We are the physicians practicing in the Sturgeon Community Hospital. Our offices are located in the Summit Centre and Summit Galleria.
Due to the nature of our work, we get called regularly to attend emergency including deliveries of babies and unstable patients. Sometimes, we may not have 10 minutes to try to get to one of the traffic lights to get across to the hospital. Driving less than a block across the street is very silly and environmentally unfriendly.
The crosswalk between the Summit Centre and the hospital is the shortest route to reach the hospital. If the crosswalk is removed, one of two scenarios will happen: either we will get delayed in attending emergencies and put patients at risk or we will take our chances and jaywalk across the street. Either scenario will be undesirable for the patients and our safety. All of us are trying to contribute to the community, but none of us want to endanger our lives.
We drive on Boudreau Road to get to our offices and the hospital daily. The crosswalk and the pedestrians are very visible. It has never been the cause of congestion for traffic in either direction.
We think removing the crosswalk will possibly cause more pedestrian accidents. Undoubtedly, more people will be jaywalking for convenience. As we know, the fine for fail to stop at a crosswalk is $575. If the RCMP officers spend a few weeks to be on watch for crosswalks, we are sure a good amount of funds can be raised to put up a flashing crosswalk light instead.
Dr. Tam Florence, on behalf of the doctors from the Sturgeon Community Hospital, St. Albert
