Recommendation for pedestrians

Although I’m not an avid pedestrian, I’ve lost count of the occasions I have nearly been struck by vehicles veering around corners either at enormous speed, looking only in the other direction of oncoming traffic or both.

The other day, I was about to step off the curb after the walk light appeared and, thankfully, hesitated anticipating the speed at which the green car with the male driver and female sitting in the back seat was approaching the intersection. Unbeknownst to this driver, if I had not been a defensive pedestrian, both our destinations would have changed drastically.

Unfortunately, the withered flowers attached to the yield sign on the meridian are not enough of a reminder that a pedestrian lost their life there not that long ago.

For all those griping about jaywalkers and absent-minded pedestrians who unsafely cross the streets, I’m with you. They are not always innocent bystanders.

For example, the three women that stopped traffic to carry a stroller across the street when there was a crosswalk 50 feet away. They are putting lives at risk. The issue is with drivers of all ages, male and female, not paying attention to their surroundings while behind the wheel, so my recommendation...an air horn! They’re not exactly pocket size, but worth the extra weight and a mere $20 that could make all the difference.

If a human body isn’t going to stand out enough for an inattentive driver, an obnoxiously deafening horn certainly will.

Safe driving and walking!


Stacey Leahy