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Pedestrian Safety
An officer from the Burbank Police Department met with
residents of a local senior community to discuss pedestrian
safety. Here are the key points that came out during the presentation and
the subsequent discussion that are especially relevant to seniors:
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Wherever possible, cross the street at an intersection with
a crosswalk. Follow this recommendation even if it means going
out of your way or walking a little farther. There should be no reason
for you to be in a real hurry. Crossing the street in the middle of
the block is dangerous, people in cars are not especially looking out for
you, and you could be hurt. Even if walking to the next intersection
with a crosswalk made you late, and even if that mattered, it is better to
be late than not to arrive at all.
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Always make eye contact with the driver before you step off
the sidewalk and onto the street. This does not mean just a
glance. This means continuous contact so that you know that the driver
sees you and that the driver is going to stop for you. Some drivers
make eye contact with you and assume that you will stop for them! So
be careful. Be sure that the driver is coming to a stop before you
step in front of his car.
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If you walk during the early morning or in the evening when
the natural lighting is not good, wear bright colors, and possibly carry a
flashlight. You are responsible for your own safety, and bright colors
and a flashlight will help drivers see that you exist.
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If you cross a multi-lane street be especially careful to be
ready to "go" as soon as the "walk" signal comes
on. Multi-lane streets may not allow enough time for you to get across
before the cars start coming. If you are not paying close attention, you
can make this problem worse, and by the time you start crossing, the light
has changed, and the traffic is starting to flow. Quite often, to the
person behind the wheel, the only person whose time matters is their own and
the pedestrian is just another obstacle to get around. So to protect
yourself, you have to pay attention when you cross the street and do not
dilly-dally.
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Before you cross the street or enter a roadway, look left,
look right, and left again. Watch out for parked cars. Parked
cars can be deadly. Sometimes cars have tinted windows, and you can't see anyone inside. And many of today's engines are getting quieter all the
time, especially hybrids. Before you know it you're hit by a
parked car, or at least a car you thought was parked.
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Obey all pedestrian traffic signals. This is a very
serious matter. When a person driving an automobile breaks a traffic
law they are usually risking somebody else's life more than their own.
When a pedestrian breaks a traffic law, they may be risking somebody else's
life, but in most cases they are putting themselves and other pedestrians at
great physical risk of injury or death. Obey all pedestrian traffic
signals. Please.
Regarding the possibility that some intersections do not allow
enough time for people, especially seniors, to cross the street, the officer
suggested that people form a "local committee" and write and sign a
group letter to the City Traffic Engineer, Ken Johnson*, with the specifics
regarding which intersection(s) need to be fixed. He felt that group
actions, with periodic follow-up, have the greatest chance of bringing about any
needed changes.
*Ken Johnson, City Traffic Engineer, Public Works Department
333 East Olive Street
Burbank, CA 91502
(818) 238-3915 (Tel)
www.BurbankWire.com/pedsafety
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