Motorists, pedestrians have the power to make change

To the editor:

Re: 'Motorists should be looking out for pedestrians: reader,' Letters, Jan. 20

The controversy over who should look out for whom seems an endless campaign to shift responsibility by one party onto another. When in fact this is a cut and dry issue of equally shared responsibilities and mutual respect. Where each have to conduct themselves in a very conscious and responsible fashion, and not rely on the other to make the right move, present company included. Since thoughtlessness often occurs on both sides, it is in all our interests to be vigilant. There is no question, some motorists fall short on this issue and continue to use their phone, texting, daydreaming, speeding, etc... Likewise, the pedestrians have fallen short of their responsibilities, and forget that a vehicle is not able to stop on a dime. On many occasions I have witnessed parents guiding their child across the street with their backs to the traffic, as if they were in the middle of a park. Since children learn by example, what is that child being taught? It is a missed opportunity for the parent to make the child street-wise and keep it safe. We are obviously so wrapped up in our daily issues that we lose track of our immediate surroundings. Furthermore, very often youngsters show a lack of awareness and respect for the traffic, by taking their time in making a crossing, rather than taking a brisk walk across. Personally, I would like to see the province initiate a road safety campaign with the help of the news media, illustrating some examples that have led to serious consequences. There are just too many avoidable accidents taking place, and each one of us has the power and responsibility to make a change for the better.

W. Jacyk