crosswalks

Another pedestrian fatality

Police statement published today by the Carrboro Citizen:

On Thursday, December 11th, the Chapel Hill Police responded to a traffic crash on N.C. 54 west of the South Columbia Street Bridge. Seven pedestrians were reportedly crossing the roadway at approximately 10:30 PM. Four of the pedestrians had made it to the median and three were struck by an eastbound vehicle. One person, a female, was pronounced dead at the scene and two others were transported to UNC Hospital for treatment of their non-life threatening injuries.

- http://www.carrborocitizen.com/main/2008/12/12/pedestrian-killed-at-south-columbia-street-bridge/

Highlighting yet again the need to make our town more walkable.  

Endangered pedestrians

With this weekend's bad news, Chapel Hill's pedestrian death toll rises to THREE in the past month. May 17: Barbara Boone Sims was killed crossing Weaver Dairy Road at Perkins Drive, May 15: Lisa Carolyn Moran was fatally hit by a bus on Manning Drive near UNC Hospital, April 27: Clifton Walker Steed was killed crossing MLK Blvd at Hillsborough Street. All were killed within a block of the NC 86 corridor (South Columbia Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard).

I know the Town has studied the MLK portion of the corridor and proposed some pedestrian improvements (PDF report), but none have been implemented yet as far as I know. We also need to remember that crosswalks don't exist in a vacuum, we need safe sidewalks, well-lit bus shelters, adequate bike lanes, and much more.

 

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