Bad Design

I don't even blame the drivers, thought the signs are pretty clear.

Barrhaven Crossing, 1989. The mall is to the right of this photo.

The strip mall at Barrhaven Crossing, where the train crosses the four-lane Fallowfield Road, has been around for several decades. Even as far back as the late 80s, I remember driving past this place.

I've shopped here when there was a large grocery store and even a Shoppers Drug Mart--both of which are long gone. I used to get my hair cut at a shop here. I've dined at restaurants and taken out Chinese food. And these days, it's where my doctor and her medical team are set up.

But a couple of years ago, the owners of the property have made a few changes to control the traffic. No longer can you drive both ways as you pass the store fronts.

On the western half of the lot, a Do Not Enter sign, complete with an arrow, indicate that you must turn a specific way to exit the parking lot. They even modified the curb, creating a point that helps guide you.

Yet, despite these changes and signs, people still ignore the signs and proceed the wrong way out of this mall.

As I was preparing to leave my doctor's office, I captured someone making the wrong turn, even though the driver was closer to the exit lane when she pulled out of her parking spot.

I don't blame the drivers. It seems natural to take this way, despite the signs and the modified curb. But if you can't follow directions, should you be driving?