I'm still a little in shock over it... but, last night, one of our DCP's was killed crossing Georgia Ave.
I don't even know what to say... we felt very close to her, and so I'm really upset over it. She was one of the sweetest and most hardworking people I've ever known... not only did she work full time in the daycare, she worked every weekend at Dunkin Donuts in King Farm, and, had just started school this semester. I'm just glad that DD isn't quite old enough to understand what's going on.
It makes me so mad to know that there are no safe crosswalks for at least a mile long stretch of Georgia Ave, and more than one person has been killed in that exact same spot over the last couple of years.
Re: One of our DCP died last night...
I just learned of the news too -- Ch Ch Chia's DD and my DS go to the same DCP. I'm so overwhelmed with sadness right now. We have only had DS in daycare for a month and a half, but the DCPs are like family to us.
It's hitting me extra hard because I work in pedestrian safety.
Ironically, I also work in transportation safety (less directly than ladywalton) - so, combined with the fact that they are like family to us, I too feel the double whammy.
I am so sorry. What a terrible, terrible tragedy.
I hear you on pedestrian safety. I lived in the suburbs for two years sans car and there are a lot of places that are just not pedestrian friendly. It's especially difficult when you need to cross the street to get the bus and there are no crosswalks.
I'm so sorry for your loss (for both lw and ch ch chia).
As a Wheaton resident, it makes me so angry and sad that pedestrians are in such danger in our community. When I lived in the upcounty area, I was involved in some pedestrian safety initiatives, and I have done some pedestrian safety-related work at my current job, and it's really important to me, too. I don't know what we can do to make the roads safer.
This is so sad. It is terrible the amount of peds that are killed in this area crossing the street. Granted, some of them could make better decisions, but I wish MoCo would install more crosswalks so people aren't risking their lives crossing not at a light.
I'm thinking along the lines of those ones up on Twinbrook between Veirs Mill and the pike that light up when you come near them...
I was doing some research today to try to answer your question (what can we do?), and may apply for this board:
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/exec/vacancies/PR_details.asp?PrID=7590
I am not sure if I'm able to (I need to check with my ethics person at work...) but, if I can, I will. I was very upset by the deaths on Veirs Mill a couple of weeks ago, and now this. Not to mention my own experiences in trying to cross some of the intersections around here from the 2 years when I didn't have a car.