Letter: Sudbury drivers need to stop putting pedestrians at risk

Daily, I and many others engage in an activity that puts our safety at risk. It's not the kind of activity that is typically considered high risk. 

It would not, for example, disqualify one from obtaining life insurance. Rather, this is a routine activity that should be safe and mundane: crossing city streets. More specifically, crossing streets at designated crosswalks with the “walk” light. 

Let me repeat, for those who want to put blame on pedestrians instead of irresponsible drivers: I’m referring to using a designated crosswalk and with the ‘walk’ light.

There is no one demographic guilty of endangering lives this way. Some offer an apologetic wave. A few shout "sorry,” as if that makes their negligence OK. (Should I quote the Doctor Who meme and say to those people, "Well, that's alright then”? ). 

In the past three days, I have had two drivers nearly hit me. Both were coming from what should have been a safe distance for me to cross. I can’t see drivers behind me, but they can see me in a well-lit intersection. They can also see the lights changing and should slow down accordingly. But they don’t — until the last minute, when they suddenly “remember” that the yellow figure doesn’t mean “plow down the pedestrian” and stopping is mandatory.

I started this letter lightly, but I am beyond irate. Two times in as many days this has happened. There is no way this is acceptable. 

The city needs better policing and more cameras to catch and ticket offenders. Since drivers don’t care about endangering lives, I can only hope that a threat to their pocketbook will stop them. But such measures shouldn’t be necessary. Drivers need pay attention to pedestrians and crossing lights. Don’t pass blame onto those crossing properly. Do better, Sudbury drivers, or don’t drive.

Sarah Bowdidge
Greater Sudbury