© René Pfeiffer / RTL
After a pedestrian was fatally wounded in an accident in Findel in late 2024, concerns about local road safety issues have arisen, with authorities now pledging to install better lighting in the area near the 'Winter Action' building that houses homeless people during the cold winter months.
The promised improvements will focus on a specific zebra crossing, located near the 'Gréiwelscheierhaff' bus stop, which is frequently used by those heading to the 'Winter Action' homeless shelter. The victim in the December accident was a homeless man, who was struck by a car while taking the zebra crossing on Route de Trèves, close to the emergency winter shelter.
The crossing is poorly lit, which limits pedestrians' visibility. The National Roads Administration acknowledges that this is problematic from a safety standpoint and is working to address the issue by increasing illumination. "With better lighting", says Administration director Roland Fox, "we hope to alert drivers from a distance but also increase pedestrians' visibility. We have also increased signals to alert drivers in advance about the pedestrian crossing."
The installation of traffic lights at the site is currently not being planned, Fox notes, as the crossing is outside an urban area. "We don't think of the pedestrian crossing to be ideal, especially if pedestrians have priority over vehicles that may be travelling up to 90 kilometres an hour", he adds.
Alexandra Oxacelay, director of the NGO 'Voice of the Street', emphasised the need for improvements in traffic safety near emergency and support facilities, including Abrigado in Bonnevoie: "I look at the state of Abrigado, for example, and find it heartbreaking. People cross the road without looking, and drivers don't pay attention either, which is extremely dangerous. It's a miracle that no accidents have occurred there yet."
The NGO 'Triangle', which oversees the Winter Action, declined an interview but announced in a written response that efforts are being made to prevent such accidents in the future. These include shuttle services, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with partners such as the police and the Mobility Ministry.
