SAFETY FIRST—New flashing lights at intersections on T.O. Boulevard will alert drivers to pedestrians crossing the street. In May four people were hit by a van in an intersection on the boulevard. RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers New lights were installed at two crosswalks on Thousand Oaks Boulevard last week, including the intersection where a mother and three young girls were hit by a van in May.

Rectangular rapid flashing beacon lights were placed at T.O. Boulevard and Live Oak Street on Aug. 7, said city traffic engineer John Helliwell.

The same lights were installed at T.O. Boulevard and Oakview Drive the next day, he said.

The rapid-flashing lights are activated when pedestrians about to cross the street push a button.

Each project cost $9,000, which includes the price for labor, Helliwell said.

Public Works Director Jay Spurgin said the lights were ordered before the May 22 accident that injured T.O. resident Griselda Castro, her 4 and 5-year-old daughters and a 5-year-old friend. The four were in the crosswalk on T.O. Boulevard at Live Oak when they were struck by a van, leaving Castro and her older daughter in critical condition.

“Before the accident had occurred, through research and keeping abreast of technology, we went ahead and ordered some new flashing strobe lights,” Spurgin said.

The director said the additions are brighter than the lights they replaced.

There are no other plans for safety improvements at the accident site, Spurgin said.

“(The intersection) wouldn’t warrant stoplights in terms of pedestrian and traffic volumes. We analyze where it goes,” Spurgin said. “If you put a stop sign where it’s not warranted it increases rear-end collisions.”

—Anna Bitong