| Walker Bashing | |
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Cars are king, and drivers have road rage against anything, anyone that gets in their way. The general attitude is that anyone walking is obviously inferior to anyone driving, they lack a ton or more of steel and a chugging engine. They should just get out of the way and keep out of the way.
This is not just an American phenomenon, in fact I think in the US drivers are more aware of and yielding to pedestrians than in most other places worldwide. Having just returned from a trip to Britain and Italy, I found poor or non-existent sidewalks, drivers speeding through lighted crosswalks, cars missing pedestrians by millimeters, all common occurrences.
But - is it safe at the crosswalk? I say no. I saw a car turn right on a red light after a "rolling stop," oblivious to the three teens crossing legally with the WALK light. Only their quick young reflexes kept them from being casualties, as the driver simply didn't even think anyone would be in the crosswalk.
Even worse are intersections where there is a right turn lane, with a green light for the drivers to turn right at the same time walkers have the WALK light to cross the same street. Both think they are in the right and don't expect to meet up with the other.
What should walkers do to be safe?
- Catch the driver's eye when you are crossing at an intersection, especially those looking to turn right on the red light. I have been known to cross a street with the WALK light waving my arms in the air to be seen.
- At stop signs, make doubly sure you have the attention of all stopped cars as you cross the street.
- At driveways the driver is often concentrating on traffic - make sure he/she sees you and knows you are crossing on the sidewalk in front of him/her.
- Wear bright colors by day and reflective clothing and light colors at night.
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