To the editor:
I voted in your jaywalking poll but thought I would go a step further and explain why my vote was “No, jaywalking is not a serious issue.”
I have been almost hit so many times crossing the street at a lighted crosswalk with the light and the sound letting the pedestrian know that they have the right of way.
Drivers in this city don’t seem to care about the pedestrians. I have seen this happen to other pedestrians as well as people in wheelchairs.
You take your life in your hands walking across the street when you are supposedly safe to do so, but that seems to be when it is the most dangerous.
Annette Van Koevering, Kelowna
To the editor:
I drive on Richter Street nightly. With the dark, wet nights it is extremely difficult to see pedestrians or cyclists, who are often wearing dark colours and are walking, or biking, too close to the road.
Please, before you head out, think about making yourself visible. Assume that you can’t be seen. Take a flashlight or wear a reflective jacket if walking, and if cycling, make sure your bike is well lit up both front and back. Before crossing the street, make sure the cars are stopped for you. If you are walking a dog, please keep them well off the road and buy a reflective collar or a leash with lights. Again I ask, assume that you can’t be seen.
I can’t imagine the agony of being struck by a vehicle, and the anguish of the person behind the wheel, and now that speeding and running red lights appears to be the norm in Kelowna, it is even more dangerous.
Hilary Maranda,
Kelowna
