FAYETTEVILLE — It happens on our way to work every day. We're driving down Maple Street along the University of Arkansas campus in the earlymorning hours when a young person dressed in smart attire (other days in pajamas) uses a nearby crosswalk to - huge surprise here - cross the street. Half the time these young people are clearly attentive before stepping in front of traffic. A small minority even wave their thanks. We drivers appreciate the gesture.
But in terms of protecting themselves, many couldn't be more thoughtless. Busy with their cell phones, they'll barge into a crosswalk without bothering to give even a cursory glance toward traffic. Others are busy laughing when they forget to glance this way and that. Hands stuffed in their pockets and their heads pointed down, others seem totally lost in thought. They don't look, either.
Fortunately, these everyday occurrences rarely result in a collision. Drivers are generally well-trained through experience to know where the crosswalks are and, living in a university town, are well aware of the dangers. But the accidents still come, and it takes only one time to be serious.
Pedestrians aren't wrapped tightly inside a hulking bit of metal. Dodging cars is the best they can hope for. So don't be a jerk. Slow down.
The troublesome thing is that accidents happen even for good drivers. A distraction of any kind can so easily occur. All it takes is once for serious injury or death to be the outcome.
So pretty please, with sugar on top, look both ways before crossing the road. It's better for you, and it's better for all the drivers who have no desire to be part of a tragedy.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 09/30/2009