Letter: Drivers, slow down, in Squamish

I feel lucky that I grew up in a quiet neighbourhood, on a quiet street, where kids of all ages ran from house to house, up and down the hill, rode bikes, played hockey, tag, hide and seek, and so many other games I’m not even sure had names. I feel twice as lucky to have been raising our children, for the past 10 years, in a similar setting here in Squamish.

As I write this, I can see my kids and their friends rollerblading on the road they just covered with extensive chalk art. It makes me happy to see them enjoy the freedom and bliss of being young in such an environment.  

On our small street of 12 houses, there are 15 kids between the age of two and 13. Add another dozen if you count the houses around the corner. There’s also access to a playground. It’s the kind of street you don’t need to drive on unless you live on it. You probably get the picture by now.

On a recent sunny afternoon, I was busy making dinner and lunch boxes in the kitchen. My two children were playing on the street with two friends. I noticed they set up their game right in the middle of the road, not too far from the intersection with another street. They had put up their yellow “children at play” safety figure next to them, but I thought about how I should go remind them that’s not the right place to sit down and play. That’s when I saw a car turn the corner at a speed you don’t drive at when kids are in the middle of the road. It isn’t an unusual occurrence, sadly.

I went out to tell the kids to set up on the side of the road. I made a point of reminding them to always watch out for cars and to be mindful of their surroundings while playing: the road is a shared space.

Our neighborhoods are changing. There are little humans in strollers, on bikes and scooters. There are older people with walkers. There are teenagers going places together and families walking their dogs. I understand how one who has been here for over 30 years might not appreciate that change. But it’s life.

You can choose to be a part of the change or resent it, but you can not jeopardize the lives of our children because of how you feel about it.

What kind of grown human being doesn’t understand the importance we all have as a community to keep everyone safe, young and old, even when they’re out doing what some deem irresponsible — like playing in the street?

Is it really too much to ask to live up to your responsibility as an adult driver?

Adapt your driving to the conditions and situations around you.

They’re children; they’re everywhere. Take a deep breath, be patient and tolerant. It’s not easy, I know, but please try.

Marie-ève Trigg

Squamish parent