70 Mile Yard Sale organizers worry about pedestrian, traffic safety

As the popularity of the70-MileYard Sale grows, concerns are being raised about safety during the two-day giant yard sale.

This year's salewhich snaked around southeastern P.E.I. from Wood Islands, through Murray Harbour and Murray River and back, from Cardigan to Caledonia andIona,including many sideroadsalmost 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 AlesiaNapier, 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'restopping short, and pedestrians who aren't looking both waysbecause they'reexcited 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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