridiculous proposition, but the loonies will continue to push for exactly that .
And news flash . . . cyclists will also kill pedestrians.
Up 23 Down 2
E on Apr 30, 2020 at 6:44 pm
Traffic already flows so slowly on second. Why do you think people weave in and out??? No one wants to get caught at Main Street. Accidents are always working 3-4 blocks of main because of this. Just put turning lights at main. Problem solved. Where can I send my $15k bill?
Up 25 Down 5
Guncache on Apr 30, 2020 at 6:22 pm
Hire me. My study will only be $100. That covers gas and lunch. Here is a startling revelation. Pedestrians that get hit do not make driver eye contact, they are on their cell phone or looking for loose change on the ground. A pedestrian can get killed or seriously injured by a vehicle at 50 kmh or 40 kmh.
Up 12 Down 13
Matthew on Apr 30, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Again.. in 5 years 7 pedestrians hit. Big deal, that's a damn good ratio to me.. more money than brains as per..
Up 25 Down 1
Bingo on Apr 30, 2020 at 4:47 pm
This council spends money like drunken soldiers. I will charge $7500 and paint a 4 over the 5!
Up 31 Down 0
Just add enforcement on Apr 30, 2020 at 4:23 pm
That money would be better spent by increasing enforcement of speed limits, drivers (and pedestrians) on cell phones and pedestrians jay-walking. If there was actually enforcement, we'd see a lot less accidents and near misses.
Up 36 Down 0
Ginger Johnson on Apr 30, 2020 at 3:45 pm
YEESH - It doesn't matter what the speed limit is when IT IS NEVER ENFORCED.
Up 49 Down 8
Rob on Apr 30, 2020 at 2:40 pm
$15,000! That’s absurd. Just change the speed limit and use that money for new sign.