One family in Montreal’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough is still reeling from a tragic incident that occurred on June 24th near Parc Mésy. Al Housseini Diacko, a 14-year-old, was struck by a car while crossing the intersection with his siblings and mother. He was on a scooter and unfortunately lost his life instantly. The road safety advocacy group Souliers et vélos fantômes Québec (SVFQ) commemorated the young boy’s death by installing their first “ghost” scooter at the accident site. This incident has deeply affected the family, who were too distraught to speak on camera and openly wept during the ceremony.
According to a family friend, Mohamed Sylla, the area where the accident occurred on Lachapelle Street has a notorious reputation for speeding traffic, despite the speed limit being 50 km/h. Residents mention that accidents happen frequently in this area, but it is rare for fatalities to occur. SVFQ spokesperson, Severine Le Page, who resides in the neighborhood, highlights the concerns of residents who have been urging the city to make changes for years. They believe that during the day, the street is likened to a highway, while at night, it becomes a race course, contributing to the dangerous conditions.
Statistics from the Police Directors Association of Quebec indicate a 23% decrease in pedestrian fatalities across the province from 2022 to 2023. Nonetheless, road safety advocates stress that the 2022 fatality record was the worst in over a decade, emphasizing the need for continuous efforts to improve road safety. They criticize governments for their slow response in implementing necessary changes to address these issues. Advocates argue that reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h is one effective measure that could improve safety, especially considering the proximity of the park to the street and the high number of children who use the park daily.
Residents in the area, including Sylla and others, have initiated a petition advocating for the reduction of the speed limit on Lachapelle Street. They are determined to push for this change to ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the neighborhood. Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante recently expressed her desire to acquire 300 photo radars for the city from the province to help deter speeding, particularly in school zones. The borough mayor for Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Émilie Thuillier, emphasizes the seriousness of the request to reduce speed on Lachapelle Street and underscores that discussions with the Quebec transport ministry will be essential in addressing this issue.
Efforts to improve road safety and reduce speeding in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough are ongoing, with advocates, residents, and government officials collaborating to implement necessary changes. The tragic loss of Al Housseini Diacko has brought renewed attention to the dangers posed by speeding traffic in the area, prompting calls for urgent action. As residents continue to push for a reduction in the speed limit and the implementation of photo radars, the hope is that these measures will contribute to creating a safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and all road users in the neighborhood. The community remains united in their efforts to prevent further tragedies and promote road safety in their area.
