No cakewalk being a pedestrian

But those on foot must not be passive street users

Jul 18, 2009

Comments on this story (2)

There's an old joke about how a pedestrian is just a motorist who's found a parking spot. And judging by how many drivers stumble their way through the world once on foot, it's obvious no memory of what they've seen on the road is retained when they exit their steel cocoons.

There's no getting around reality. In a battle of man and machine, the car will win – every time, guaranteed. And while it is ultimately the motorist's responsibility to watch for pedestrians, safe pedestrians also watch for cars.

In a perfect world, you'd be able to navigate a green light without looking around, get off a streetcar or school bus without worrying, stride through the crosswalk unscathed, or even walk along a sidewalk without checking for cars crossing into driveways. But in a world where drivers are in a hurry, yapping on cellphones, balancing coffee cups or simply not paying attention, you have to constantly be on your guard.

And as a pedestrian, you should also think about how your actions affect traffic. Drivers can be confused by people who stand at the edge of the corner when they don't intend to cross the street, who jaywalk across busy, multi-lane roads one lane at a time, or who don't take the right-of-way when it belongs to them, waving drivers through instead.

The pedestrian's top safety tool is eye contact. Always make sure drivers know you're there. If you suspect the driver is oblivious, wait until you're sure you've been spotted, even if you have right-of-way.

When crossing on a green light, be wary of drivers who are turning right on the red. Many look only to the left for oncoming traffic and never make that essential right-hand check for pedestrians. I love walking on rainy days, because it supplies me with a prop. More than once I've slammed my umbrella on the hood of the car belonging to the moron du jour who hadn't looked both ways before a turn.

Even if you're on the driver's side, make sure your presence is known. Car roofs are now stronger because the pillars are thicker and pedestrians can disappear momentarily behind them.

Eye contact is also the reason behind the rule broken most often in my rural area: when there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.

And sight isn't your only ally. In busy areas, remove the iPod earbuds and be careful with the cellphone. Pedestrians have been killed because they didn't hear a vehicle coming or were so involved in a phone call, they walked mindlessly into a car's path.

Parking lots are also dangerous. Although drivers aren't going fast, they're busy looking for spots or avoiding cars backing out, making pedestrians vulnerable, especially when they stride out from between parked cars.

Parents should teach kids not to run ahead of them. Those who do can disappear from a driver's view behind minivan or SUV liftgates.

Not all pedestrians are drivers, but all drivers are pedestrians. When you're in your car, watch for unsafe moves that pedestrians make. Then when you're on foot remember a simple rule: don't do the same thing.

jil@ca.inter.net.

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Toronto Star