After Rash of Pedestrian Deaths, Silver Spring Considers Solution
Four pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed in the past two weeks. What does Silver Spring think is the answer?
Crosswalks, crossing guards, speed limits, vigilant police, horns, traffic lights, stop signs, turn signals; the list of precautions to ensure pedestrians and drivers coexist is endless. But in Silver Spring, this list may have to be updated, or at least reviewed and questioned.
Since Jan. 22, four pedestrians and one cyclist have been killed in Silver Spring and Aspen Hill. Of the pedestrians, three died trying to cross the road, while the other stood on the sidewalk.
The rash of fatalities in such a small window has residents and representatives wondering aloud what, if anything, should be done.
Jazmine Jones maintained that drivers should take it upon themselves to be more considerate, as “90 percent of them (drive too fast).”
“A lot of pedestrians are too bold, too, but they follow the traffic lights,” Jones said. “People just drive too fast here.”
However, she was hesitant to propose upping police enforcement.
Shanda Stout, who moved to Silver Spring after growing up in the Midwest, said she immediately noticed a stark contrast between the driving habits of Silver Spring and those of her hometown.
“Compared to other parts of the country, drivers are worse here,” Stout said. “You should know to be careful—everyone’s a pedestrian sometimes.”
Robert Pleasure, who works in Downtown Silver Spring, said he hasn’t noticed many drivers who act recklessly or overly aggressively. But, he said, the government and police should always be attentive to troubling trends.
“If people are getting killed, it’s worth studying,” Pleasure said. “And I’m always in favor of more crossing guards.”
Lesley K Sackville
11:01 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
I have lived in Downtown Silver Spring for years and I am a pedestrian & a driver. Both share responsibility here but sadly from what I have personally seen too many people refuse to use common sense when on foot. I can't tell you how many people I see crossing busy streets in mid-block when a crosswalk is very close. Its not fair to the drivers, so many people dashing into traffic from anywhere. It bothers me, and when adults do it with small kids I am so frustrated. Make that bad decision for yourself but not your kids, its unacceptable. If this behavior is not stopped deaths & injuries will continue. We need the option back to cross the intersections all ways, so drivers & walkers all get a turn. Also bring back "jwalking" tickets & enforce it! You must hit some people in their wallet to get their attention.
Woody Brosnan
12:01 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
The fact that very few of these deaths result in charges against the driver shows that pedestrians are usually at fault for crossing streets at the wrong place or at the wrong time. Still, drivers need to be aware of this and show extra caution.
Ian Cooper
5:44 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
LOL! The fact that very few of these deaths result in charges against the driver shows that police officers are motorists and are therefore more likely to empathize with their fellow motorists. Also, many officers are just as confused about the law as it applies to cyclists and pedestrians as are their non-police motorist brethren. This is why so many injured cyclists are cited for riding on the road (it's perfectly legal for cyclists to ride on the road) or impeding traffic (a cyclist cannot be fined for impeding traffic when he's going at a normal cycling speed), and why injured pedestrians are cited for failure to yield when crossing at a crosswalk (where motorists must yield). Unless the motorist is staggering around and slurring his words, I doubt it crosses most police officers' minds that maybe the driver was to blame.
In terms of the recent spate of pedestrian deaths, two thirds of them were clearly the fault of the motorist. Will the motorists be charged? Doubtful, because even though 2 out of every three of the pedestrians were killed on crosswalks, the police are probably as unaware as almost everyone else in the city that under MD law, crosswalks exist at every intersection, whether they're marked or not. Plus, the pedestrians are dead, which makes it difficult for them to get their side of the story heard.
jag
12:12 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Are you two joking? Haven't all 4 of the pedestrians been reported to have had the right of way? Heck, one of the pedestrians was ON THE SIDEWALK when they were killed, weren't they?
I was almost hit in a crosswalk on Friday - the drivers around here are horrific. Not to say they're always to blame (obviously they aren't), but certainly more often than not.
Ron
12:34 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
I think that pedestrians are taking this, "I am in the walkway" way too serious and forget that a 150lb person is no way a match for a 3000lb peace of steal!! Since this law has passed I have found myself slamming on the brake because pedestrians seem to think that they have the right away and are ENTITLED and they don't have to be careful! Its truly sad that people die this way but this law tends to make people feel this strange entitlment and its not really a good idea to do that.
Good luck with this one Silver Spring!!
Ian Cooper
5:48 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
When a pedestrian is killed by a motor vehicle that failed to yield, that is not a 'win' for the motorist. The road is not a 'match'.
Pedestrians have priority at crosswalks. Maybe motorists wouldn't have to slam on the brakes hard if they obeyed posted speed limits and stopped texting long enough to look up at the road once in a while. Oh, and learning the state Driver's Manual might help too.
NJ27
1:03 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
In some places like 29 and Georgia Ave. north - Overhead pedestrian walkways. Reason: Crossing four lanes going each way especially in the dark is very dangerous. The bus stops are not always located at a traffic light with a crosswalk. Speed is definitely a factor.