Sadly, another pedestrian was killed in a collision earlier this month in Edmonton. The collision occurred in an expansive retail area along 137th Ave. in north Edmonton, in a notorious five-way stop near the Pier 1 store. The collision could just as easily occurred in Wetaskiwin or Leduc though.
As is typical with shopping centre parking lots, the majority of traffic in this area is channeled along the front of stores, which is the same place pedestrians are trying to cross to get into the retailers. Apparently, the 50-year-old woman who was killed was trying to cross this traffic and had a courteous motorist stop for her. A second motorist came up behind and struck the vehicle that was stopped, and the collision caused the death of the pedestrian.
Totally avoidable. If motorists would slow down and keep in mind that they are no longer driving on a road or freeway but rather a parking lot, the risks to pedestrians would be greatly reduced…and a little common courtesy, which isn’t so common anymore, would go a long way to cooling people’s tempers and make parking lots a little bit friendlier place than they are now.
As well, motorists should remember that all laws that pertain to public roads also apply in parking lots, especially right-of-way, proper signaling and proper backing-up…proper backing-up mostly be defined by “looking behind the vehicle first, then backing up.” Not the other way around. Those should all be a priority.
Another serious problem is a group of motorists who not only don’t follow rules but seem to think the rules may apply to others, but not to them. These are the motorists who park in handicapped spots even though they themselves aren’t handicapped, park their vehicles in front of stores and blocking entrances in areas clearly marked “no parking” and cut across parking spots at high speed despite the fact lanes and parking stalls are clearly marked.
Let’s all follow the rules, be more courteous and reduce risks. Tragedies such as the one in Edmonton are avoidable and unnecessary.
The Postal Strike
As most of The Pipestone Flyer’s readers know, Canada Post and two branches of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers could be knee-deep in labour trouble. This affects community newspapers that are delivered by Canada Post.
Canada Post has already confirmed if a strike or lockout occurs, the mail system will shutdown until the a deal is reached. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has stated he will not order either side back to work, although, to be frank, Trudeau is a politician and when the heat gets turned up, he’ll be tripping over himself to send the two sides back to the bargaining table.
Regardless, The Pipestone Flyer’s parent company, Black Press, has recruited a lengthy list of locations that the paper will be available at in the event of a postal disruption. In Wetaskiwin, find the paper at Wetaskiwin Co-op, TD Bank, Best Western, Wetaskiwin Shell; in the region find it at the Pipestone Flyer office, Millet Fresh Market, Millet Liquor Store, Millet Petro Canada, Pigeon Lake Petro Canada, Mulhurst Bayview Grocery, AG Foods Pigeon Lake, Falun Co-op; Leduc Co-op, No Frills, Walmart, Best Western, Calmar Co-op gas bar, Thorsby Esso and AJ’s Trading Post.
The Pipestone Flyer and Black Press thank our loyal readers for their patience in this situation.