I was convinced it was a California thing, Dave. Perhaps not.
Back in Connecticut, where I grew up, one seemed to learn that things
weighing tons and your person, when co-mingling, typically didn't work to
your advantage. The "right of way" at crosswalks is a legislative courtesy
or mandate; this can conflict significantly with laws of physics when
personal safety is involved. Then again, there is the "nut behind the wheel"
factor. All of this should conspire to impart a sense of respect for things
larger than you and an accompanying awareness.
The wisdom imparted here in California seems to be that there is an
invisible, protective shield around our bodies that allows us to stupidly
step into traffic and, somehow, the painted lines on the road will protect
us. Therefore, it is not necessary to look left or right, or even look up.
One can read a book, zone out to the music in the earphones, look directly
at one's companion when walking and talking, etc.
It must be a generational thing. I pointed this out to our daughters at a
young age and, hopefully, helped sustain the gene pool. But it's a loosing
battle here in northern Ca.
Ken
"Dave (Sgt. Pepper)" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
>
> "Tommy" <@invalid.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Jeremy Clarkson that ignorant right wing bigot once (just once) said
> > something that might make us think.
> >
> > If instead of bigger and bigger cars (for safety!) you drove a car with
a
> > spike on the steering wheel instead of an airbag people might drive
more
> > carefully and with consideration rather than assume they are going to be
> > safe in an accident
> >
> > Could be why death rates for drivers are coming down whilst death rates
> > amongs cyclists/pedestrians are going up
>
> I'm not familiar with the statistics so I'll give you the benefit of the
> doubt. If death rates amongst cyclists and pedestrians is indeed going
up,
> on the evidence of my own eyes I would have to say they have no-one to
blame
> but themselves. My short drive home from Kingston to Epsom tonight
> demonstrated this very well. Twice I encountered pedestrians using mobile
> phones, oblivious to what was going on around them, step straight off the
> pavement into oncoming traffic without looking at all. At the approach to
> the Ace of Spades roundabout, a cyclist swerved straight across the
traffic
> coming up behind him without even the most cursory glance behind. And
when
> I got to Hook Parade, pedestrians were darting across the road between
fast
> moving cars even though the crossing lights were against them.
>
> I find myself increasingly offering up a prayer that today's journey won't
> end up with some nutter pedestrian or loony cyclist throwing themselves
> under my car, because I know that as the biased laws stand, I'll be
> immediately treated as the guilty party unless I can prove my innocence
> beyond question. And just to rub salt into the wound, I'm the only one
out
> of the three "protagonists" that is paying road tax for the dubious
> privilege of being put under this threat!
> --
> Dave (Sgt. Pepper) Epsom, England
> Nikon D2H / D100 / Coolpix 5700 / Canon Ixus 400 / Paintshop Pro 8
> My photo galleries at http://www.pbase.com/davecq
>
