[nagdu] Crosswalks

[Ken Ace]

Hi Julie;
We have the flags here on the major streets like Gulf Blvd. and they seem to
help. Ace and I did get hit once, just bruised, while on the sidewalk by a
car backing out of a service station garage. I screamed and Ace barked as I
grabbed the back of the station-wagon to keep from falling. The driver just
stuck his head out the window, said I didn't see you and drove off. I wished
I could have read his license number. We all just have to be safe out there.
K&A

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
Sent: Sunday, May 05, 2013 9:28 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Crosswalks

I have a mid block crosswalk very near my house.  I use it a few times a
week.  It does have a stop light that is activated when you push the button.

I have come the closest I ever have to getting hit while crossing that
street.  It was evening and the sun would have been directly in the face of
the driver.  that might have contributed, but mostly I think it's because
the driver's aren't expecting pedestrians and they are only halfway paying
attention to where they are going.  The driver was also an older lady and
perhaps there are medical/physical issues that contributed to the situation.

I don't know.  she did get out of her car and apologized profusely.  I think
she was a lot more shaken by the situation than I was.

Once when I was vacationing in Jackson Hole Wyoming with my teen age son, we
noticed that there they have these flags in holders where pedestrians can 
cross without traffic lights.   Apparently you grab a flag and display it to

drivers as you cross the street mid block.  Jackson is a very small town,
but they get a crazy number of tourists in there.  It's very near
Yellowstone.  anyway I thought it was a very interesting concept to cope
with the large amounts of pedestrians and limited traffic lights.  No one
was run over while we were there, but no idea how safe it is over time.

Julie


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