[NAGDU] Traffic checks

[Ann Edie]

Tracy,

Good luck with getting the police to even try to do anything about drivers
entering the crosswalks when there are pedestrians crossing. Drivers don't
usually even get ticketed, much less charged with a crime, when they
actually hit and injure a pedestrian crossing with the light and the Walk
cycle. And if the pedestrian happens to be blind or otherwise disabled, then
he or she is even more likely to be blamed for being in the street in the
first place. You're likely to here something like this from the offending
motorist, "Officer, I never saw the person in the crosswalk," (despite the
fact that the person was crossing during the "Walk" cycle and was 6'2" tall,
wearing a bright yellow rain slicker, and accompanied by a 28: tall GSD
guide dog--and a 14-man, marching brass band!)

But I certainly wish we could get some action on this matter. I wish I could
read license plates when these situations occur, or that I had a
body-mounted camera that could record the events for police follow-up
action.

Good luck.

Ann

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tracy Carcione
via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 1:46 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Tracy Carcione
Subject: [NAGDU] Traffic checks

There's a street I cross 2-3 times a week where we frequently get traffic
checks.  There's a light, and I know when in the cycle it's my turn to go,
but it also seems like anyone can turn any time they want.  Damn
right-on-red and the scum who thought of it.

Did you know in NJ it's illegal for a driver to enter the crosswalk when a
blind person is in it?  I didn't, until I read the law, and I'm sure drivers
don't know, either.  I'd settle for not entering the crosswalk until I'm
good and past.  

I'm wondering if contacting the police would achieve anything.  

Or I could cross further up, a couple blocks from the light, which makes me
a bit nervous, but fewer idiots turn on me.

Krokus has been fantastic, looking out for us, but really, who needs it?

Tracy

 

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