So I thought maybe I would go out on a little bit of a tangent and speak about something that has been irking me for the past year. Before I begin my rant, I thought I would present some links to bolster my argument for a pattern here, here, and here… hell just look here. Pedestrians and bicyclers are dropping like flies and I think I know what may be playing a role in at least some of these tragedies. Whether in front of the grocery store, walking a dog in the neighborhood, training for a marathon, or crossing a major eight lane intersection, I feel that many have lost the last bit of a survival instincts that exists in the domesticated human.
It baffles me when I see a person put their life in the hands of a stranger and trust that the operator of the vehicle is completely coherent and in control of their vehicle. Sitting in my car I have witnessed more times than not, people cross major intersections lazily without looking up at traffic to make sure no cars are coming. Last November I was a passenger in a car accident where the vehicle I was in was T-boned by a driver that made the statement of being unaware what color the traffic light was when he drove through the intersection and hit the car on my side totaling the vehicle I was occupying.
While the driver that hit our car was in the wrong, I live in Florida which is a no fault state. Meaning unless there is obvious bodily harm necessitating an ambulance, no citation is issued. The other driver acknowledged his fault but regardless of whose fault it was; If I had been a pedestrian following the rules of the road, I would have been KILLED. When a person is dead or permanently disabled, it doesn’t really matter who had the right of way, no amount of money will get your life back or give you the ability to hug your child again.
So in closing, I urge you to asess your comfort on the streets and reconnect with your instincts. Don’t let an awful situation or close call motivate you.
