Photo by Morris Prokop
PEDESTRIAN HIT BY VEHICLE – Emergency response vehicles are seen last Friday afternoon after a pedestrian was struck at the intersection of Strickland Street and Second Avenue.
Woman struck by vehicle on Second Avenue
A pedestrian was injured after being struck by a vehicle late last Friday afternoon in downtown Whitehorse.
A pedestrian was injured after being struck by a vehicle late last Friday afternoon in downtown Whitehorse.
Emergency responders were called to the intersection of Second Avenue and Strickland Street, which has crosswalks, at about 4:10 p.m.
“One person was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” the RCMP said Monday.
“The investigation into the cause of the collision is continuing. The driver of the vehicle involved remained on scene. Impairment by drug or alcohol are not believed to be factors in this collision.”
The woman who was struck was able to stand up and make her way to the sidewalk with the help of passersby.
The scene was closed until approximately 6 p.m. for the investigation. Traffic was detoured to Front Street and Third and Fourth avenues.
“The detour allowed the RCMP collision reconstructionist to collect the evidence they needed to help understand what caused this collision,” said Whitehorse RCMP Operations NCO Sgt. Jolene Nason. “Understanding causes can help with prevention in the future.”
As a general reminder, a police news release said, drivers should always scan right and left when approaching pedestrians crosswalks before continuing through.
They should also be cautious of pedestrians who may be distracted or unaware of their surroundings (texting, on the phone, headphones in, umbrella or a hood blocking their vision).
“Speed limits are also set at speeds that are meant to keep drivers, pedestrians, and other road users safe,” the release said.
“The speed limit in most of downtown Whitehorse is 40 kilometres per hour,” Nason noted.
“When the City of Whitehorse updated these speed limits in August 2021, their goal was to improve general road safety in the downtown core for all.”
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Comments (40)
Up 0 Down 0
drum on Apr 4, 2022 at 5:16 pm
I am fed up with drunks staggering out of the Shelter (where they are served three meals a day at taxpayers expense) and served no matter the condition they are in and we the drivers going along 4th Avenue have to watch out for them. Today two at lunch time staggered out in front of me at 4th and Alexander, they did not look left or right and then decided to have a conversation in the middle of the road.
Up 19 Down 0
Jim on Apr 4, 2022 at 10:06 am
@Politico, you question as to why it should be the responsibility of the pedestrian to make sure it’s safe to cross. It’s simple really, you might be in the right, but you also might die. A cross walk painted on the road is not a suit of armour. Sure, the driver may be ticketed or fined, maybe even a little jail time. But you will be dead. It’s called self preservation.
Until the City installs traffic/pedestrian controls at crossings instead of building themselves fancy new offices it will always be dangerous crossing a 4 lane major artery. All they have done is try to raise the survival rate for pedestrians by lowering the speed limit. The city has a supposed traffic expert on staff, so maybe we should point the finger at them.
Up 15 Down 1
Groucho d'North on Apr 4, 2022 at 8:57 am
Graveyards are well stocked with people who had the 'right of way'
Up 22 Down 0
Dave on Apr 2, 2022 at 4:42 pm
Politico, maybe it’s because the first thing our mommies taught us as children was to look twice before crossing the street. Just because you are an adult doesn’t change anything.
Up 23 Down 0
andy odel on Apr 2, 2022 at 4:40 pm
No doubt there are a lot of drivers in Whse who drive way too fast and don't pay proper attention to the road (street). However it is unbelievable how many pedestrians feel they have absolute priority when crossing streets. They do have the right of way at crosswalks and other intersections but it's amazing how many people just step out into the street without being sure that drivers have had the time to see them and then react. Also the number of idiots who don't even look up from their phones and don't look in either direction before stepping into the roadway. It takes both drivers and pedestrians to ensure everyone's safety.
Up 12 Down 6
Bad Liberal! on Apr 2, 2022 at 1:56 pm
At - Politico on Apr 2, 2022 at 10:03 am;
Drivers have greater responsibilities than do pedestrians. Most rational people however understand that pedestrians do unsafe things such as fail to pay attention, make assumptions etc. They should be held accountable too!
Liberalism should not be allowed to continue to support poor decision-making as an economic strategy. I get it, it’s their mission statement, but don’t try and convince us that we should govern human relationships in this way too, FFS!
