I'm fortunate to live in a part of the country where pedestrians have the right-of-way when dealing with cars. In theory, it's a good idea. The problem is that most "pedestrians" around here are morons. When crossing the street or parking lot, people tend not to care the monster truck bearing down on them has a driver who isn't paying attention and texting about a bitchin' bar with $1 Bud Lights.

The reasons the morons don't care is because "pedestrians have the right-of-way." That's the law. Of course wandering aimlessly into traffic like a two year old hopped up on juice boxes just because you think the law is on your side isn't just dangerous -- it's stupid.

I can't tell you how many times this has happened to me. And I drive a big, black truck that would treat them like a speed bump if I wasn't looking. They'd never stand for this stupidity on the East Coast. They would lay on the horn (were not allowed to use a horn around here) or if they were late for a meeting, just keep going.

My point? Being right doesn't mean anything if it means having 2 tons of steel on your chest. It's personal responsibility. As a responsible member of the community you have a responsibility to make sure the driver sees you just as he/she has the  responsibility to stop and let you waddle across the street.

The solution: as you make your way to the crosswalk, look directly at oncoming traffic. If they have no intention of stopping -- quit walking!!! Don't dart out there and hope they lock up their breaks and fishtail into the intersection. If they do stop, give a wave and dart across the street. Do not walk slow. Have respect for their time as well as your own and put a little hustle into it.

For some reason this really gets to me. When I see someone waltz into traffic without looking at what might be barreling down the street makes me want to rip them a new one. We all have to work together to make everything run smoothly.

Am I way off base here? It sure doesn't feel like it. What do you think?

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Image courtesy of Christopher Brown - licensed under Creative Commons.