Pedestrians preferring to cross between vehicles near the shopping mall in Silivri instead of using the crosswalk are creating both safety and traffic flow issues. Locals say a crosswalk and improved traffic lights are needed.
In Silivri, people coming to the shopping mall next to the highway prefer to cross the road between the vehicles instead of using the pedestrian crossing about 30 meters away. This poses a danger to pedestrians and negatively affects traffic flow. Burcu Ekiz, who tried to cross the road, said, "Usually people have urgent things to do. We have a habit of wanting to cross the road directly after leaving the mall. If a pedestrian crossing is built here or the traffic lights are moved a little further forward, we will be much more comfortable."
People coming to the shopping mall on General Ali Türkkan Street, on the D-100 bypass in Silivri, cross the road instead of using the crossing at the traffic lights. Pedestrians, including families with children and strollers, are endangering their own lives and putting drivers in a difficult situation. Vehicles waiting at the traffic lights form long queues because of pedestrians suddenly jumping out onto the road. Meanwhile, ambulances and fire trucks trying to move on the road are stuck in traffic and have difficulty reaching the areas they are dispatched to.
THEY PASSED BETWEEN THE VEHICLES DESPITE POLICE WARNINGS
Due to heavy traffic, traffic teams affiliated to the Silivri District Police Department took precautions in the area. The police tried to both open the traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians. It was observed that some of the pedestrians who were repeatedly directed to the traffic lights by traffic police did not heed the warnings.
A PEDESTRIAN PATH SHOULD BE BUILT
Burcu Ekiz, who was trying to cross the road, said, "When the light on the left turns red, the other side turns green. We can't cross at this time. We have to use one light first and then the other. When people are in a rush, they want to cross directly. If a pedestrian path is built or one of the lights is moved to the front, the problem will be solved. In fact, if a barrier is installed and passage is provided at a certain point, everyone follows the rules." Another pedestrian, Serhat Özcan, said, "There's a serious problem here; a pedestrian crossing absolutely must be built. We're being cautious, but some drivers don't give way. We want the mayor to find a solution."
