Re: “Lawmakers must intervene to reduce deaths on roads” [Dec. 22, Opinion]:
This fascinating editorial talked about many issues which are being labored on or could possibly be finished to scale back deaths as a consequence of vehicles. However there was not one point out of the accountability of pedestrians or bicyclists.
Whereas driving I’ve by no means hit a pedestrian however have come shut sufficient that I used to be very involved. Pedestrians carrying darkish clothes crossing in the course of the block in darkness and rain are certain to get hit periodically. Particularly after they don’t look earlier than crossing.
Drivers should cease for pedestrians at intersections. However “each pedestrian … crossing a roadway at any level aside from inside a marked crosswalk or inside an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the appropriate of strategy to all autos upon the roadway.” (RCW 46.61.240).
“Cease, look and pay attention earlier than you cross the road”: That was drilled into each little one’s head once I was a child.
If authorities is to get entangled in lowering pedestrian deaths, I recommend authorities have a marketing campaign to teach pedestrians about security and maintain pedestrians accountable for his or her actions within the streets.
Invoice Huenefeld, Seattle