Pedestrian Fatality Sparks Urgent Call for Safer Winnipeg Streets

BREAKING: Winnipeg residents are demanding immediate action for safer streets following the tragic death of author Rosalie Tennison, who was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of Roslyn Road and Osborne Street. This urgent call for improved pedestrian safety unfolded during a candlelight vigil on the evening of July 14, 2023, where dozens gathered to honor Tennison and all victims of traffic-related fatalities.

Tennison, a 67-year-old agriculture journalist, was crossing the street last Friday when a car traveling west on Roslyn hit her. She succumbed to her injuries the following day, marking her as the ninth pedestrian to be fatally struck by a vehicle in Winnipeg this year, according to police reports.

Attendees at the vigil expressed their grief and frustrations. Dolores Tjart, a close friend of Tennison’s, shared, “She wanted to live in an area where she could walk and go to things where she didn’t have to drive. She just wanted to be part of a neighborhood.”

Local advocacy group Osborne Village BIZ organized the vigil and is pushing for immediate changes to ensure pedestrian safety. Alec Dickson, operations co-ordinator for the non-profit, stated, “We’ve been pushing for better pedestrian safety for a long while now.” He highlighted a rejected proposal for a pedestrian scramble at the nearby River Avenue intersection, which was dismissed due to concerns about traffic delays.

Dickson emphasized the urgent need for infrastructure improvements, stating, “A lot of the sidewalks already are too narrow and the speed limits are just too high.” Community members are calling for the removal of slip lanes and high-risk infrastructure, alongside a reduced speed limit in the densely populated area.

Residents like Steve West, who has lived in the neighborhood for nearly thirty years, voiced concerns over distracted driving. “This is a commuter corridor from downtown to the suburbs and people seem to want to get out of here as quickly as possible,” he noted. West hopes the vigil sends a clear message to drivers to slow down.

The city of Winnipeg has yet to respond to the growing outcry for pedestrian safety measures. The community is advocating for the adoption of the Vision Zero initiative, which aims for zero traffic deaths and serious injuries, a goal already embraced by several Canadian cities.

“This year alone, if we reduce by 20 percent as proposed, we’re still talking about 140 fatalities,” West cautioned. “That’s 140 Rosalies and her family and her community that are affected.”

As the community mourns the loss of a beloved author and friend, the call for safer streets in Winnipeg has never been more urgent. Local leaders and residents are prepared to fight for changes that could save lives.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the community and advocates continue to push for essential safety reforms.