Concerns grow over pedestrian safety following accident at Aylmer crosswalk

Tashi Farmilo

An 84-year-old woman was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle while crossing Wilfrid-Lavigne Boulevard in her wheelchair on January 26. The accident has reignited concerns about pedestrian safety at the busy crosswalk near Principale Street, where residents have long complained of dangerous driving and inadequate enforcement.

According to Gatineau Police, officers responded to the scene of the collision and found the woman conscious before she was transported to the hospital for treatment of her injuries. Police stated that there were no elements of negligence in the case.

The intersection in question is a particularly hazardous one. It features two lanes of traffic in each direction, along with a vehicle exit from Galeries Aylmer. While there is a pedestrian-activated signal, local residents say it is frequently ignored by drivers. The area is home to multiple seniors' residences, a shopping center, a cafe, and several public transit stops, making the crosswalk a key route for pedestrians, many of whom are elderly or have mobility challenges.

Michelle Bonhomme, a resident of Chartwell Monastère d’Aylmer, is leading a petition urging the city to install a traffic camera at the intersection. The petition, addressed to Gatineau's mayor and the chair of the Public Security Commission, argues that camera enforcement is necessary to curb dangerous driving and ensure pedestrian safety.

Bonhomme said that when she first proposed the idea of a petition to fellow residents, it was met with overwhelming support. “Everybody was happy. Everybody was accepting and approving, and everybody’s going to sign it,” she said.

Gatineau Police have previously monitored the crosswalk, issuing tickets to drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians. However, Bonhomme said officers acknowledged that enforcement could not be constant. Instead, they suggested that a camera could serve as a more effective deterrent, automatically issuing fines to drivers who fail to yield.

Chartwell Monastère d’Aylmer’s General Manager, Marc Beauchamp, acknowledged the residents’ concerns, stating that the safety of seniors is a priority. "We are in discussions with Ms. Bonhomme to help her present to the Residents' Committee her petition project aimed at improving local pedestrian safety,” he said.

The petition underscores the frustrations of many in the community who feel that crossing the street has become an increasingly dangerous endeavor. Residents report frequent close calls with vehicles, particularly for those who may have slower reaction times or mobility issues.

Bonhomme, who has led previous petitions for community improvements, remains determined. “If you want to help others, you’ve got to have power,” she said. “And power should be used wisely—to help others.”

As signatures for the petition continue to be gathered, residents hope that city officials will take action before another serious accident occurs. The petition is in the Aylmer Bulletin office and here on Page 6 to be cut out and dropped off with the Aylmer Bulletin.