vision2020@moscow.com: pedestrian safety

pedestrian safety

John Danahy (JDANAHY@turbonet.com)
Fri, 22 Aug 97 12:04:46 PDT

Thursday evening around eight oclock a ten year old boy and his brother
were at the south east corner of Third and Monroe. The boys were
attempting to cross Third to play in East City Park. A westbound car,
farthest from them, stopped to let them cross. A eastbound car did not
stop. One boy stepped off the curb and into the passing eastbound car. He
was lucky. Bruises will heal.

This city claims to be a pedestrian safe city, yet if you are standing on
the sidewalk at a crosswalk, cars are not required to stop. Some do and
some don't. I have been in similar situations and had civilian cars stop
to let me cross only to have a city police car continue thru the
intersection.

Third street here is narrowed by parked cars, and faster than it should be
due to the design of the road. School is starting soon and hundreds of
children are going to be walking to school, crossing streets, and not
always paying attention.

I would like to suggest that the city look again at its laws regarding
crosswalks. The current situation only invites a continued game of chiken.
I would also like the city to look hard at Third street, especially
looking at eliminating parking.

John Danahy
jdanahy@turbonet.com


This archive courtesy of:
First Step Internet