These streets?

I occasionally get a bit nitpicky about statements people make. (Of course, they return the favor when I write in to the newspaper).

Richard Ciasca of Glendale recently wrote a letter to the GNP commenting on the city's pedestrian deaths noting, "Take a drive or, if you dare, a walk around this town. You'll never hear the song, 'These streets are made for walking.'"

OF COURSE Mr. Ciasca. That's because there is no such song as "These streets are made for walking." Its boots that are made for walking.

He also says, "We can't prohibit pedestrians from doing what they do. We can, however, make their walk, stroll or run a lot safer."

Agreed. People should be much more careful when they drive! Speeding, watching something on your cool tv screens (why do you have tv's in your car to begin with?)... etc, all create a dangerous situation for pedestrians.

But, people should also watch out for themselves! Glendale is a relatively safe community and people, on occasion, forget to look out for themselves. In both Boston and Berkeley, the two cities outside of Glendale where I've spent the most time, cars and pedestrians battle it out. In Boston, it sometimes seems like cars speed up when they see pedestrians... its as if they're trying to hit us.

So, those of us who value our lives, take care to not jump out in front of cars. When we see a car coming, we run. We don't stroll across a street in the middle of the night assuming that all cars from any direction will see us and stop.

Even though "pedestrians have the right of way" - the truth is that we all share the road. Its simple consideration. On more than one occasion, I have seen young people take so long crossing the street that the elderly people in walkers pass them. One individual wearing all black decided to cross the street in the middle of the night (no crosswalk) without pausing to make sure I had seen him. Where is the common sense in that?

People on both ends need to begin using their head. The government and police can't be everywhere all the time. I know... I know... sometimes that bastard almost runs you over and you really wish the officer was there to have given him a ticket but your life is more valuable than that ticket. So, stop counting on other people to protect you. Those days of "holding hands and crossing the street" with your kindergarten class are over. You're a big kid now....