Look Both Ways...
...before crossing the street.
I learned that as just a wee little tyke. That lesson seems to have gone by the wayside through the years with fewer and fewer people doing it.
So, I have to wonder if Eureka's pilot project for crosswalk control is going to really accomplish anything. Looks like the pedestrian pushes a button that turns on some flashing lights near the crosswalk, supposedly alerting drivers to the pedestrian's presence.
Why do I think this might end up doing more harm than good in the long run?
Maybe because if drivers get used to seeing the flashing lights they won't be as alert for pedestrians that are crossing the street without flashing lights? Or, maybe because pedestrians will figure they have the flashing lights so they can just cross the street without checking for traffic?
Probably a little of both.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 8:23 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Yeah, they will push the button and then just cross because they have it in their head they have the right-of-way because that urban myth has gone around for years. It's a stupid waste of time, and money that could be better spent just putting up little metal signs that say something to the effect "Look both ways before crossing the street"
All I know is, after living in big cities and small towns all over,
I have NEVER seen worse driving than in Eureka.
Running right through red lights seems to be some kind of deadly game here, played every day!
Followed closely by turning left IN FRONT of oncoming traffic!
What the $#%$ is the matter with people here?
I can't count how many times I've almost been hit by a car while crossing the street. I'm a very cautious pedestrian, but too many drivers are distracted and driving too fast. It's impossible to judge how fast an oncoming car is traveling. You assume they are traveling the speed limit and then find they are right on your butt.
I'd have to agree, but it isn't just the drivers, people walking out in between cars crossing the street willy-nilly. Bike riders.
Arcata and Eureka are really bad, I think a lot of people forget it is highway 101 going through town, or maybe just that many people want to commit suicide?
Uh, Eureka is very tame traffic wise. If anything its the fucking shitheads who wont take the initiative at a 4 way stop that create accidents. Waving people on is a recipe for disaster. Just get through the fucking intersection.
Nick Bravo has been banned from HSU's computer labs.
Developing...
This situation is not surprising. In the old days we taught students to read etc. Now we teach them to hug trees, recycle and sing Kumbaya. They are unable to read any signs that would be posted.
These sorts of pedestrian highlights have been studied for two decades. There is considerable research demonstrating their effectiveness at inception and throughout the lifetime of their use.
Yes, you should never follow traffic directions from somebody unless they are wearing a helmet and an orange vest. Drivers only see what is in front of them, unaware of the danger from behind. They'll stop and wave me across, but I'll thank them and point to all the traffic barreling down from behind them. Eureka is pretty unique in having 101 going through town.
Huck, Eureka is not unique. Highway 101 goes right through the middle of downtown San Francisco. And it completely SUCKS. It sucks for the drivers. It sucks for the pedestrians. It sucks for the businesses. Eureka doesn't have a clue how much better off they would be with a bypass making Old Town and Downtown a nicer place to be and shop.
Hey Fred, its nice that you have your opinion and all but do you have any evidence to back yourself up? No offense but you seem to give anecdotal evidence on questions that require statistics or other scientific methods to answer. Do you see my point, or are you just against change and new ideas in general?
What do you expect from a guy who spent his most productive years sitting in a family pizza place, drinking beer alone and watching the cars go by? What do you expect from a guy whose longest period with any one employer was doing security at the power plant, a job that a mannequin could probably do. I would compare Fred to Homer Simpson, but at least Homer worked and was allowed inside the power plant.
Sounds like a good Idea. Heck, just try to cross 4th, or 5th street--what a nightmare.
I also have seen some cities in California install flashing lights that went the length of the crosswalk on both sides--now there you will be totally seen, even in the noon sun.
Seems like we may be making progress on some things for a change. Now, if we could just come up with some new ideas, example--to stop the dreadful pan handling in front of almost every store (yes you to CO-OP)in Eureka, we might start a new wave of Policy making for the people. Thought I heard that mentioned from some of the new and returning Council members---new innovative policy making for the betterment of our community.
Then again, maybe that promise was just for wining their campaign's..
Yep 10:06 and 12:30. Fred is a pathetic loser. Responsible parents would use him as an object lesson to their children of what will happen to them if they don't apply thmselves in school and a vocation. Perhaps thats his greatest value.
But everyone, including a pathetic loser is entitled to an opinion. However not every opinion has the same merit. Fred is angry, upset and against changes (like better street crossings) that allow competant and motivated people to have better lives but draw attention to Fred's impoverished existence and furthermore don't increase his welfare payments.
Fred would have been against 25mph zones for schools back in the day. Its too bad a couple blinking lights out at the zoo is enough to confuse Fred, hopefully he wont have a seizure.
One has to wonder if by making school zones 25mph, we are, in fact, causing children to become fat and fatter. Because before the little fatties would have to run to cross the street and the slow fat ones would get hit.
Ha ha! Oh my gosh!
Is this Anon-R-Mouse a professional comedian or what!?
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I think anon-r mous constitutes a traffic hazard unto himself because of the giardia infested sewage spew that erupts from his keyboard.
He's no doubt a shitty driver as . Anon R . Most likely one of those a-holes who gets behind the wheel and wants to get even with the world.
I think we should have the lights in order to help protect little kids, disabled and elderly people from angry moron drivers like anon r mous
How about the Eureka High School kids. The School Board closes the street for them every day school is in regular session. That's so they won't accidentally (stupidly) walk into a moving car.
If EHS can't graduate students smart enough to cross a F#@*!g street, how does anybody expect them to compete in the global economy?
Anonymous is probably one of the drivers who do 40mph through the clearly marked school zone in huge gas guzzlers which they purchased on credit.
How does he compete in the global economy?
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