Arizona lawmaker asks that crosswalks, lights be installed where British couple was killed
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is asking Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer to act “as quickly as possible” to improve the safety of a Tombstone street where a British couple recently was killed.
In a letter to Brewer, Giffords cited the Oct. 19 deaths of Arthur and Winifred Wilkinson as a reason to install a crosswalk and lighting.
Giffords, whose 8th Congressional District includes Tombstone, noted there have been five fatalities in 10 years as pedestrians tried to cross State Highway 80 where it passes through the center of the historic western town.
The Arizona Department of Transportation conducted two studies at the city’s request – one in 2001 and the other in 2004 – to determine if safety improvements were needed. Both times the state said a crosswalk was not justified.
“Tombstone, known internationally as ‘The Town Too Tough to Die,’ must not become known as a place where tourists and residents risk their lives when they cross the street,” Giffords wrote to Brewer.
A copy of Giffords’ letter is below.
November 19, 2009
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Governor of Arizona
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
Dear Governor Brewer:
Like many Arizonans, I was saddened to learn of the recent deaths of a British couple who were hit by a car and killed as they crossed State Highway 80 where it passes through the center of Tombstone. I am writing to ask for your assistance to help prevent future fatal accidents on this very busy street.
The tragic accident that took the lives of Arthur and Winifred Wilkinson on October 19 underscores the need to improve pedestrian safety in one of our state’s most famous tourist destinations. I believe that these improvements should include a crosswalk and lighting.
According to the Tombstone Marshall’s office, there have been five fatalities in 10 years in the City on Highway 80. In June 2001, the Tombstone City Council passed a resolution asking the Arizona Department of Transportation to place signs and crosswalks at the intersection. Unfortunately, the resolution did not result in action from the state.
It is impossible to know if a crosswalk or lighting would have prevented the Wilkinson’s deaths. We do know, however, that they were killed after dark in an unlit section of the highway where there was no crosswalk.
After the accident, an Arizona Department of Transportation spokeswoman was quoted in news reports as saying that the agency, at the City’s request, had conducted two studies about whether to put a crosswalk across the highway. Both times, in 2001 and 2004, the department decided that a crosswalk was not needed. I am requesting that the Department re-evaluate its decision. Pedestrian safety on Arizona 80 in Tombstone is a very serious problem that the state should move quickly to address to protect visitors and residents alike.
When my staff met recently in Washington, D.C., with John S. Halikowski, Director of the Arizona Department of Transportation, they raised this issue. Mr. Halikowski and his staff said a pedestrian safety study will soon be started and would be completed early next year. The department then intends to present its recommendations to Tombstone’s Mayor and City Council.
While I appreciate Mr. Halikowski’s decision to conduct another study, I am concerned with the length of time this would require. Since two studies have already been conducted, could we not use them to reach a decision on how to respond to this dangerous traffic situation?
Tourism is the primary industry in Tombstone, drawing more than 400,000 people per year, including a sizeable number of the 13 million international visitors who came to Arizona last year. Because of Tombstone’s international reputation as a tourism destination, the deaths of Arthur and Winifred Wilkinson have been reported around the world. The Daily Mail in London reported that the couple was killed “during their annual Wild West pilgrimage to Tombstone, Arizona.” And the Blackpool Gazette near the Wilkinsons’ hometown reported the couple’s death while they were “on holiday in the historic Wild West town of Tombstone, Arizona.” The deaths also have been reported in Taiwan and elsewhere.
Tombstone, known internationally as “The Town Too Tough to Die,” must not become known as a place where tourists and residents risk their lives when they cross the street.
I urge you to move as quickly as possible in having the Department of Transportation implement new pedestrian safety measures, including crosswalks and lighting, on Highway 80 as it passes through Tombstone.
Sincerely Yours,
Gabrielle Giffords
Member of Congress