Pedestrians must show common sense
Regarding “Pedestrian safety must start from ground up” (Page L-1, March 1):
My route home from work often takes me through Ridgewood, and it is a white-knuckle driving experience after the sun goes down. Pedestrians dart out from between parked cars, cross at unmarked crosswalks and give no indication of planning to cross until a car is practically on top of them.
Many also wear dark clothing that makes them difficult to see. Combine these dark-clad wraithlike figures with the blinding quality of today’s headlights, and it’s a wonder the number of pedestrian deaths isn’t higher.
I’m all for yielding to pedestrians, but one would think that when faced with a multiple-ton vehicle, hedging your bets is just not a great idea. I realize that “look both ways,” as I was taught as a child, no longer works on the congested roads of today. But I would ask that pedestrians please be sensible. Don’t jaywalk. Don’t assume cars will stop. Don’t use your baby in a stroller as a human shield. Verify that drivers can see you before crossing.
A little courtesy both ways could help pedestrians and drivers.
Jill Cozzi
Washington Township, March 2
