To the editor:
Summer is finally here and there are a lot of people out and about. Many are pedestrians. Winter has taken its toll on the lines painted on roads. Some of what I have seen over the past week may be due to crosswalks not being repainted yet. Some may be due to lack of courtesy.
While driving around town I have seen many, many vehicles fail to stop for pedestrians in or about to enter crosswalks. Twice I observed mothers pushing a baby in a stroller waiting to cross and several vehicles kept rolling by. I’ve also seen young mothers holding a child’s hand and seniors waiting as vehicles rolled by. On one occasion when I stopped for a jogger entering a crosswalk the vehicle behind me honked its horn. Maybe they knew the jogger and the honk was a “hello” but I got the impression the honk was one of annoyance at my stopping. On another occasion after I stopped for a family waiting to cross at a crosswalk after several vehicles in front of me drove right by the Mom and Dad waved to me and the Mom shouted out a “thank you.”
Please try to be courteous while driving around town. All life is precious. Please try to show some kindness to God’s children. Watch out for little ones on bicycles, slow walking seniors, joggers, and families out for a stroll.
The consequences of being in a hurry and not exercising care can be devastating. I know. When I was 10 years old I saw my best friend lose his life to a careless driver. Please, please, please do your part to help keep our community safe for pedestrians.
Brian Chapla
Amity
