Good afternoon UniverCity Community.
Community members have reached out to the UCA to continue a conversation about traffic hazards along University High Street, specifically vehicles parking along the south side of University High Street, obstructing traffic flow along the single lane of east bound traffic.
East bound drivers attempt to move around stopped vehicles, creating significant hazards for pedestrians and other drivers.
We are asking residents to help by sharing your experiences about this specific issue on this forum. If you are out walking and witness these behaviours you can submit a general pic on this page so that we can illustrate and pass on your concerns.
Please be safe, follow all traffic laws, and respect people’s privacy.
I find it frustrating when cars park on the road in front of the buildings across from the elementary school down to the 4-way stop. I drive a large SUV and can’t get around them without driving up on the meridian and risking damage to my vehicle, especially when people leave their vehicles parked there unoccupied and leave you no choice. I find double parking is also a huge problem on University Crescent with all of the food delivery service and Uber drivers just stopping on the road and leaving their cars to deliver food or waiting to pick people up.
Just drove down the street and there were not one, but two cars parked along the High Street.
Thank you for these Bonnie.
This isn't only an issue on University High Street, but is also an issue on University Crescent.
Starting on University High Street, the main types of drivers that I have seen stopped are delivery drivers - meal delivery services, along with postal couriers. I drive a larger vehicle and haven't had any issue getting by most vehicles. However, if I were to be obstructed by FedEx/CanadaPost etc, there isn't a way I would be able to safely get around. Compounding the issue of vehicles illegally parking on this street are drivers that do no drive the speed limit, nor do they drive to the conditions. Mixing the obstructed view due to illegally parked vehicles, along with poor and/or reckless driving ability of some is a recipe for disaster. There have been a few times where I have told the driver they can't park there, but they really don't care. I've had a few of these drivers make threats at me in some instances.
Very similar issues on University Crescent. Most of the time there is parking, but these drivers are too lazy, or not skilled enough to parallel park into available spots. Instead they illegally toss on their hazards in the middle of the road to go drop whatever it is they need to off. Drivers along University Crescent also have a tendency to park within the entry and exit ways of the complexes along University Crescent obstructing traffic for those trying to enter or leaving their residences. These drivers don't care and more needs to be done. You give some of them a courtesy honk to move so that you can pass, and sometimes you get flipped off and/or yelled at.
Also, sort of related, I have found that most of the construction personnel do not give a single sh!t about this community. In the morning they consistently speed along University High Street, along with any other road up here. The speed limits are clearly posted, but they do not care. I've lost track of the number of times I have nearly been run over in the crosswalk along University High Street due to these speeding drivers before 7am. I'm all for building out the community, but those construction personnel need to be held to a higher standard than they are currently being held to.
Hi Roadrunner. I can totally relate to your experiences of obstructing vehicles along both streets. We are becoming so used to driving around vehicles out of frustration that about 20 minutes ago while I stopped for pedestrians at the crosswalk, another vehicle impatiently began driving around me. I aggressively honked my horn, scaring the pedestrians but got the attention of the driver. Was it impatience and crappy driving or just a reaction to cars constantly being stopped illegally on the streets? I don't know.
I will bring the 7am speedster concerns up at the next UCA meeting. We have a liaison to the construction groups who can reiterate speed limits to their crews but even as I type this, I am rolling my eyes. Also, the roads that bring morning traffic up to the neighbourhood are SFU owned roads (excluding University Crescent), I'd have to clarify who would even enforce the speed limits if they were even available.
Thanks for contributing to the forum. Our aim is to bring more information to SFU to address the University High Street vehicle obstructions so that we can find a solution that impacts the community more positively.
@Tricia I should probably figure out how to update my profile and name! Thanks for your response!
Sorry to hear that happened, but glad no one was hurt. I don't know what it is about that crosswalk. I personally feel that it is easy to see people entering/exiting it as a driver, but as a pedestrian I've lost track of the number of times a car has come flying down that road and not having any awareness that I, or others, are there. Further to that, part of that stretch of University High Street is a school zone and its baffling to see the disregard for safety that some drivers have. I wonder if a flashing pedestrian crosswalk, or maybe a raised crosswalk may help. I feel like the solution implemented along University Crescent has helped a bit with crossing the road there.
Ahh, right I always forget that some of the roads are owned by City of Burnaby and some are SFU. Thank you none the less :)!!