Parents Of Student Injured In Crosswalk Unhappy With Planned Changes
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4) - Changes will be made to a dangerous crosswalk where a Dakota Ridge High School student was critically injured. Her parents don't like the proposed changes.
Dallas Vosburg was hit by a street sign that was knocked over when two vehicles collided back in October.
Dallas' parents are upset with a Jefferson County plan to fix that crosswalk. They told CBS4 the planned changes are not enough.
"I'm very disappointed. I think there needs to be a stoplight there, I think the speed limit needs to be lowered and I'm not happy with their decision," said Dallas' mother Holly Vosburg.
The county said the $20,000 project it's proposing should make a big enough difference.
"The bottom line is that we've taken a look at it and we've recommended some improvements that we feel make it safer," said Jefferson County Transportation Division spokesman Kevin French.
Rumble strips will be cut in to the road ahead of the crosswalk. The strips are a safety feature that produce a strong vibration and loud noise when drivers cross them.
New overhead lights will also be installed and extra signs will be put in place reminding drivers to yield. The lanes will be re-striped to prohibit drivers from changing lanes too close to the crosswalk.
"I don't know if that's going to be enough to prevent another accident," said Dallas's father Dan Vosburg.
The Vosburgs still would like to see a lower speed limit and a traffic light.
"We do feel that the location operates safely without a traffic signal," French said.
French said adding a traffic signal could actually create more problems.
"Traffic signals themselves often add to rear-end crashes which is exactly the kind we've already got so we don't want to add to those kinds of crashes," French said.
The Vosburg's aren't convinced that Dallas will be the last child hurt unless more extreme changes are made.
"If it was their daughter I bet they'd put a light in right away," Holly Vosburg said.
The Vosburgs are hoping the community will step forward and ask the county to reconsider its plans.
The county said the proposed changes should be in place before school starts in the fall.
Dallas Vosburg was left with severe injuries to her brain and eyesight. She is still undergoing occupational therapy as part of her recovery.
