New Safety Measures For Cross Walk At Maple Leaf Elementary

A lack of caution at the intersection outside Maple Leaf School in Morden necessitated the purchase of new safety pylons to remind drivers the traffic lights dictate when they can proceed.

Thanks to a $700 donation from the Morden Community Thrift Shop, three high visibility pylons with special signs reminding drivers of the traffic lights controlling the intersection were purchased for the school. Teachers and education assistants who volunteer as crossing guards were glad to see the pylons arrive Wednesday morning.

"I think in terms of having something still remaining out there once we've left the intersection is huge," said Megan Dias, educational assistant and crossing guard at Maple Leaf School.

"Normally [drivers] see us leave and that's the indicator that they think that they can proceed, meanwhile, we all know that a red light is a red light," said Dias.

There were 40 complaints made to Morden Police last year of drivers who only stopped at the school zone intersection long enough to let children and crossing guards traverse the street, but then drove off down the road, ignoring the traffic light which was still red.

Dias was grateful that officers have been watching the intersection and handing out tickets to drivers going through a red light.

"We see the lights as key for our kids' safety, and it's now a point where we can funnel the kids through without worrying about them crossing the street without safe crossing."

The worst time for the traffic negligence, said Dias, is in the morning when people are driving to work.

Sergeant Brent Menzies with the Morden Police Service gave a brief presentation to the students of Maple Leaf school, explaining the purpose of the pylons and displaying them for the children and staff to see. He explained that getting license plate numbers of those who drive through the red lights.

"We follow up on all the complaints [crossing guards] give us," said Menzies.

When Menzies calls the drivers, they often tell him they forgot about the light until just after. "That's too late," said Menzies.

"We need people to stop and obey the traffic lights," he said.

Each pylon has a sign with a symbol of traffic lights and an arrow pointing up. The crossing guards, teachers, and police are all expecting drivers to better obey the laws to keep students safe.