Petition calls for safety improvements at accident-prone Lambton intersection
A petition calling for safety improvements to an accident-prone rural intersection in Lambton County is picking up momentum.
It follows three separate crashes in the last few months at London Line and Forest Road, and a fatal crash at the site last September.
That’s when Watford resident Stephanie Cattrysse lost her stepfather.
“We don’t want other families to suffer,” said Cattrysse.
Her stepfather, 57-year-old Robert Hollingsworth, was well known in the area for his painting business. He was pronounced dead after a two-vehicle crash at the site.
A driver from Kitchener was charged with careless driving causing death in connection with the incident.
Cattrysse has launched a petition both online and on paper, calling on Lambton County to make improvements to the intersection to make it safer.
Currently, the intersection is controlled by a two-way stop sign on Forest Road for northbound and southbound traffic. The speed limit on London Line, going east and west, is 90 kilometres an hour.
“This intersection is due for updates in the next two to three years, but that’s too long to wait,” said Cattrysse. “Bob was killed nine months ago, and since then there have been an additional three collisions at this intersection, so something needs to be done at least in the interim.”
Last fall, following the crash that killed Hollingsworth, OPP had tallied up 31 collisions at the site since 2010, including two fatalities.
Area residents say the trend is distrubing. “There’s a lot of times in the morning people don’t slow down, or they’ll slow down and they’ll shoot straight through,” remarked resident Dan Jans.
“It’s a bad corner, I keep my eyes open whenever I’m in that area,” said area resident O’Nile Forget.
Why it’s such a troubled intersection is a bit of a mystery, because it’s wide open, and there are no visible obstructions.
“There’s definitely something needed there,” said Lambton County Warden Kevin Marriott. He tells CTV News London a traffic study will be conducted over the summer with a report expected in September.
“First few steps could be overhead flashing lights, rumble strips. The review will also look at roundabout. Yeah, all options will be looked at.”
Cattrysse said she’s happy to see wheels are in motion. She’s hoping to get 5,000 signatures for her petition, which she will present to Lambton County council next month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.