There is a lot of talk lately about drivers going through crosswalks and likely, in many cases, rightly so.
But I have a problem with the lack of responsibility I see in pedestrians who seem to think they have impunity just because they are on foot. Numerous times, I’ve seen people at a crosswalk hoof it away from the curb without pushing the amber light button and often they jog across a crosswalk without pausing to cast even a glance at traffic either way.
Numerous ones are staring at a phone while they walk. A lot of bicycle riders fly through without a care and disregard for the amber light button.
On a scale of one to 10, I’d say the number of people using the button provided to activate the amber light sits at three on a good day.
It isn’t reasonable (and it’s also illegal) to expect drivers to stop a heavy vehicle all of a sudden just because someone chooses to dash in front of it.
Too often the white bars on the pavement are worn away as well and provide no indication there is even a crosswalk there. The city needs to realize not all drivers live here, some come from elsewhere and aren’t familiar with their lack of attention in this area.
On the P.E.I. government's “Rules of The Road” website, I could find no rule for actual crosswalks (except those at intersections). You can Google it for yourself.
So, I have to assume some of the same logic must apply to crosswalks other than those at intersections.
Here's how the website reads, and I quote: “Whenever a pedestrian enters the crosswalk with a ‘walk’ or green signal light, the pedestrian has the right-of-way … A pedestrian must not leave the curb and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that a driver cannot safely yield the right-of-way … Pedestrians should remember that drivers are not required to … stop for a flashing amber light ... a pedestrian should exercise extra care and be on guard against drivers who may not be prepared to stop.”
It is my opinion that many pedestrians use the same kind of logic they use with their doctor. In as much as they feel the doctor should solve their every problem, they fail to take personal care of their own health and then blame the doctor for being incompetent.
It’s very common and shifts the blame away from them in the same way as drivers are getting all the blame at these crosswalks when, in fact, many pedestrians need to take responsibility for their own safety.
People who travel on foot regularly should also wear white clothing or reflective material that shows them up in headlights. But most don’t.
I believe most people have little idea of the rules of the road as they apply to them, and it's my opinion a short course wouldn't hurt many of them.
Bruce MacEwen is a Charlottetown, P.E.I., resident.
