An accident on Wednesday, October 11 demonstrated why. At 12:30 pm, RCMP were notified of a motor vehicle collision between a pick-up truck pulling a trailer and male youth at the crosswalk at the intersection of Mill Road and Buckingham Street near Boissevain School.
Police and EMS attended the scene and found a 13-year-old male and damaged bicycle on the road. A black pick-up with trailer was stopped on side of the road. The youth was sent to Boissevain Health Centre with non-life threatening injuries, while school administration notified his parents.
RCMP investigation determined that the black pick-up and trailer were travelling south on Mill Road approaching the crosswalk. The youth started crossing the road proceeding westbound without activating the lights at the crosswalk. Traffic was stopped because of the construction north of town, which reduced the visibility of the truck. The male youth went around a semi stopped on the crosswalk and proceeded into the southbound lanes. Without looking, he rode into the path of the oncoming pick-up and was hit. The youth was not wearing a helmet and did not disembark his bike while on the crosswalk.
Alcohol and speed are not considered factors in the accident and charges against the driver or youth under the Highway Traffic Act are not being considered.
Cpl. Matt Robinson of the Boissevain/Deloraine RCMP Detachment wants the public to pay special attention at the road crossing and to learn the lesson of the recent accident.
“This incident could have resulted in a much worse outcome,” Robinson explained. “Students and cyclists are reminded that they are to utilize the flashing lights at the crosswalk to alert traffic that they wish to cross the road and are not to enter the roadway until it is safe to do so. Cyclists are to disembark their bicycle and walk it across the roadway. By law, cyclists are to wear helmets at all times when operating a bicycle on a roadway. With the current construction ongoing in the area, the risk to pedestrians increases and they should exercise due care when cycling and/or walking in the area.”
By PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff