March 5, 2023

Like most of you, I learned a lot from my mother. Many of these lessons can be filed under the general heading of common sense. That common sense derived from observing my mother’s situational awareness, and, because I grew up in New York City, there was always a lot to be aware of. One of the things she taught me was how to cross the street.

‘); googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1609268089992-0’); }); }

You may think this is a rather obvious life skill, and not something to be writing about, but the nanny state would disagree with you. During the past two decades or so, Big Brother has concluded that all of us require some help with this—dare I say, some “education.” It has gotten nuts recently. Pedestrians and bicyclists are no longer required to obey rudimentary traffic regulations!

First, let me tell you what my mom taught me. When you want to walk across a street, you make your way to the corner where there might be a traffic light. If there is a signal (you know, those old-fashioned ones with the red, yellow, and green lights), you wait for the green. If there is no signal, you wait until traffic clears, look both ways, then, when it is safe, you cross the street. I can even recall public service announcements on TV: “Walk on the green and not in between.” Perfectly simple!

Of course, that’s not good enough anymore, and the nanny state has, little by little, taken away our responsibility to look after ourselves. Government, in its beneficence, incrementally relieves us of responsibility and, in so doing, has increased its power over us. With less and less expected of us, we wonder why we are less able to cope.

Image: Pedestrian signal by freepik.

‘); googletag.cmd.push(function () { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1609270365559-0’); }); }

Now we have signs telling drivers to stop if they see a pedestrian who might even be thinking about crossing. We even have signs with flashing Christmas lights that can be manually or automatically activated, the so-called “demand” crosswalks. These are bad for both pedestrians and drivers.

As a pedestrian, when I want to cross a street, I avoid the demand crosswalks. I hate when, as I am waiting to cross, drivers attempt to stop for me. I always wave them through. Again, thanks to mom, I know that a 170 lb. man is no match for even the smallest vehicle. If I were to exercise the right bestowed upon me by the nanny state to stop traffic, I would be placing my safety in the hands of the legislature and governor. Thank you, but no! I will rely on my own judgment and common sense and provide for my own safety. My mom, who taught me not to rely on others, often said “Never depend on the arm of a friend; paddle your own canoe.”

Likewise, as a parent, I was adamant: “While you live under my roof, you will not stop traffic, little girl.” As my mom taught me, so I taught. I told my daughter that the legislature makes you feel empowered that you can legally stop traffic; resist the temptation. Their foolish fantasy will do you no good in intensive care.

As a driver, I hate these things even more than I do as a pedestrian. Just today, while driving on a major thoroughfare in my city, I spied a pedestrian standing at a demand crosswalk sign. Is he looking at me driving toward him? No. He’s looking at the trees, the birds, the clouds, the kids on the swings, and the squirrels in the park; everything but oncoming traffic.

Now, I have many skills and talents, but telepathy, I regret, is not among them. Without some form of communication (a nod, a wave, eye contact, something), I cannot possibly know what an inattentive person standing at the roadside intends. And, please put the phone in your pocket, and lose the earbuds!

Dog walkers are another category entirely. Are they trying to cross or merely waiting for Rover to finish doing his business? Now, I am a dog lover, and I always slow down for dogs (you never know if they might get spooked and dart out) but, for Pete’s sake, give me a hint!