Dangerous time on local streets this weekend
Pedestrian hit and parked cars hit in separate incidents.
The streets of our neighborhood weren’t the safest this weekend as Facebook informs us of two events, one involving a drunk driver and the other a pedestrian struck in a crosswalk.
According to reports on Forest Hill Neighborhood Facebook a father with baby in stroller and two dogs were hit crossing Forest Hill with the light flashing around 6 on Saturday. It is mentioned that the driver stated he was blinded by the sun and couldn’t see the pedestrian. The good news is that we hear from Jennifer C. that the injuries were not serious.
The ongoing discussion shows that at large percentage of drivers tend to ignore the flashing lights and don’t yield. Personally I’ve watched in fright as someone came flying up on the back of my car after I had stopped for a pedestrian.
Also on Saturday but much earlier in the day around 8:40 AM in Forest Hill an allegedly intoxicated man in a Crown Vic decided to play pinball with his car and at least two parked cars on Reedy Ave. Before his car came to rest he did manage to scare quite a few neighbors as he drove around the neighborhood including 42nd, 43rd, and 46th. Once again we have Forest Hill Neighborhood Facebook to thank for the reports.
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Richard Hayes
When Richard isn’t rounding up neighborhood news, he’s likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest craft beer.
Notice: Comments that are not conducive to an interesting and thoughtful conversation may be removed at the editor’s discretion.
When crossing at the flashing lights, it is very important to pay attention to the cars that are behind the car that yeilds for the pedestrains. Often, those trailing cars are not stopping, since they think the stopped car is turning. Thus, they go around and enter the intersection where the pedestrian is crossing. Be safe, keep your head on a swivel.
Also, does anyopne know if the crosswalks at the lighted intersections will be repainted. Doing so may reinforce the purpose of those lights. I emailed the appropriate council rep.
1st, I want to say that I hope that everyone is alright and thoughts of well-wishes go out to everyone involved.
I’d like to bring up slightly different approach to this conversation to expand my take on things that I see around the neighborhood. One important aspect is that the flashing lights are to us let drivers know that we are about to cross the street after we have identified a “clear” path to the other side.
I’ve been at the cross walks with people who simply attempt to use them as a “Redlight” for oncoming traffic. IE: Press and walk with little regard for how close some vehicles really are relative to the crosswalks.
On Saturday morning, I had a person step off the curb and almost walk right into me while I was on my bike. I use some of the brightest blinking lights on the market and was riding a bright colored bike, but somehow they missed me within 50’ and almost sent me crashing into traffic.
At just 35pmh, a car is using up about 50’ of real-estate per second. Just saying, someone having to stop from 35mph safely needs just about 125-150’ w/o having so slam on the brakes… And we all know that 35mph is a joke for some drivers on FHA!
Anyhow, I just don’t want to see this happen again, but as a pedestrian, a cyclist and a driver on FHA, I have a vested interest in everyone try to watch for each other.