OFF THE CUFF

A key to avoiding those knuckle-clenchers

As I wrote here a couple of weeks ago, you never know what you’ll find in the “Cuff.” This week is no exception.

I have been gearing up for several weeks to tackle the national political pot, a dangerous subject, one that sometimes can make a few friends but more often several enemies. I pounded out my thoughts on the old Underwood and have them all wrapped up for thisweek’s paper.

However, another subject has come up, so the pol pot paper is getting shoved aside. Probably, it’s best for all concerned, especially me. But what is the new subject?

Readers of the Cuff have known for several years I rant and rave about motorists who won’t turn on their headlights when they should even though it is anunenforceable state law. And regular readers know my idea is that it should be mandatory for all vehicles to run with their lights on all the time. Fat chance!

But that’s not the subject of this week’s Cuff. The subject is “pedestrians.” Particularly daylight and twilight pedestrians, as well as those walking on drizzly, foggy early mornings and evenings.

Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy walking and think it’s great exercise. And walking is a necessity for many. But ... but when a pedestrian or, more especially, when several together are strolling down the middle of a street, in the dark, all of them dressed in dark clothing,seemingly without a care in the world, the word pedestrian takes on a whole new meaning.

A group, such as described above, scattered on dark pavement that reflects moisture, and with the participants enjoying their outing, talking, laughing, without a care in the world, can be challenging ... especially if you place in that picture an automobile. Or it could be a pickup truck or a motorcycle rounding a corner coming face to back with black blobs blending into a black background that absorbs light.

Good brakes, squealing tires, traction that catches without swerving can be the only things that stand between safety and tragedy.

Or, take an early morning jogger or walker heading along on the edge of a street who, though carefully watching for vehicles, is unable to seek safety in a bar ditch as an approaching vehicle meets an oncoming vehicle. It’s a chancy situation. Does the driver swerve into the oncoming lane? Go straight and graze the pedestrian? Slam on the brakes and suffer whatever consequence develops?

Situations described above can be real knuckleclenchers as hands grip the steering wheel. They can also cause blood pressure to spike and breath to expel. And what does the pedestrian feel?

All of this leads to asimple request: When sidewalk is available, please use it. When groups walk, try not to use the center of the road. And especially, when walking or jogging in those conditions described above, please include some light colored clothing or reflective material, both front and back and on shoes, that will quickly identify a person.

The likelihood of a tragic accident not happening is probably 99 percent. It’s that possible 1 percent that can be a tragic difference. Please don’t be that 1 percent.

Dodie Evans is the editor emeritus of the Westside Eagle Observer and may be contacted by email at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 5 on 12/07/2011