Letter: Pedestrians putting themselves at risk

To the editor:

A Teaching Moment Lost

First, but not necessarily foremost, I would like to express my gratitude and thanks to our school crossing guards for their efforts and commitment to keeping our kids safe.

That said, I'd like to harken back to my memories of the crossing guards of my youth. I recall, that as today, they were ever present to do their duty, but, unlike today they held us back until it was safe to cross.

Now I'll fast forward to the present, where, on multiple occasions, I have seen crossing guards sticking out their sign to stop traffic before the kids are even at the roadway. I have seen crossing guards stick out their sign as I, or other vehicles, are approaching without regard to it being a safe time to cross...I'm talking "hit the brakes" time.

I have seen a group of school kids cross the street without stopping and looking both ways to make sure it is safe to do so.

Sadly it is not only kids but adults as well who fail to be cautious when crossing against traffic. This is evident not only on our roadways but also when exiting grocery stores and department stores.

I realize that pedestrians have the right of way, but they do not have the right to step out into traffic aimlessly and put their well-being at risk at the expense of the motorist...it's no wonder that we hear about a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle at an alarming rate.

To end my rambling, I would like to ask our crossing guards to take a moment and teach our kids about crossing safely and I ask everyone else to do their due diligence as well. 

Dan Bissonnette

North Bay