As a pedestrian in Arizona traveling the city streets of Phoenix vigilance should be priority number one. This should be the priority for everyone traveling in Phoenix and throughout Arizona. I’m sure the bicyclist traveling in Tempe a few nights ago who was hit and killed on Rural and Southern by a motorist making a left turn would like to take back his decision. Not that he made a wrong decision he had the right of way but I still must be cautious and give myself an alternative so that if the car does turn I can escape a collision. As a pedestrian I think like this. I have learned not to TRUST motorist. It was over 25 motorist that nearly hit me within a 3 month period that caused me to produce the “How is Your Driving?” show. Since then there have been many more incidents with latest being today.
I am walking in a westward direction on the North side of McDowell heading toward 3rd Street. There is a car coming out of the drive way and the car is completely blocking the sidewalk. As I approach the car the driver doesn’t move, I look back at the oncoming traffic and cars are in all three lanes. The “slow” lane closest to the curb the car has slowed down and the right turn signal is on. To continue walking (exercising my right of way) I need to walk in the streets and walk around this motorist that is blocking the side walk. As I start to move he (the driver) starts to pull out but I start to raise my hands, open my mouth and express my self and finally he YIELDS the right of way and lets me pass. Under normal circumstance I would not have to put up with this; however, this is the norm in Phoenix and Arizona today.
A pedestrian needs to know the rules of the road, the driving laws and rules; traffic laws and rules so that they can exercise good judgment. Some readers could say that in the above example I could have went around the vehicle that was blocking the sidewalk. I believe that everyone should respect the laws and rules and therefore follow them. I should not have to walk behind a vehicle because the vehicle should not block the driveway. It was the attitude of this driver that I wanted to correct. He knows he’s wrong! This is the very attitude of the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed the bicyclist and drove off like the coward he or she is! This is CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR people! It starts with little things like blocking driveways, intersections, and sidewalks; not stopping at stop signs or red lights, speeding then it gets more ambitious until someone is killed. I am an “old pro” who has been blessed so far, but what about our children? Many of them have not been so fortunate. Our children do not have the mind set that I have developed. They are energetic, playful, and in their own world not paying attention to motorists with attitudes. I tried to get into the Phoenix Union School District to share with them my program that teaches our youth about traffic and pedestrian safety but I was told they don’t have a “driver education curriculum or program.” Everything these schools do today is geared around testing AIMS testing.
Remember Vigilant means – to keep watch, stay awake, alertly watchful especially to avoid danger from Arizona motorists with attitudes!
