Letter to the Editor: Unimproved Streets Dangerous for Pedestrians

To the editor:

Recently, on a drive to the South Sound, I intersected a major state highway and saw three teenagers walking along the shoulder. They were on the right side of the road, walking in the same direction as traffic and ignoring the vehicles turning into the lane beside them as well as the rapidly moving traffic approaching them from behind. 

I wanted to stop, point out the dangers and suggest moving to the other side of the road, but cooler heads in the car, sensing that a strange man leaping out of his car while commencing a lecture on road safety might not enhance the teenagers’ afternoon (or teach them a long-lasting lesson), suggested I continue on.  Grousing a bit and remarking on the absence of an adequate shoulder, I complied.

When I was young (about two centuries ago) I attended Lake City Elementary school, an edifice currently in use as a business center. I clearly recall, year after year and class after class constant reminders, in an effort to preserve our safety, to walk on the roads facing traffic. Much like Pavlov’s canine companion this learned behavior became so ingrained in my psyche (and at such a young age) that I am now automatically offended when I see pedestrians walking in the same direction as traffic. Somehow they must feel quite comfortable with the ability of any approaching driver to operate a motor vehicle…unfortunately I don’t.

Upon giving this more thought I realized that being a pedestrian on the side of the road has actually become more dangerous than in the days when I was growing up. The cars and drivers of today are outfitted with all types of media; music in a variety of formats, mobile phones, texts and navigation all displayed in a very attractive (and very distracting) manner in handheld and in-dash devices. We have all made mistakes when driving, from bright sun suddenly shining  in our eyes, to a distraction from a child, a phone or a myriad of other minor events. During these moments, the sometimes the last clear chance to avoid a disaster resides with the pedestrians’ evasive leap into the bushes. If the pedestrian is not viewing the oncoming traffic, the opportunity for safety (and a close relationship with a blackberry bush) is lost.

It is interesting to note that my early years of public school also taught me to crawl under my desk in the event of nuclear attack. As a young adult, when there was more information on true devastation a nuclear attack would cause, I decided it might be best to unlearn this particular lesson. So, while the urge to crawl under the desk in this instance has become as laughable as I would look attempting this feat, the one principal: “walk on the left facing traffic” remains unshakable.

For the most part I do agree with the adage that “everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten.” As most of what you learn in your early years; sharing, being respectful of others, the importance of a good nap and of course walking the opposite direction of traffic, really are lessons to live by.

In all seriousness it is very disconcerting to see adults walking on the edge of the street on the right. Granted if you grew up in or are visiting from a country where the custom is to drive on the left (if you can believe THAT) it is understandable that the conversion would take some time. But the tragedy lies with the children, walking under the guidance of adults, who are inadvertently teaching them to walk with their back to the traffic.

Driving a few blocks from my house I recently noticed a senior gentleman (such as myself) strolling in the road holding the hand of a young child. The two were on the left hand side, walking towards oncoming traffic with child on the left next to the shoulder. Picture perfect. I drove serenely on knowing everything was right in the world. I’m positive  he is a graduate of Lake City Elementary and that he also has an intimate relationship with the underside of his desk.

Keep safe, but more importantly, keep the children safe.

Don Ellis

Kenmore