For example:
A multi-incident blackface, woman groping, ethically devoid, individual could become your PM if you do this.
Someone who brutally kills another and sticks them with arrows will only get a day time served.
You will have leadership that constantly contradict themselves because - Politics, it’s political which is the lipstick on the pig - It is self- serving delusion.
Up 6 Down 24
Politico on Apr 2, 2022 at 10:03 am
Amazing how many car drivers think it's the responsibility of the pedestrian to make sure it's safe to cross the street, too bad the drivers don't have the same responsibility!
Up 12 Down 8
SlowDown on Apr 1, 2022 at 9:58 pm
Where is everyone going?
Honestly, I don’t get it… why is it sooo important that everyone drives so fast?
Are you trying to get home….Hamilton Blvd?
It’s a race track downtown and why? it’s not Alberta nor BC. Tell me why everyone is such a rush?
Here’s the other point, does anyone know how to drive defensively? You know look behind, forward and aft?
It ceases to amaze me that everyone is in a rush.
Up 30 Down 0
Driver on Apr 1, 2022 at 2:21 pm
The 10km/hr reduction has absolutely no effect in real life, just on paper for someone to say, 'we did something'. It was a knee-jerk reaction to appease the public. The right answer is pedestrian activated flashing lights at crosswalks where it's difficult to see someone due to parked vehicles, sunlight in drivers' eyes and other distractions on the road. Better yet, light up all of them in high traffic areas. This city outgrew its narrow roadways long ago and it's only getting worse.
Up 21 Down 3
Cars on Apr 1, 2022 at 1:17 pm
Umm, what are we going to do when electric cars are everywhere at least the government hopes they are. You could have the best hearing, but you are unlikely to hear an electric car.
Up 11 Down 2
JustSayin' on Apr 1, 2022 at 1:15 pm
To elaborate on my wildlife comment:
1. If you suspect wildlife in the area slow down.
2. Always pay attention as wildlife can enter the roadway at anytime.
3. Follow speed limits and drive to road conditions. If it is slippery, slow down as braking time is increased.
5. Always scan both sides of the road when crossing an area where wildlife might cross,
6. Assume wildlife do not understand vehicles can harm them.
Up 37 Down 1
Natalie on Apr 1, 2022 at 10:14 am
Several years back I watched a pedestrian staring down at his phone not look up or even breaking pace before stepping off the curb to cross 2nd Avenue directly into the path of an oncoming vehicle. I am convinced that this young man was not even aware he was stepping out into the street before he looked up at the large vehicle only a few meters away from him and instantaneously sprang backwards falling flat on his back on the sidewalk as the vehicle went past where he had been a split second beforehand. Nothing on your phone is worth your life people, and that goes for both pedestrians and drivers.
Up 11 Down 31
Chuck Farley on Apr 1, 2022 at 9:47 am
Nathan Living " Why do so many people blame the pedestrian". it's just the wing nuts on here, general population does not hold these views; this site reminds me of Fox news.
Up 6 Down 3
Dave on Apr 1, 2022 at 4:12 am
Used to be that mothers with prams would push the pram into traffic between parked trucks in the middle of the block. Next to no visibility for oncoming drivers.
I'd hate to be the driver that knocks a little kid out of the pram in the middle of the road.
Up 25 Down 1
drum on Mar 31, 2022 at 10:15 pm
I am honestly surprised that someone has not been killed outside the Shelter. Drunks just wonder out from the shelter (4th and Alexander) and the drivers have to make sure they do not hit of any those wondering souls. We, the drivers, have become very aware of the situation - this should not be happening downtown in our City.
Up 7 Down 27
Nathan Living on Mar 31, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Why do so many people blame the pedestrian?
Up 26 Down 15
Liberalism’s illegitimate children… Sanity, Reason, and Ethics… on Mar 31, 2022 at 11:04 am
Absolutely Dave… Pedestrians should be required to have insurance. Maybe - Pedestrian Insurance Cooperative of Kanada (PICK). Then when one of them steps OFF the curb negligently the driver can sue or counter sue under the PICK-OFF legislation.
Survivors of a PICK-OFF incident will be required to attend for gene therapy (We gotta deepen the gene pool), 30 hours of workshops to strengthen their attentional control, 30 hours of Walking and Chewing Gum for Dummies, and will be required to wear a large sign that states - My Apologies, I Am Working Hard To Strengthen Our Gene Pool!
