Dollard in the dark about traffic light woes

One such case occurred last week in Dollard des Ormeaux when five vehicles, including two school buses transporting high school students, rammed into each other on Sources Boulevard near Belcourt Street. The intersection had been considered dangerous for years since oncoming traffic from Belcourt, located only on the western side of Sources and controlled by a stop sign, had to head into the busy six-lane boulevard, in either the north or south direction, facing oncoming cars who had no lights or stop signs to slow them down. Municipal officials finally gave the go-ahead for traffic lights last fall (a good decision). While the lights were finally installed last month, they are not functional, apparently waiting for a Hydro-Quebec crew to connect power. Two small signs at the intersection state the new lights will begin operating June 9. Despite those signs and the fact the lights were angled down since erected, some motorists may simply have thought the lights were out due to a power failure or a technical problem, and wondered if they must make a stop. That seems to be what led to the May 26 crash. A driver stopped at the non-functioning lights and unsuspecting drivers behind her, perhaps tailgating, rammed into the vehicles in front of them to avoid the first car that stopped during the busy afternoon rush-hour. What municipal officials can learn from this is to better communicate and warn motorists when installing new traffic-control mechanisms. A larger sign, with a graphic message, heading into the intersection should have been in place letting people know new traffic lights were coming. A better job of indicating the newly erected lights were not operating should have been in place before the crash. About two days after the crash, plastic was taped over the new set of lights to make sure motorists knew they were not yet operational. As well, better co-ordination between the town, the contractor and Hydro Quebec could have avoided a seemingly lengthy delay between the start of setting up the lights and having them actually function. In this case, it seems to have been a good month or even longer.

Those responsible for the new traffic lights are probably breathing a sigh of relief that, while 23 people were injured in the May 26 mishap, at least no one was killed.