A report, prompted by the death of a young boy in St. Albert back in 2013, has been released, containing short and long-term strategies to enhance pedestrian safety in and around school zones.
Back in September, 2013, Thomas Wedman, 6, was crossing Woodlands Road at Sir Winston Churchill Avenue just before 8:45 a.m. when he was hit by a school bus.
Wedman died as a result of the crash.
“A tragedy in a community has an emotional under current that stays for the longest period of time, for the family it stays forever,” St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse said.
The bus driver, later identified as 62-year-old Joseph Allen had pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to yield to a pedestrian, he was fined $2,000.
For the 864 page report, all 26 St. Albert schools were reviewed and given suggestions for improving where students are dropped off, how to enforce the area around the school yard, and education tips.
“Really taking a look at every school with a critical eye and really implementing engineering, policies, standards, in some cases, bylaw changes, cement things for decades ahead,” Crouse said.
St. Albert’s City Manager will review the recommendations of the report, and bring a proposed action plan, including priorities and financial considerations related to recommendations for the City by June 1.
With files from Brenna Rose
