In January of this year, Joan Schmiege, chairperson of the Bainbridge Island Senior Community Center’s Well Being Committee, and members Adele Duprey and Dee Jay wrote a letter to the editor alerting motorists to pay more attention to the pedestrian crosswalk between Bjune Drive and Madison Avenue.
This crossing is used by many senior citizens and the Well Being Committee has heard several accounts from them of fast driving and failures to stop, even though the crosswalk is clearly marked.
The committee’s letter to the Bainbridge Review was written to remind drivers and hopefully prevent a serious accident.
In the same spirit, island resident Norman T. Marten, Jr., responded with a follow-up letter. While 100 percent in support of the law requiring drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians, Marten feels that pedestrians also have an obligation to act responsibly when crossing the street.
He wrote: “Rather than checking to be sure that the way is clear, or that a car has stopped, all too many people, both young and old, virtually lunge into a crosswalk without looking either way.”
Both letters have merit and bring attention to dangerous behaviors practiced on both sides. Perhaps this is a good time for all of us, motorists and pedestrians alike, to review the rules of the road.
The correct behavior under the law for motorists is to stop before entering a crosswalk and wait, keeping a lane apart from the pedestrian.
Stopping only briefly when close to a pedestrian is not compliance. Drivers crossing a sidewalk while entering or leaving a driveway, alley or parking lot also must yield to pedestrians.
Pedestrians are to look both ways before stepping into traffic, wait before entering the first lane, then wait and look again before entering the second lane. Having the right of way does not guarantee safety.
When crossing a street at any point other than a marked crossway or intersection, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles in the roadway. (However, pedestrians using a service animal or carrying a white cane have absolute right of way.)
In his letter, Marten said, “A friendly ‘thanks for stopping’ gesture would be nice too.” This used to be a common Bainbridge custom practiced by walkers crossing streets when cars stopped for them.
It was one of the many friendly gestures that made me happy to have picked this special town for my retirement when I moved here 20 years ago.
I adopted the practice and continue to use it, as do many others. Drivers frequently smile or nod in return.
Remembering these simple acknowledgements will add a lot to everyone’s travel experience, whether in a vehicle or on foot.
The roads belong to all of us and we all need to act responsibly as we use them. So let’s all slow down, stop, look and smile at one another as we share the highways and byways of Bainbridge Island.
Marcia Rudoff
Bainbridge Island
