Two men walking on Concord Street sidewalk midday Saturday of church Christmas fairs, one of them having a hard time walking, I observed while passing them. On Thanksgiving weekend, a man was walking into Depot Square in the traffic lane. A car approached; he looked back and proceeded to walk in the middle of the traffic lane.
People walking along our streets with their backs to traffic despite a sidewalk sitting there. Others walk two or more side-by-side without moving to single file. What is in their thoughts? Each of us needs to take control of where we place our bodies, as we can’t depend on someone behind the wheel catching every nuance that is out of character for the situation, especially wearing dark clothes.
Along with bodies placed in precarious places, why are vehicles parked in parking spaces along our streets heading in the wrong direction? Parked cars are supposed to face traffic direction. Are they flipping our noses at rules of society instead of heeding rules that make our lives safer? Sidewalks and sides of traffic and turning our cars to park legally are part of being a member of our social, legal and safety system to keep our lives healthier.
Lets follow the rules and have a safer holiday season and upcoming winter of snow and harder driving and walking months, then follow with these practices year-round.
Kath Allen
Peterborough