More sidewalks might also help improve the pedestrian survival rate--especially in so-called upscale neighborhoods.
There is an important lesson to be learned from the tragic accident in which Christian Giles was killed ("Police probe death of teacher hit by vehicle," July 18). If the lesson is heeded, it will prevent similar accidents.
According to news reports, she was walking south along the edge of Mullikin Road and was struck, obviously from behind, by a car also traveling south. Had she been following the established safety rule and been walking on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic she likely would be alive today.
When walking along the edge of a road, you should always walk on the left facing oncoming cars, moving onto the shoulder when one approaches -- unless the driver has obviously seen you and is giving you a wide berth.
It also is advisable to move into the shoulder when a car approaches from the other direction, in case a second car attempts to pass it.
Hugh K. Clark
Aiken, S.C.
Comments
More sidewalks might also help improve the pedestrian survival rate--especially in so-called upscale neighborhoods.
Hugh Clark is exactly right. Each of us observes pedestrians violating this standard of safety multiple times each day. Sidewalk or not, the pedestrian should move into the yard adjoining the street when a vehicle approaches. In addition, when the public safety officials observe this behavior, a citation should be issued to the pedestrian with a warning on the first violation and a significant monetary fine on succeeding violations. The least that we can do is teach the welfare mothers and the illegal immigrant mothers to keep their procession of stairstep brood of welfare recipients on the safe side of the road.
We need to ban right handed turns on red lights. And we need pedestrians to also be alert.
I think the left hand side of the road for pedestrians ought to be applied to bicycles as well.
And to add to WillistonTown's comment, we need to also ban right handed pedestrians.
people that type right handed should be banned from commenting on this site.
I think all of you need to open your eyes and realize that a beatuiful young lady lost her life due to a persons driving to fast in a neighborhood and being non-attentive while driving his vehicle. If in fact you would go the site were this accident occuired, you would see that it is a stright section of the road with no obstacles to block the view of driver and plenty of room for traffic to pass a pedestrian on the SHOULDER OF THE road even if walking on the wrong side as everyone seems to think is a law. Bottom line is a pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way. But then again some folks just have to find fault in the actions of the victim even if they lost thier life.
While I lament the fact that this young lady lost her life you are wrong that pedestrians always have the right of way. Pedestrians only have the right of way at marked crosswalks. Let's get all of the facts before we start blaming anyone. Let the investigation findings decide where blame should be placed.
Please obey safety rules and use common sense. It doesn't matter who has the right of way in the long run. If a pedestrian and a vehicle are at odds the pedestrian is going to lose if he or she doesn't get out of the way. (There are too many distracted drivers making tragic mistakes nowadays). Pedestrians, make sure you have a plan B if you are walking on the road and if there is more than one person walking in the road, have the fittest persons with the quickest reflexes on the side closest to the road and the others closest to the curb. This used to be the gentlemen, but nowadays it could be the lady that fits that description. I appreciate Mr. Clark's letter. It is to educate others to prevent another tragedy, not to find fault.
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