City leaders discuss intersection pedestrian issues

Columbia leaders met at 7 Wednesday night to discuss intersection pedestrian issues. A MoDot Central District Representative was set up to explain the specific issues on Providence Road and Carter Lane, where a University of Missouri student died in 2015 but that representative was absent tonight.

The Pedestrian Safety Task Force believes that Columbia’s recent experience with pedestrian safety is similar to other cities across the county. Due to a rising population, more people are walking which results in a higher risk for accidents.

The U.S Department of Transportation reports that annual pedestrian fatalities increased 15 percent between 2009 and 2012.

Four pedestrians have been killed and four others have been seriously injured from October 2014 to May 2015 in Columbia.

The Mayor’s Pedestrian Safety Task Force is set to present it’s final findings to the City Council on Thursday March 17th.