Council's vote increases danger for pedestrians

Heartsick, appalled, disappointed. And scared. Wednesday, August 27, Sandpoint City Council voted 4-2 to, in essence, turn down a grant to make it safe for pedestrians and bicycles crossing Highway 2 at Michigan. Pedestrians have been hit by vehicles here and the public schools named it as the greatest danger point for their students walking or cycling to school.

This grant was awarded to the city in 2007, but design issues delayed installing the pedestrian/bicycle activated light. Now, with opposition from two businesses, safety has proven less important than the convenience of fronting enterprises. Ironically, Idaho Transportation Department let the city know recently (and the city shared this information with the business owners) that the businesses would have their access restricted in these very same ways when Highway 2 is ‘improved.'

Very interestingly, the "No" votes were cast by two grandmothers (neither of them has grandchildren using this intersection) one father of a preschooler whose child may use this crossing someday to reach the middle school, and a recently married councilman  who presumably will be a father. As a grandmother myself, I can't imagine voting to put other peoples' youngsters in harms' way. Voting for the safety of Sandpoint's students were two unmarried councilmen, who deserve our thanks.

The city will undoubtedly stripe the crossing, perhaps improve signage, etc. Sadly, research by the Federal Highway Administration shows that only a red light reliably stops traffic. These other steps will help, but not ensure the safety I would want for my family.

If your students cross Highway 2 at Michigan (or anywhere  else) teach them to stay at the edge of the road until traffic is stopped in both directions on the highway and at the cross streets. It is a complex intersection, and you might want to visit it with your student to reinforce exactly what is needed for them to defend their safety.

MOLLY O'REILLY

Sandpoint