Susan would like to remind drivers to be extra cautious while driving on streets without sidewalks.
In the past few weeks I seem to continually be faced with morning drivers who refuse to move over the (non-existent) “center line” in order to allow me and my dogs some room on our daily walk. (I generally observe this on Dayton Av, and to a lesser degree on Evanston and the cross streets.) This is deeply disturbing, as it makes me feel my health and safety, and that of my dogs, is at risk each morning. It may be that regular drivers through the neighborhood are driving no differently than they do in the summer months, but I’m putting in a plea to all drivers to please give pedestrians some room, especially at this time of year, because:
1) We have no sidewalks. I would certainly use them if we did. I would love the safety of a sidewalk — and then I wouldn’t be in your way!
2) On summer/dry days it’s easy for pedestrians to move to what I’ll call the “shoulder” (*if* it’s not occupied by a car/ditch/bush as so many are) but on wet days we would more likely than not be stepping directly into a large pothole-puddle or slick patch of mud if we stepped onto the “shoulder”.
3) I’m sure dog walkers are not the only people experiencing this issue, and it must be a lot worse to be trying to push a stroller and/or walk a young child while avoiding drivers who don’t give way on one side and puddles/mud/parked cars on the other.
4) It’s scary when you don’t!
13 responses so far ↓
1 SPG // Nov 24, 2009 at 10:28 am
Does this mean we don’t have to be careful when we drive down the sidewalk?
2 Karl // Nov 24, 2009 at 12:09 pm
And Peds, please wear reflective clothing. Rainy nights it’s hard for even the most attentive drivers to see pedestrians dressed fashionably in existential black. Don’t assume people can see you.
3 RR // Nov 24, 2009 at 1:02 pm
And, if there IS a sidewalk, peds, please use it!
I wish we had more enforcement of cars who don’t stop at corners for peds.
4 Q // Nov 24, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Note to Peds, crosswalks are the best place to cross the street.
5 heh // Nov 24, 2009 at 3:52 pm
So concerned, but yet you don’t just go over to Green Lake and walk there.
6 Trix // Nov 24, 2009 at 4:37 pm
Heh – I know this may be difficult to believe, but sometimes people walk just to get from point A to point B. Shocking, I know.
7 Norm // Nov 24, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Note to drivers (esp. Q): All intersections are considered crosswalks, even if one is not painted on the street, and all drivers are required to stop to allow pedestrians to cross at them.
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pedrcw.htm
8 Bog Trotter // Nov 24, 2009 at 7:26 pm
I am a driver and dog walker. I do give peds and bicyclists clearance by crossing the center of the road if need be. When walking, my dog and I get all the way off the road for cars-no sense taking chances. I have appropriate footwear for mud and puddles. We need more sidewalks!!
9 Whopper // Nov 24, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Want sidewalks? Move south of 85th!
10 Austin King // Nov 24, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Lots of animosity in the comments against pedestrians, which makes no sense. It’s every transit system’s duty to protect the weaker sub-system
planes -> trains -> bus -> auto -> biker -> ped. We’re all just trying to get on with it in the funnest and more harmonious way we can.
11 Tiktok // Nov 25, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Crazy pedestrians! Don’t they know roads are for cars! Pedestrians shouldn’t be allowed to use the roads unless they get licensed and taxed just like car owners!
12 Susan // Nov 26, 2009 at 8:38 pm
There is a crazy scary amount of hostility here and on the Greenwood Discussion mailing list (particularly there) towards people who are simply trying to walk their dogs before work, their kids to the bus stop, themselves to the bus stop/store/cafe.
13 Patrick // Nov 29, 2009 at 8:53 pm
@Tiktok
I hope your comment was sarcastic, but if not it’s worth noting that gas taxes and auto registration fees cover a fairly small amount of the cost of building and maintaining state & local roads, here in Seattle and all around the country.
Most local streets are paid for by property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes, stuff that pedestrians, bicyclists, and everyone else pays.
Leave a Comment