Pedestrians, show yourselves

While driving through Rathdrum around 9 p.m. recently, I almost hit an adolescent in a crosswalk just past Super 1 near the high school. The child was dressed in black clothes, including a hat, and was nearly invisible even in my headlights!

I am not sure how I saw this child in time. Perhaps it came from instincts honed by 55 years of driving, but the point is this: Had I not reacted, I probably would have hit him/her! Also, this child did not react to my presence, even after I flooded the area with high beams. He/she just kept ambling across the road in front of me without looking up.

Luckily, I was at the speed limit, but I was moving fast enough to have killed or seriously injured this person. And that would have ruined my life as well.

Pedestrians and bikers, always wear some bright, reflective clothing, and please never take your right-of-way privilege in crosswalks for granted. Drivers can’t always see well, especially at dusk!

Douglas Toland

Sagle, Idaho