Liberalism is chaos and mayhem!
Up 23 Down 1
TheHammer on Mar 31, 2022 at 10:24 am
Some pedestrians don't follow basic rules. They just walk straight out into traffic. Look right, look left, and look right again is not part of their traffic education. We used to get this in kindergarten. This includes drivers. This morning a driver came out of a side street, instead of looking left for oncoming traffic in the right lane, she was looking right, and started moving just as I was passing. When pedestrians come to a road they are supposed to stop, and see what's coming, they behave like they have tunnel vision. I was driving on main street toward White Pass, stopped at the traffic light, a car pulled up beside me on my right, she was going in the same direction as myself like it was a two lane hi way, she drove forward and passed. I couldn't believe it.
Up 22 Down 2
YD on Mar 31, 2022 at 9:42 am
Dave, she was at a crosswalk. The driver is at least partially to blame.
But yes, people shouldn't set foot on the road until they see oncoming traffic slowing down for them.
Up 14 Down 3
YukonMax on Mar 31, 2022 at 7:54 am
The pedestrians responsibilities were replaced by those visible and audible appartus. Why bother looking right and left when all of this is going on? Right?
Up 21 Down 1
Heidi on Mar 30, 2022 at 11:34 pm
The centre lane snow piles have been concerning this winter. They have been there too long at times (one week on my street) and were a hazard for turns when you couldn't see oncoming traffic. It's lucky that we haven't heard of any accidents due to these obstructions.
Up 34 Down 9
Dave on Mar 30, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Be aware of your surroundings.
Pedestrians fault.
Up 35 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Mar 30, 2022 at 2:30 pm
One situation does not a trend make. Seems like many below are anxous to create more policies and safety improvments. This poor woman is but one of hundreds of pedestrians who cross the roads daily with no problem. Let's wait to see if the lowered speed limits really work before we go to the next level of safety planning. Nature is going to thin the herd anyway.
Up 46 Down 4
I’m going slow and you passed me on Mar 30, 2022 at 11:08 am
Why is it always speeding that people always first jump to for the cause? From what has been announced none of the pedestrian incidents have had anything to do with speeding. How come nobody has pressured the city for a more concrete solution such as pedestrian lights at crosswalks? 4 lanes of traffic and people are acting like gophers expecting that the right of way is the only thing they need to know. I am astonished how many pedestrians just step off the curb and text their way across the street. Maybe I’m just over cautious, but I look at the lanes of traffic and don’t step in front of a vehicle if it looks like it hasn’t seen me. Maybe the RCMP should also be telling pedestrians to pay attention as well, rather than just telling motorist to be aware of pedestrians who may not be paying attention or eyes glued to their phone. Responsibility cannot only rest on the motorist. But hey, the geniuses at the city will take this as a win, survival rate has improved. So far.
Up 56 Down 2
Bandit on Mar 30, 2022 at 10:15 am
Pedestrians should also take responsibility and not enter a crosswalk distracted or otherwise preoccupied, come on people, we learned this in elementary school, look both ways and do not cross unless it is safe to do so.
Up 34 Down 8
JustSayin' on Mar 30, 2022 at 10:07 am
This advice "[T]hey should also be cautious of pedestrians who may be distracted or unaware of their surroundings (texting, on the phone, headphones in, umbrella or a hood blocking their vision)."
I guess society should treat pedestrians as wildlife
Up 6 Down 32
Just saying on Mar 30, 2022 at 10:06 am
I know it is hard to identify who is walking and who ain't. There use to be that pedestrians would point there way too safety, don't see that happening very often. I have a suggestion that may help. Is that the lead vehicle that sees a pedestrian walking, should be a able to take over both lanes, like park in the middle of both lanes so no vehicles can pass when pedestrians are walking.
Up 37 Down 10
Lower the Speed Limit on Mar 30, 2022 at 9:31 am
Better lower the speed limit to 30km/hour. And next time someone is hit, we'll lower it to 20km/hour. Eventually we'll lower it to 0km/hour, and everyone will have to walk.
Up 52 Down 8
Mitch Holder on Mar 30, 2022 at 8:13 am
It is high time we made jaywalking illegal and stopped blaming drivers for every incident. This town is rampant with drunks crossing streets and people taking shortcuts - your shortcut is going to get you smeared to the chassis of a 5500 fleet truck. Use your head when walking.
