70 Mile Yard Sale organizers worry about pedestrian, traffic safety

70 Mile Yard Sale organizers worry about pedestrian, traffic safety

The number of vendors almost doubled at the 2016 sale

As the popularity of the 70-Mile Yard Sale grows, concerns are being raised about safety during the two-day giant yard sale.

This year’s sale — which snaked around southeastern P.E.I. from Wood Islands, through Murray Harbour and Murray River and back, from Cardigan to Caledonia and Iona, including many side roads — almost doubled the number of vendors this year.

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“It’s becoming the perfect storm there’s so much traffic and there’s so much distraction,” said Alesia Napier, owner of the Magik Dragon in Murray River.

“People are driving and looking for potential sales that aren’t listed on their map and they’re stopping short, and pedestrians who aren’t looking both ways because they’re excited about something and they start to cross the road.”

Audrey Shillabeer, an organizer with the 70 Mile Yard Sale, also has concerns.

Shillabeer said there was a near miss last year on the loop at Wood Islands where a pedestrian was almost hit, so they closed the loop at that site this year.

She said the sale puts out a lot of reminders to potential shoppers about safety, and vendors who register also get a letter that includes tips.

Organizers have been encouraging the establishment community sites, places like churches, where vendors can set up away from the highway.

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With files from Laura Chapin