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Pedestrians should follow law

It’s no surprise that Spokane rates third in the rate of vehicle and pedestrian collisions, as reported in The Spokesman-Review this past Tuesday (“Busy Spokane streets make for risky crossings,” April 10, 2018). I walk or ride my bike as much as the weather allows, and it seems that a lot of pedestrians in Spokane are not aware of Washington state pedestrian laws.

RCW 46.61.250 states: Pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available. If sidewalks are not available, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic.

Just this morning, I passed a couple walking their dog in the bike lane with traffic whizzing by at 35-40 mph mere inches from them. Every one of us who walks, rides (or drives) would be safer if more pedestrians followed this law. As the weather warms up, and more people are out walking, Spokane city and county would do well to blast a series of Public Service Announcements on local TV and radio stations reminding pedestrians of this law.

Cyndy Nasman

Spokane

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