FW: [Vision2020] With gas at $2.50 a gallon it is timetocutCrosswalknumbers

Tue Apr 12 12:48:12 PDT 2005

 Visionaries;
I've been reluctant to weigh in on this thread, but here is my two cents on
the subject (sorry, no refunds): whether or nor we reduce the number of
crosswalks emblazoned across the streets of Moscow is irrelevant because
Idaho law (as pointed out by a couple of posters to V2020) requires that
vehicles yield right-of-way to pedestrians regardless of markings or
signage.  The real issue, then, is a matter of common sense and respect (as
pointed out, I think, by Mr. Hansen).  If a pedestrian is in a crossway--or
at its mouth--waiting to cross a street, vehicles should yield to that
pedestrian--not just out of law but out of courtesy.  Likewise, out of a
sense of courtesy (and regard for personal safety) pedestrians should not
dart out into congested lanes of traffic.  Seems, too, that the issue of how
much fuel is saved is negligible when weighed against how many accidents are
avoided by both pedestrians and motorists sharing responsibilities for road
safety.  
--Jennie   

Detective Jennifer L. McFarland
Latah County Sheriff's Office
Public Information Officer
PO Box 8068
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 882-2216
Fax (208) 883-2281

Truth is the summit of being; justice is the application of it to affairs.
***Ralph Waldo Emerson

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Dick Schmidt
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 11:34
To: cynthia nichols
Cc: joann mack; Nancy Chaney; John Dickinison; vision2020 at moscow.com; peg
hamlett; Linda Pall
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] With gas at $2.50 a gallon it is
timetocutCrosswalknumbers

Cynthia,
Welcome!

Folks, I'm looking at the big picture here but you are only seeing across
the street. I'm involved in shipping material from California to Oregon,
Washington, Idaho and Montana. Also from Wisconsin and Minnesota to Montana,
Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Freight is a big part of the cost the products
I sell and every time that truck has to stop it costs money. We have a
government that has absolutely no energy policy and because of it we need to
do things on the local level to conserve energy. What will you do when gas
is $5.00 a gallon. I suggested we start small by eliminating some crosswalks
in Moscow but it seems to upset some people to think they would have to walk
an extra block to be able to cross a 3 lane busy state highway. I would
suspect that all the log and chip haulers and other delivery trucks who have
to travel through Moscow would appreciate not having to stop so often.

Just to set the record straight, Wayne Fox said that "Unless the law has
changed, pedestrians have the right of way at all intersections in all 50
states."
They do in marked crosswalks but most of the pedestrians in other states do
not walk out in front of a car and will wait until traffic clears!

Dick Schmidt

----- Original Message -----
From: "cynthia nichols" <cynthiann0 at mac.com>
To: "Dick Schmidt" <dickschmidt at moscow.com>
Cc: "peg hamlett" <peg_hamlett at msn.com>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>; "joann
mack" <jmack at turbonet.com>; "Nancy Chaney" <nchaney at moscow.com>; "Linda
Pall" <lpall at moscow.com>; "John Dickinison" <johnd at moscow.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2005 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] With gas at $2.50 a gallon it is time
tocutCrosswalknumbers

> 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. ;-))
>
>
> 

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