I try to be extra cautious when I am driving near parks and playgrounds, because I know that children can be unpredictable.
A friendly game of catch can throw a child into harm's way in the blink of an eye.
But I am horrified to see small children riding their bicycles in the street with the flow of automobile traffic when there are sidewalks. Is this really a law?
Also, I don't understand why some pedestrians choose to walk or jog in the road. I can't tell you how many times I have had to slow to a dead halt for a jogger, not on the shoulder of the road, but on the road - actually in the road. It's baffling.
It seems like a no-brainer, yet for some reason teenaged boys just love to saunter down that yellow line.
And this isn't me being prejudiced against teenagers; this is me being mildly observant of the idiotic behavior that I have witnessed over and over again.
A 3,000-pound car will put a serious hurtin' on a pedestrian upon impact, not to mention the danger these situations create for the motorist.
That said, I am not putting all of the responsibility on pedestrians. Motorists can be every bit as ludicrous.
I go to the YMCA at least twice a week and all too frequently there are cars zooming past children in the crosswalk. Granted, there are plenty of children who will just dart carelessly out into the road.
But these children are legally crossing the street, sometimes hopping off a school bus. If a big yellow school bus doesn't scream “slow the heck down, buddy,” then I'm at my wit's end.
I love the nice weather. I love to see people out enjoying the nice weather. But when the windows are down and the radio is blasting, it's hard to be alert.
Likewise, when pedestrians and cyclists are tuned into their iPods, it creates a dangerous situation for everyone involved.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans 1-34 years old.
And if you aren't a bleeding heart for sad statistics, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that the cost of crashes exceeds $230 billion annually.
It's true that accidents are inevitable, but tragedies are all too often the result of human carelessness. Pay attention, whether you're behind the wheel or on your feet.
Do your part to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable spring and summer.
Estabrook's columns appear
Mondays in The Citizen
and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
But I am horrified to see small children riding their bicycles in the street with the flow of automobile traffic when there are sidewalks. Is this really a law?
Also, I don't understand why some pedestrians choose to walk or jog in the road. I can't tell you how many times I have had to slow to a dead halt for a jogger, not on the shoulder of the road, but on the road - actually in the road. It's baffling.
It seems like a no-brainer, yet for some reason teenaged boys just love to saunter down that yellow line.
And this isn't me being prejudiced against teenagers; this is me being mildly observant of the idiotic behavior that I have witnessed over and over again.
A 3,000-pound car will put a serious hurtin' on a pedestrian upon impact, not to mention the danger these situations create for the motorist.
That said, I am not putting all of the responsibility on pedestrians. Motorists can be every bit as ludicrous.
I go to the YMCA at least twice a week and all too frequently there are cars zooming past children in the crosswalk. Granted, there are plenty of children who will just dart carelessly out into the road.
But these children are legally crossing the street, sometimes hopping off a school bus. If a big yellow school bus doesn't scream “slow the heck down, buddy,” then I'm at my wit's end.
I love the nice weather. I love to see people out enjoying the nice weather. But when the windows are down and the radio is blasting, it's hard to be alert.
Likewise, when pedestrians and cyclists are tuned into their iPods, it creates a dangerous situation for everyone involved.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death among Americans 1-34 years old.
And if you aren't a bleeding heart for sad statistics, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that the cost of crashes exceeds $230 billion annually.
It's true that accidents are inevitable, but tragedies are all too often the result of human carelessness. Pay attention, whether you're behind the wheel or on your feet.
Do your part to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable spring and summer.
Estabrook's columns appear
Mondays in The Citizen
and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com
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Post your comment - click hereThere are 10 comment(s)
sick of it wrote on Apr 19, 2009 8:00 PM:
brew1234 wrote on Apr 18, 2009 1:06 AM:
thinksensibly wrote on Apr 16, 2009 1:28 PM:
daydreamer wrote on Apr 16, 2009 8:05 AM:
daydreamer wrote on Apr 15, 2009 7:15 AM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:15 PM:
Farmer's Gal wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:15 PM:
I often want to stop my car, get out, and YELL at the doofuses I see running by the side of the road, with their feet kicking out to the sides, their arms hampered from proper FORWARD movement either back-n-forth across their bodies or all together by those dumb music thingees they are carrying in one hand, making them lopsided. Or they are trudging with tiny steps or bobbing heads.
A smooth, straight line, all movement forward, never side-to-side (are you trying to run back and forth? NO! So don't be wasting effort and movement that way!), moderately long strides (except up a steep hill, where you shorten your stride and use your arms to drive you upwards) -- your head should be level, not up and down, not a lot of wasted effort bobbing around and for goodness sake -- GET A DECENT BRA! Bounce is not only counter-productive of your running, but you will also sag prematurely and only the most prurient observers will think you look absurd. Ladies, this is one of those times when flat-chested is better than busty, but if you aren't lucky enough to be blessed with less, at least strap them down.
Maybe I should have been a track coach.... "
daydreamer wrote on Apr 14, 2009 7:23 AM:
drivebytrucker wrote on Apr 13, 2009 10:50 PM:
It doesn't mean what you want it to mean in your story, here. "
showpeople wrote on Apr 13, 2009 3:11 PM:
Bearing down on him was a motorist with IPod also in his ears. Holding a cell phone and reaching down to get something on the seat next to him...looking the other way. It was just luck that he noticed the cyclist, just in time to swerve away from him. And the kids! I am sure all of us have had their quesy moments watching the kids run across the street without looking. Guess I am getting WAY too old.
It's dangerous out there folks. Be alert. "