A few years ago
a good friend of mine was struck in a crosswalk and killed by an inattentive
driver. Now the speed limit on that
street near the university has been dropped to 25 mph. A pedestrian actuated warning with red
blinking lights has been installed there.
Yet only last week, while those warning lights were blinking, another
pedestrian was hit by a driver trying to pick up a dropped cell phone.
People in a
hurry with a lot on their minds and being distracted by electronic gadgets is a
recipe for mistakes.
I avoid campus
as much as I can for that reason, but I sometimes walk there in the winter because
the sidewalks are kept clear of snow.
One morning I was a witness when a young lady crossing the street was struck by a car.
The skid marks
left by the tires were easy to see for days. That pedestrian was taken to the hospital and, fortunately, treated and
released.
This week most
of the students are away because of a semester break so my morning walk went
through campus.
There is also a fine for
driving and texting.
In attempts to
get the attention of distracted people the city has passed several laws against
multitasking while walking and driving.
“Like a train wreck, you’re on a mission.
Tunnel vision got you blinded.
Hmmm there’s even
inflation on jaywalking fines.
I wonder
why an additional $1.50 is listed on the mobile sign.
Better slow down before you lose your
ground.
You’ll miss everything surrounding you.
Stop and just look around.”
“Look Around”
2010 David Archuleta
"I've
walked with very famous people down red carpets over to the crowd of thousands
of people, and you'll reach out to shake their hand and they've got a camera in
their hand. And they don't even get their hand out, because they're recording
the whole time. And you can tell people that you recorded Brad Pitt,
but it would be very hard for you to say you actually met him,
because you were watching it all through your phone.” George Clooney
