This is in response to Paul Presler’s Jan. 20 letter, “Travel unsafe under dim street lights.” Pedestrians need to be responsible for their own safety and not depend on drivers who are often speeding and distracted by cellphones, coffee, radios, make up and cigarettes.
I walk in the a.m. and have seen all of this and have been grazed by cars. I have been in crosswalks and drivers have attempted to push me out of the way, gunning their engines while stopped. You could put all the lights you want on the streets; drivers will still knock down pedestrians because pedestrians are a nuisance to impatient drivers. I see pedestrians walking in the dark with their backs to traffic, wearing dark clothing, with no safety clothes (reflective vests) or flashlights. Apparently schools no longer teach safety. I see track students running on very busy roads with no safety clothing, with their backs to traffic.
Wear reflective clothes, carry flashlights, and always assume that the car you see, or the one behind you, is going to hit you. Never assume you’re safe in a crosswalk or that a driver can see you.
Dave Clark
VANCOUVER
