[Vision2020] one injured in crossing

[deb]

MessageI sympathize with Matt on the pedestrians (Laws of physics be damned, kids. Just walk on out into the street, headphones on a telephone conversation  in progress...If you die from it, it won't be your fault, 'cause pedestrians have the right of way. You'll be dead, but, hey, you had the right of way....), and on the bicyclers who can't decide if they are traffic or pedestrians. 

However, I must take fault with him on his note to bikers about "if you must congest streets".  For the most part, they ARE traffic, and with the current economic situation, those fortunate enough to be able to drive a car need to be aware of those with the foresight and fortitude to ride bicycles for transportation (sadly, I'm not one of them....) Bicylers should obey traffic laws. They aren't traffic hazzards unless they are too inexperienced to ride bikes in town. That's not the case for 90% of the Palouse bikers!
Debi R-S
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Matt Decker 
  To: Saundra Lund ; vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2008 7:55 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] one injured in crossing


  Yes thank you. We can spend thousands if not millions for a crosswalk and stoplight at every intersection, but it will not solve idiots crossing whenever they wish. I am sick and tired of pedestrians and bikers doing as they please, then blaming the driver who just hit them, when they were at fault.


  Two years ago I hit an idiot who thought he could wear headphones and not use a crosswalk. This smuck decides that he can cross without even looking and what do you know, I smack him with my passenger side mirror. After I stop and he gathers what just happened, I jump out, throw my hands in the air(like WTF are you doing), he just walks off like it was a daily event. No respect to others or himself.

  No doubt, drivers need to keep their eyes open at all times. We all could slow down and stop for the person trying to cross the street. On the flip note, If I am a pedestrian, I will make darn sure the street is clear before I cross it. The old rule of thumb, look twice then cross, pops into mind.

  Bikers!!!!! QUIT moving from sidewalk to street then back to sidewalk. If you feel you must congest the streets, then follow the rules. Use hand signals, don't weave, and understand drivers don't know what your next move is. 

  Adding stop lights and crosswalks won't solve it. Prevention will. Teach our youth to respect cars. Cars own the road not bikers and pedestrians. Learn it, live it, teach it.

  matt


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  Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:48:22 -0700
  From: sslund_2007 at verizon.net
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] one injured in crossing


  That crossing is definitely a problem, but I’m not sure a pedestrian bridge would resolve the problem of MORONIC students crossing the highway.  I don’t mean to be contrary, but . . . 



  Yesterday afternoon, I was on the highway headed east.  There were students in the crosswalk . . . yet during the time I was stopped, three separate IDIOTS crossed from campus further east of the crosswalk.  The first almost got hit by cars heading west, presumably because the drivers were focused on/distracted by activation of the crosswalk flashing lights and didn’t expect to see a pedestrian strolling across the highway a fair distance before the crosswalk.



  I see that kind of thing – students being too lazy to cross safely -- happen regularly, and I think the miracle is that we’ve not seen more tragedy.



  OTOH, a expensive pedestrian bridge would provide a safe crossing for those with the BRAINS to use it.



  I don’t know what a good solution would be, but perhaps having some concentrated pedestrian enforcement at strategic times would help?  Perhaps if word got out among the students that not crossing safely was going to cut into their beer budgets, it would make that stretch of highway safer for all of us?  Has that approach been tried?





  Saundra Lund

  Moscow, ID



  The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

  ~ Edmund Burke



  ***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through life plus 70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the author.*****





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