Pedestrians Have The Right Of Way - And Response (3)

  • Friday, August 26, 2016

Often I visit Gold's Gym at Chestnut and 4th Street. I  park in the theater parking lot at Broad and 4th Street.  I depend on the walk signs to get me there safely.  Most days I almost get hit by someone turning left or right coming from the exit ramp off 27 or turning right on 4th street from Chestnut. This happened yesterday as I was almost mowed down by a garbage truck and another driver following too close to the garbage truck.  I had the walk sign, but drivers are so distracted, they do not seem to see pedestrians.  I have had to stop in the middle of the road to keep from being hit.  

Drivers are turning right on red or turning with the green traffic light and not an arrow. Often people are on their phone talking and texting.  I am amazed as I stand waiting on the walk sign, the number of people texting and driving.  No wonder our car insurance rates are rising.

My concern are families and our out of town visitors.  The area is by the Discovery Museum and is a high foot traffic area with small children holding their parent's hand. 

I just returned from Chicago where the law, pedestrians have the right of way, was respected.  That was my experience.  

In Chattanooga there are small signs that read pedestrians have the right of way or at least at this location.  Often I point to that sign, sometimes yell at drivers not obeying the law.  If they respond, it is usually with a gesture.  

I believe Chattanooga needs to make this a priority so we are a pedestrian friendly city.  We are growing as a vacation destination city and lots of locals are coming to town every day to work and enjoy the downtown area.  

This problem is not just in the downtown area.  On St. Elmo Avenue there is a pedestrian flashing light that I often see drivers not stop for families crossing the street.  

It certainly has raised my awareness about pedestrians.   

Tammy Puryear
Lookout Mountain, Ga. 

* * *

Ms. Puryear, 

You are certainly correct that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, with the proper light.  You are also certainly correct that many drivers do not honor that right of way.  Since driver’s education is rarely taught anymore, it may be that some drivers just do not know that the pedestrian has the right of way in crosswalks.  

Unfortunately many pedestrians cross the streets whenever and wherever they choose, downtown or otherwise.  Many do not use crosswalks or obey the lights.  I have seen tourists and locals, business people and people at leisure crossing in the middle of traffic, just darting across in front of and between cars, with no thought to their own safety or the safety of the cars that have to avoid them.  It is what is easiest for them.  

We were taught that jaywalking was illegal.  Police used to give tickets for jaywalking.  We were taught “Cross at the green, not in between."  We were taught those things for a reason, safety.  Personal safety is even more important now, for the reasons you pointed out, that many drivers are distracted.  

I would like for the schools to teach that kind of thing again.  Life skills are important.  If the children understand the necessity of safety, they can help teach their parents.  If Chattanooga spent as much money on education for that kind of thing as they do for bicycle lanes, you might be safer in a crosswalk.  

Pam Stone

* * *

I don't believe it's from a lack of knowledge that people jaywalk. It's more of an arrogance of "I'm crossing where I want to cross."

I've seen people on Brainerd Road jaywalk rather than walk 20 feet to a light and the cross walk. In fact, a man on Gunbarrel Road walked between cars rather than walk one car length to the cross walk.

With drivers as distracted as they are today, it's surprising he didn't get flattened when the light changed before he could get to the other side.

Students are taught about traffic lights. So please don't blame the schools for lack of concern about pedestrian safety. And, by the way, it was one of our illustrious imported superintendents who thought driver safety was not needed so he phased it out.

My personal annoyance is when people walk or jog after dark in all black clothing. It might look smart in the runner's magazine and reflectors don't look so cool, but that won't matter in the ER.

Ralph Miller

* * *

Children, children, children, get over yourselves. Quit whining.

Idiot drivers (and pedestrians) are probably as old as the wheel.

Let me give you a hint: "It's not a perfect world."

Remember Robert Fulghum, who wrote "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten?.

Pay attention now.  "Stop." "Look." and "Listen."

Steve Campbell

Latest Headlines
Opinion
Democratic View On Top State Senate Issues - March 18, 2024
  • 3/18/2024

Campbell bill seeks to save lives by studying suicide trends in Tennessee 3 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar — SB 1787 , by Sen. Heidi Campbell, would require state health officials to produce ... more

The Odor Of Mendacity - And Response (2)
  • 3/16/2024

The Fulton County judge, Scott McAfee, overseeing the Fani Willis prosecution of Donald Trump and eighteen other defendants has spoken. In response to a motion by defendants to remove Willis ... more

Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 15
  • 3/15/2024

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee State Supreme Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session ... more