Editor: I have resisted writing this letter to the editor.
I have resisted sounding like a whiner. But recently, what happened was really the last straw.
I have already informed my office colleagues that if I don’t show up for work one morning to check one of two places for me: Either the Victoria and Grand avenues intersection or at the axis of Thames Street, Victoria Avenue and Dover Street.
I’ll be the one laid out, flat as a pancake, after being struck as I tried to cross the street.
I am a serious walker. Seven days a week, to and from work, and in-between and on weekends.
Consequently I consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to crossing at various intersections with the walk signal. This is not rocket science. Push the button wait for the walk signal – cross the street as fast as you can after looking both ways for oncoming traffic.
So I just want to know – when did the rules change?
When were cars given the right of way over pedestrians when the walk signal is illuminated?
And what is with the utter defiance of the drivers who, when narrowly miss hitting me, stare me down or shake their fists at me as if I am somehow at fault?
On at least three occasions at the Victoria/Grand intersection had I not jumped out of the way, I would have been the aforesaid pancake. And forget about crossing Thames at the base of Victoria with the increased traffic due to the Third Street Bridge construction. That is truly an “every man for himself” situation!
So back to my last straw. A woman making a right hand turn onto Wellington Street at Queen was steamed that I wasn’t faster at crossing with the signal. She motioned with a scowl and with her waving hands for me to hurry up.
What happened to grace? What happened to kindness to our fellow man? Are we all so angry and frustrated we have just stopped caring about something as simple as letting someone cross at a walk signal?
Really?
School is starting soon. I really hope those of you who deem your time more important than my life will recognize that children may not be as adept at darting out of the way as I have been.
Donna-Jane Pollock
Chatham
