When it comes to crosswalk flags, the town of Antigonish, N.S., is standing up and saluting.
The flags are a pilot project started by town council. Shaun Smith of the Antigonish Traffic Authority says response has been extremely positive.
“With the first eight weeks, I'm very satisfied with what has taken place so far,” Smith says. “We have requests from other areas to do the same thing.”
Local resident Chuck Medon says he has no problem using the recently installed flags.
“I use it during the dark just to make sure people can see me because that's, I find, the most dangerous time. Either the dark or when it's really bright,” says Medon
Bright morning sunshine was a factor back in November of 2008, when a 70-year-old woman was struck and killed while walking on Hawthorne Street in Antigonish.
Just five days earlier, a young woman was seriously injured when she was hit at the same crossing. Fortunately, she recovered from her injuries.
While Antigonish is looking at expanding the program, Halifax Regional Council has voted to stop putting out new flags. A staff report initially suggested removing one-third of them, but instead, a moratorium was put in place.
“I don't understand why the council or whoever's in charge wants to get rid of them because they're helping the people, and it's saving lives. They should use them,” says Joe Chesal, who was a close friend of the 70-year-old Antigonish woman.
“There's so much in the world today, in regards to texting, using cell phones. People aren't paying attention. But if they can use flags, it's another tool in the toolbox for the pedestrians,” said Shaun Smith.
The only problem they seem to be seeing so far is that some of the flags are being stolen. But Smith says the number isn't high and they can always be replaced.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
