As a terrible reminder of why I occasionally write posts like my last one about being careful when you're out exercising, a dear friend of mine was hit by a car today while on her morning run. She has sustained serious injuries - fractured pelvis and wrists. She'll have surgery tomorrow followed by a very long recovery.
My very best wishes are with Rebecca.
I know my last post was mostly pointed at all of us, making sure that we're doing everything we can to be safe. However, usually when I talk or write about safety on the streets, it's to rail against drivers who pay far too little of their limited attention to what's happening around them. It's time for a lot more railing!
Drivers, you forget that the people walking or riding on your road have no protection. You have a huge sheet of steel surrounding you. We have nothing (and it is our road, too). Even at 10mph, you will inflict great damage on a human body. You don't bother to slow up or give us a little more room, assuming you can breeze by just inches from us. Most of the time you get away with it. But sometimes you don't.
What happens if we stumble? What happens if you just misjudged?
Yes, of course you're in a hurry. The way you drive, we should all understand that you are the most important person on the planet with the most important appointment. Or so you think.
But what happens to your precious schedule when you hit one of us?
You thought you were having a bad day....just wait until you run one of us down. Now you've got cops, hospitals, insurance to deal with.
I haven't even begun to talk about driver distractions. Easily 70% of the drivers I see while running on the roads are talking on their phones - or texting. I've seen people drive with the newspaper spread out on their steering wheel. I've seen women putting on makeup while driving. I've seen strange combinations of all of those activities - none of which have anything to do with driving. Really, your Facebook update can't wait 10 minutes until you're home? Seriously, nothing you have to say is that important!
So, drivers, slow the f*** up and pay attention!
Julie
My very best wishes are with Rebecca.
I know my last post was mostly pointed at all of us, making sure that we're doing everything we can to be safe. However, usually when I talk or write about safety on the streets, it's to rail against drivers who pay far too little of their limited attention to what's happening around them. It's time for a lot more railing!
Drivers, you forget that the people walking or riding on your road have no protection. You have a huge sheet of steel surrounding you. We have nothing (and it is our road, too). Even at 10mph, you will inflict great damage on a human body. You don't bother to slow up or give us a little more room, assuming you can breeze by just inches from us. Most of the time you get away with it. But sometimes you don't.
What happens if we stumble? What happens if you just misjudged?
Yes, of course you're in a hurry. The way you drive, we should all understand that you are the most important person on the planet with the most important appointment. Or so you think.
But what happens to your precious schedule when you hit one of us?
You thought you were having a bad day....just wait until you run one of us down. Now you've got cops, hospitals, insurance to deal with.
I haven't even begun to talk about driver distractions. Easily 70% of the drivers I see while running on the roads are talking on their phones - or texting. I've seen people drive with the newspaper spread out on their steering wheel. I've seen women putting on makeup while driving. I've seen strange combinations of all of those activities - none of which have anything to do with driving. Really, your Facebook update can't wait 10 minutes until you're home? Seriously, nothing you have to say is that important!
So, drivers, slow the f*** up and pay attention!
Julie
2 comments:
Julie,
I'm so sorry about your friend. Too many drivers navigate the road like idiots, at the cost to many innocent pedestrians.
Thank you for such an important posting.
Julie,
Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry about your friend. I hope she is doing better by now. Drivers do need to be more careful especially now with winter conditions. I often think about this when I walk on fairly busy streets...Thanks for this important reminder for all of us.
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