Pedestrians Have Right Of Way Letter Of The Week From Jan. 5

Interesting. A pedestrian was killed in Post Falls while in an intersection at a shopping mall, but it must be her fault because she was wearing dark clothing and the driver wasn’t drunk or speeding.

Pretty simple, well?

A few hours before I heard this news I was walking in Spokane, just a mile or so, on an average day. Only two people tried to cut off my right of way and only one driver ran the red light at Third and Division. I only had to walk behind one car, and only had to run a few hundred yards to save my life.

It’s always very easy to explain a pedestrian death. There are very few of us and there seemingly are more cars than people in Spokane County alone. Drivers don’t expect you, anticipate you or care about pedestrians’ right to life.

Why didn’t that driver stop at that intersection if he knew he couldn’t see?

An assertive pedestrian is especially hated. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 17-year-old in a hot car or a mommy driving a car full of kids to Sunday school. Drivers in this area treat pedestrians with contempt.

A witness at the scene said, “A pedestrian shouldn’t assume the driver can see them.” Obviously, that was another motorist talking.

Pedestrians have the right of way at all times. Look for them at all times. You’ve got airbags, we don’t. Michaela Morgan Spokane

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