I haven’t go on about pedestrian safety in some time, and when I first read the headline in the Express-Times that an 86 year old woman was hit crossing South New to attend a program at Alexandria Manor, I found myself an opening (read the article here), but not as good of one as I first thought.
In reading the article and looking at the photo, it appears the woman did not cross at an intersection (though she could have crossed at the alley running perpendicular to South New and south of Alexandria Manor), but instead in-front of the entranceway.
I often walk South New from our home to the schools, Library, Arts Center and other locations in town, and while this cuts down considerably in the winter time, I think two of the worst intersections in town for pedestrians that aren’t controlled by a stop light are South New and Tatamy Road/E. Walnut Street and South New and Center Street (Prospect at Broad and Main are tough ones as well). With regularity, cars traveling south on North New making a right at the library, barely bump the brakes let alone stop. Similarly cars traveling east on Tatamy Road either stop too far back at S. New and don’t see that other cars or people are there or they roll through.
So instead of complaining too much, just a little reminder to be aware of, and friendly toward pedestrians, you can do this by allowing them to cross and waiting until they fully crossed the street and are on the sidewalk before driving through.
When spring comes (and soon I hope) and more people are out and about enjoying the restaurants and entertainment taking place throughout town, it will be even more important to slow down and pay attention as pedestrians can be as inattentive as drivers at times.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the snow everyone!
1 comment:
Unfortunately, many people in Nazareth like to play Frogger in real life. A day doesn't go by when I drive through downtown that a person doesn't cross a main road in the middle of the street and not at the intersections where it is safer.
I understand that it might be a far walk to get to an intersection and back to your destination, but that is a lot better than being bounced off a cars bumper.
My heart goes out to this woman and her family as well as the individual driving the car that hit her.
Take the time, walk to an intersection and spare yourself, your family and a driver the heartache. And look at the bright side, you even get a little exercise thrown in for good measure.
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