Editor:
The letter in last week’s issue, from Mr. James, certainly resonated with me.
The lack of respect for pedestrians in our town’s crosswalks is endemic.
The crosswalks are clearly indicated with white paint on the roadways and, in some instances, signage and/or flashing amber lights.
However, marked or indicated, they are frequently ignored.
Many times I’ve had to wait near the curb while several vehicles sped past or leaped out of the way when misjudging a driver’s intention to yield.
As frequently as I have observed or experienced these incidents, I’ve not once seen a police officer stop a vehicle when there is a near miss or when a driver ignores a walker in a crosswalk.
Worse, virtually every day I am on Main Street I see vehicles drive around and pass other vehicles, which are waiting to make left turns, on the curb side, through crosswalks.
Years back my daughter and a friend were badly injured in just such a situation when a driver changed to another lane through a crosswalk and sent them flying and, on our Main Street, there is not a “curb side lane” even indicated.
Without doubt it is time for police intervention.
Tom Martin,
Osoyoos
OSOYOOS TIMES-September 22, 2010
