Speedy crosswalk signals spark pedestrian safety questions

The busy intersection at Highway 10 and 200th Street in Langley can be intimidating to cross for seniors and people with mobility issues. April 16, 2013. (CTV)

Walk signals at intersections are meant to keep pedestrians safe, but if the signals change too quickly, it can make it difficult for seniors and people with mobility issues to cross the street.

The busy intersection at Highway 10 and 200th Street in Langley can be an intimidating one to cross, especially if you need to get around on a scooter, like Gord Weitzel.

The traffic at the intersection is heavy and Weitzel feels the walk signal is surprisingly short. It takes just four seconds before the flashing red, “don’t walk” hand appears. Weitzel has to hustle to get to the other side in time and motorists often have very little patience.

“They think that I'm rolling in my scooter against the don't walk sign and they'll sound the horn. One time they flipped the bird at me," said Weitzel.

With many seniors and disabled residents in the area, Weitzel thinks the crosswalk lights should be changed. He prefers the countdown signal format, where pedestrians know exactly how much time they have to cross the road before the light turns green.

Consumer reporter Lynda Steele took Weitzel’s concerns to the people responsible for crosswalk timers at the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. They told CTV the intersection is as pedestrian friendly as possible and people actually have a total of 40 seconds to cross.

“But we can take a look at it just to make sure there aren’t any new things that have been introduced into that area,” said Thomas Chhun, Operations Manager of the Lower Mainland District.

After CTV contacted the ministry, officials met with Weitzel and re-examined the crosswalk. They agreed to upgrade the signals at the busy Langley intersection to a pedestrian countdown model. The upgrade is scheduled to be complete in a month at a cost of $4,500.

While the countdown signals may increase pedestrian safety, a recent study by Canadian researchers found the signals are being linked to an increase in collisions between vehicles. The theory is when motorists see countdown clocks they speed up to beat the light, but their timing can be off and they smash into other vehicles.