The law that enables pedestrians to cross at any crosswalk has its pros and cons and, also, many near misses. With traffic often being congested and drivers needing to get to their destination, crossing a street can be a daunting experience especially with small children and even more so in the nighttime when the color theme is black and reflector belts are only a suggestion.
It is, of course, incumbent on the pedestrian to use caution and not just walk out into the street and assume that cars will stop.
But here is an idea that works for me as a driver and should help the situation. When I see someone looking but hesitating to cross the street, by day or night, I flash my headlights on and off a couple of times. This accomplishes two things. It lets the pedestrian know I saw him/her and that I am stopping for them to cross. At the same time, it alerts the oncoming cars on the other side of the street to be aware that a pedestrian is crossing.
I use this idea all the time. Pedestrians wave a thank you and the oncoming car almost always stops. If I see the car is not stopping, I keep flashing my lights until it does.
At this point, oncoming cars may not be aware why you are flashing your lights at them. However, if this concept is publicized enough and accepted, it will become the norm of how we respect and take care of our pedestrians in Lakewood.
Y.A.
Lakewood.
(TLS welcomes your letters by submitting them to letters@thelakewoodscoop.com)
And exactly How are you changing the world with your ‘great’ idea?
People have been using h Th wit flashers – since flasher have come out.
Next idea.
The big problem is it’s illegal.
Not all places care but Lakewood and NJ probably do.
High beams can only be turned on (not even just to flash) when there are no other cars around.
Illegal shmeegal, rolling through a stop sign and going through a red light (or yellow when there was enough room to stop) is also illegal.
How about enforcing the law that you must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk?
Same for red lights
I’ve heard many good ideas in my life. I’m over 40 yrs old, so I’ve heard. Some good, some so-so, and some bad. But, I gotta say, as I review the many ideas I’ve heard in my life in my brain, of all the ideas, this may be the best idea. Or Top 10, maybe even top 5. Its, quite simply, a superb idea. And, if you think about it, you may be gifted in the idea dept. If you have an idea how to help the “Pedestrian Crossing” crisis perhaps you have one for the Shidduch, parnassah, school, OTD, and housing ones as well. Please,do share with us. Dont be embarrassed.
Thanx so much.
Hatzlocha Rabbah to all.
And keep on flashing those brights !!
Normal, well-adjusted people would realize that there is no gain in posting biting sarcasm as the type you use.
You have my sympathy
Well said.
That’s a great idea provided that the driver sees the pedestrian before he gets close… at night if the pedestrian isn’t wearing a reflector that’s usually difficult. And unfortunately that is not uncommon