Warminster parent concerned ‘a child will be struck’ at intersection

Vehicles slowed to a halt as a set of flashing lights alerted drivers to the pedestrian crossover at the intersection of Highway 12 and Warminster Sideroad.

Moments later, a car driven by a young man cruised through the crossing, oblivious to the slim, rectangular lights mounted on poles at either side of the road.

For Hillary Handy, a parent with a child attending nearby Warminster Elementary School, the scene was a troubling reminder of what she and others say is a dangerous situation.

“My greatest concern is that a child will be struck in broad daylight because cars are refusing to yield, let alone stop,” she said.

Handy said many motorists are unaware of the pedestrian crossing, with some paying no attention to the flashing lights that are activated by the push of a button.

“If you are going through at the wrong time of day and it’s too sunny, you can’t actually see them,” she added.

Handy noted the highway physically divides this growing community that is home to new development and increased truck traffic. Commuters also pass through the area, she said.

“It is also the only designated crosswalk in the community across Highway 12 providing access to the post office, a convenience store, gas station, LCBO, a park, soccer fields and people’s homes.”

Handy has launched a petition on calling on Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation to install traffic lights to “provide safety for pedestrians of all ages, but specifically school-aged children who walk to school unsupervised.”

Oro-Medonte Ward 2 Coun. Tammy DeSousa supports the effort, describing the crossing as “absurd.”

“It’s ludicrous,” she said. “We have an elementary school on one corner.”

That Warminster is split by the highway makes a solution all the more necessary, said DeSousa.

“There (are) development plans on all four corners there, either planned or in the process,” she said. “Traffic and the presence of pedestrians and children has increased substantially over the last few years.”

The ministry said the pedestrian crossover was constructed in 2017 to replace an existing school crossing.

The controlled crossover is available whenever required, unlike a school crossing that is in effect only when a crossing guard is present, said spokesperson Astrid Poei.

“Penalties for failing to yield at pedestrian crosswalks, school crossings and crossovers can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and four demerit points upon conviction,” she said.

Poei said the ministry undertook public education efforts when the crossover was installed, including electronic message boards upstream of the area.

A Sept. 21 review of the intersection by ministry staff determined “the crossing is being used correctly and the majority of vehicles are complying and stopping for the pedestrians,” Poei added. “However, some instances of non-compliance have been observed.”

Before installation of traffic signals can be considered, a range of requirements must be met, she said. Considerations include traffic volumes and delays to sideroad traffic.

Based on a 2019 study of the intersection, “traffic signals are not currently warranted,” Poei added.

Ministry staff will request the OPP consider enhancing enforcement in the area.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Simcoe.com decided to pursue this story after hearing first-hand from a concerned parent about drivers who are unaware of the pedestrian crossover at this intersection. A reporter also witnessed a driver pass through the lights that signal vehicles to stop.