[Vision2020] With gas at $2.50 a gallon it is time tocutCrosswalknumbers

[cynthia nichols]

Dick,
You said, "Pedestrians cross the road to get to the other side but they 
need to do a little planning before they go so they don't stop my 
3,500# Taurus. If they don't hustle when they cross I will blow my horn 
and start moving ahead. ;-))"

When one takes a driver's test to get an Idaho driver's license, 
usually he/she studies the vehicle code which states that cars must 
yield to pedestrians at marked and UNmarked crosswalks. It seems to me 
that even if the city removes crosswalks, you'd still have to stop for 
a person who is crossing at an intersection. A crosswalk is really just 
a way of helping drivers notice pedestrians. I walk all over Moscow and 
use the crosswalks to cross. When I first moved here 3 years ago, 
people graciously stopped, left lots of time for me to cross, even on 
the highways. It is not so easy to cross now. People who know the law 
and respect it still stop. I am grateful to them. But try crossing 
Washington at  the police station! It's not easy.  I attribute that to 
a greater degree of  an "I'm more important than you are (I'm in a 
hurry), (I need to save 4¢ gas)" attitude in recent years. Something's 
happened to Moscow in 3 years for some people to become so much less 
courteous (hmmm). When I hear people talk about drivers' disrespect of 
pedestrians "back east" I wonder, are they advocating that we become 
more like Philly? Is that what we really want? I don't.

I hope that you and the city council come to  realize that crosswalks 
are NOT a problem .
Furthermore, if I am in a crosswalk and you don't stop your 3500# 
Taurus and end up hitting me, I authorize my husband to sue you for the 
maximum amount he can get.   ;-))   Wouldn't it be more prudent for you 
to brake for me?

Cynthia Nichols

PS-Because I walk so much, I fill up my tank only once a month or so. 
You might try combining your Winco trip with a few other errands and 
take streets other than 3rd. I've only lived here 3 years and I know 
lots of routes. It's a gorgeous little town and I drive slowly through 
pretty neighborhoods when I drive, noticing the beauty as I go.

PPS-I am a first time contributor to this list. I have begun writing 
many replies but it really takes a brave person to add to this list if 
they have a dissident view--and I realize that this e-mail may generate 
a lot of vitriol. I may have to unsubscribe.

On Apr 12, 2005, at 7:08 AM, Dick Schmidt wrote:

> Pedestrians cross the road to get to the other side but they need to 
> do a little planning before they go so they don't stop my 3,500# 
> Taurus. If they don't hustle when they cross I will blow my horn and 
> start moving ahead. ;-))