Janie Andrews

I’ve lived in Fox Point since 1971.

We raised four children here. Beginning with the little two room school house here in Fox Point. Even then, there were safety issues with children walking home from school. 

Of course, children are taught to walk facing the traffic. Our oldest daughter, walking home from school, and needing to cross at our driveway, on top of a blind crest, was struck and thrown by a speeding car. A vehicle that couldn’t be seen, beyond the crest. From that day on, my children had to walk with traffic to get home safely. 

Conditions of Fox Point Road have only worsened since those years. Speeding vehicles are only one concern, although a big concern. Lack of shoulders on the roads is the biggest issue in Fox Point, in my opinion. So much so, that I no longer feel safe to walk in my community. 

A lot of times, where there is some bit of shoulder, you will see wash outs in those areas. 

However, two of biggest concerns on the 329 is the safety of children being walked to the Cannery Beach for recreation. I’ve witnessed these daycare employees trying to safely maneuver children and strollers, coming down the Fox Point Back Road, with not enough shoulder to safely walk for one person. And these daycare providers are trying to look out for the safety of these children..some of them are young enough for strollers. 

Think of the snake turns, with barely any shoulder, and these workers trying to keep these children safe. Kudos to them for their vigilance of trying to provide safety. 
My other concern in Fox Point Road safety, is the parking issues at the Sailing Club. Personally, I’ve had to try to avoid far too many close calls there. And watch other vehicles experience the same. When there’s an event happening at the Sailing Club, the patrons are using the highway for parking. Which reduces traffic to one lane, for two way moving vehicles. Many times, I’ve had to wait and guess at a time when I thought it may be safe to pass these vehicles ( who are parked on my driving lane ), with a blind crest behind me, and heading into those snake turns. Also directly before the Y which has a stop sign leading to the Fox Point Front Road. 

Too many times, I’ve witnessed vehicles parked up to and surrounding that dangerous Y and into the snake turns of the Back Road. 

Then we have those road ragers behind you , who will continue to blow their horn at you to proceed along. Oftentimes with cars still proceeding down the other lane. And to be frank, some of them behind, being impatient, will pull out and face the oncoming traffic. It’s terrifying, to say the least. 

Solutions for a parking facility at the Sailing Club is sorely needed. As well as the issue of pedestrians crossing the road there. I fear there will be a casualty there.. Let’s not allow that to happen. Let’s have the problem solved before such a tragedy could occur. 

The Sailing Club is a wonderful asset to our community. Yet, let’s do it right, with safety first and foremost. 

There was a time when I used to “ walk the loop “, from Fox Point ( near the old two room schoolhouse) up around the Front Road , through Hubbards and back down the Back Road. Great exercise and beautiful scenery. Not anymore. I feel these roads are totally unsafe to walk on. 

The other issue I have is the stop signs at the end of the Back Road, facing the mall, and the mall stop sign facing Hubbards. No one seems to know who has the right of way at these signs. I actually treat them as a two way stop, but that doesn’t seem to the norm. I wrote to TIR a few YEARS ago requesting advice on these stop signs. 
I’ve never received an answer. 

These are my experiences living in Fox Point with road safety issues. 

I’ve listened to similar stories in Hubbards. We definitely need and deserve resolution to the many safety issues in these communities. 

Let’s keep our citizens safe!