Dark days are upon us.
Thanks to the Pacific Northwest’s “Big Dark,” that is. And the love of dark clothing. And the headlights kept off, just because the driver can see. And the unlit bikes and scooters.
Many of us complain about pedestrians and drivers. How many actively take their safety and the safety of others seriously? As a regular walker, I see safety being compromised and accidents just waiting to happen. Many are likely aware of what they need to do, but are apparently unwilling to make the effort.
Who is responsible for keeping another safe? We all are. It isn’t just a matter of “the other person needs to be aware” … we ourselves need to be aware, too. The choices are simple, doable and common sense.
First and foremost: Everyone, put down your phone and take out those earbuds or take off headphones if you are wearing them. It doesn’t matter if you are walking, riding, or driving; if you are distracted by your phone, if you cannot hear, you are not safe, nor are others around you. It truly takes only a small amount of time out of your day to turn the phone off for the time it takes you to get to your destination safely.
Second: Illuminate. In the dark, in fog, in the rain, it is important to be visible (front and back). There are many things that can illuminate a pedestrian that won’t interfere with their sense of style. For drivers, even if you can see, that doesn’t mean your vehicle can be easily seen without its lights on; and it is not an imposition to turn them on. The same goes for those on bikes and scooters, especially if you are wearing dark clothing, too.
Third: Know the laws. Pedestrians should walk facing traffic on roads with no sidewalks, not with their backs to traffic. This is not only the law, it is common sense. Think about wearing dark clothing, peering at your phone, earbuds on, your back to oncoming traffic: One misstep by you or a vehicle is one misstep too close to disaster for both of you. Wheeled transportation travels with traffic, that, too, is the law. And those headlights? It is also the law to turn on lights when it is stormy, foggy or raining, no matter how well you as a driver might be able to see, other drivers, pedestrians, those on bikes and scooters may not be able to see you. It is also the law to stop for pedestrians, which also means they must clear the direction you are turning or the side of the road you are traveling on fully before you proceed.
And fourth: Slow down and look. Be aware at crosswalks, be aware at street corners, be aware and look both ways before you step out or before you make your turn. Is the few seconds you save — especially those who choose speed, to run a light or ignore “No Turn on Red” signs — worth possibly injuring another?
Too often on my walks, I see all the wrong choices being made. Too often, people complain about “the other” and their behavior. It behooves us to remember that at any point, every one of us can be “the other.”
The Big Dark: We are in it together. Let us work to keep ourselves and each other safer, too. Choose well; be aware.
May we all be the light.