Up 27 Down 31
Liberalism Kills! on Mar 30, 2022 at 7:23 am
In support of Sally Lyons - It is dangerous to do the speed limit when others are not. You are supposed to go with the flow of traffic. So, if you are doing 40 and everyone else is going 50-60 kph then you are impeding the flow of traffic. This creates a higher risk of accidents.
Remember now, we live in a post-modernist Liberal Reality where the traffic signs are virtue signals. Virtues are aspirational and apply as a matter of an intermittent temporality in the context of a politicized will. As long as you remain a committed Liberal accepting of all the right ideas you will be okay. We look after our own around here.
When you see 40 kph, think warm
thoughts of a paternalistic Liberalism, the friendliest fascism on the planet!
Up 27 Down 10
Max Mack on Mar 29, 2022 at 11:47 pm
@Sally
You said, "Very few drivers are going the speed limit of 40 kilometres."
This is nonsense. Most drivers are driving 40 kph. I will note, however, that the speed limit could easily be 60 kph in the mornings and evenings when traffic is light.
As for the cause of this particular accident, I think we should withhold speculation as the investigation is clearly not complete and speeding has not been identified as a cause.
Up 31 Down 5
Brenda Dainton on Mar 29, 2022 at 11:39 pm
The cars parked on the side of the road don’t always provide a good visual for pedestrians before proceeding on the cross walk. So happy the pedestrian is ok.
Up 46 Down 3
Shirlee Fraser on Mar 29, 2022 at 7:12 pm
Pedestrians also should be aware of their surroundings & put the phone down for a few minutes while they “look both ways” & safely cross the street.
Up 40 Down 4
drum on Mar 29, 2022 at 6:17 pm
I think pedestrians have a responsibility as well - do not wander out onto a crosswalk texting or looking at your phone - you have an obligation to make sure that you are safe to cross. Look both ways - remember. I cannot remember the number of times that I have screeched to a stop (while driving) because someone just stepped out in front of me distracted by an IPHONE.
Up 42 Down 10
Guncache on Mar 29, 2022 at 6:10 pm
Police said drivers need to scan left and right. PEDESTRIANS need to scan left and right. Watch PEDESTRIANS next time you stop for one. They might look at you and then they cross without looking further. Most of them are dense and it's generally their fault when they get hit. Why would you step in front of 2 tons of steel?
Up 43 Down 2
Chars on Mar 29, 2022 at 5:43 pm
It's not just the responsibility of the driver. It's also the responsibility of the pedestrian to wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop before stepping onto the roadway. This is to ensure that both parties have acknowledged seeing each other.
I'm not saying that all drivers are driving responsibly and paying attention, because there are a lot of distracted drivers on the roads and speeding is still an issue downtown.
However, pedestrians need stop and look both ways before crossing, just like our parents taught us, just like drivers need to do.
I'm grateful this woman is okay, as we know it could have been much worse.
Up 44 Down 2
North_of_60 on Mar 29, 2022 at 5:17 pm
As a general reminder, pedestrians who may be distracted or unaware of their surroundings (texting, on the phone, headphones in, umbrella or a hood blocking their vision), should always scan right and left when approaching crosswalks before continuing across. They should also be cautious of vehicles at all times.
Up 48 Down 5
Jim on Mar 29, 2022 at 4:56 pm
And we knew reducing the speed limit was not the cure. But of course everyone jumps to “they must have been speeding” conclusion immediately. The bottom line is you have 4 lanes of traffic and no traffic control other than a crosswalk. And how about while warning drivers to be aware of pedestrians texting or oblivious to traffic, warn pedestrians to pay attention. It’s not that hard. After all, even though they have the right of way, they lose every time.
Up 24 Down 15
Demie Leduc on Mar 29, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Welp... guess we gotta lower the speed limit to 30 now!
Cause 40km/h isn't enough!
Seriously.
We where all taught to look both ways before crossing a street.
Mayne the city needs to invest in more reflecting signs and light up cross walk signs all over every corner of downtown.
Up 107 Down 32
Sally R Lyons on Mar 29, 2022 at 1:50 pm
Very few drivers are going the speed limit of 40 kilometres. I do and there are vehicles passing me all the time. They get angry at me for what they think is driving too slow, so they pass me even when it isn't safe.