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10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, October 15,1986 Section Two Flashing Red Hand Confuses Pedestrians Do you ever find that you are rushing for no apparent reason. It's so easy to get drawn into the fast pace of our society, that it seems as if you are "fighting the clock" throughout the whole day. My wife and I have a favourite way to take time out from the "human race". Walking...But recently, it seems that even walking we sometimes end up rushing. Let me explain. Here we are out for a nice relaxing walk and as we approach approach the intersection I push the button for the "walk" signal. As the traffic comes to a stop for the red light, on comes the signal. Looking carefully to make sure the traffic is stopping we step off the curb and start to cross. About one third of the way across the intersection we notice that the walking man has disappeared and the dreaded red hand is rapidly flashing at us. Seeing this, we wonder what to do. The curse of the red hand has struck again. Should we return to the curb and try again or quickly run to the other side. We opt to quickly quickly cross and arrive shaken at the other side. Standing there with hearts pounding we wonder what's going on at traffic engineering. Why did they shorten the crossing time? Have they not considered considered pedestrians at all when timing the lights. Are we second class citizens when on foot? Don't those engineers realize that the world's first traffic signal, erected in London, London, England in 1868, was installed strictly for the purpose purpose of allowing pedestrians to safely cross the street. And here I am taking an unhurried walk and they end up rushing me across the road I Well, the situation is that the traffic engineers have been thinking of us, and their concern has led them to make the walk signal shorter. Does that make sense? When it's explained, explained, it should. In late August I received a phone call from Mr. Dave McMullen. Dave Is the Traffic Operations Manager for the Region of Durham. He told me that he had received a number of complaints about the "walk" signal being shortened. shortened. Dave wondered if he could explain the reason to me and then I could relay the information information through this column. So here it is: In reality, the time available to cross the road is the same as it was. The don't walk" signal has been lengthened lengthened and the "walk" signal shortened. This was done to ensure that pedes trains do not START to cross when there is insufficient time to make the other side safely. If you have entered the crossing on the "walk" signal and while crossing crossing the "don't walk" signal comes on, don't panic. You still have lots of time to make the other side, providing you don't dawdle, as this phase is now longer. The flashing light is to be treated the same way as a driver uses an Amber Light (if the light comes on while your vehicle is in the intersection you're okay, but if you have not yet entered the intersection and you can stop safely, you must not enter). If the "don't walk" walk signal is flashing, and you are about to cross, DO NOT ENTER THE ROADWAY. It is not only illegal, but you'd never make it across to the other side in time. It's best to be patient and wait for the "walk" signal on the next phase. Remember, patience is a virtue. The steady red "don't walk" signal signal means that the green light is about to turn to amber and the traffic you are crossing in front of will soon get the green light. Mr. McMullen mentioned another point during his call. Apparently motorists, finding pedestrians still on the roadway roadway when the "don't walk" signal is flashing, are giving pedestrians a hard time. Rude remarks and gestures, horn blowing, and forcing the person person off the roadway, arc some of the things pedestrians have encountered. The motorists involved were usually impatiently impatiently waiting to make a right or left turn. Drivers must realize, if a pedestrian lawfully lawfully (with the walk signal or green light) entered the roadway roadway in order to cross, he or she may continue crossing even if the light changes. As long as the pedestrian Is crossing crossing as quickly and reasonably reasonably as possible (walking not running), the pedestrian has the RIGHT OF WAY over drivers wanting to cross their path. Recent Ontario figures show that about one In every five people killed In traffic, and one In every is injured In traffic Is a pedestrian. Also, children 15 and under plus senior citizens 05 and over, account for almost half of pedestrians fatalities and injuries. injuries. The safest place to cross the street Is at an Intersection, Intersection, If there arc lights, use them properly while always remembering to check the traffic before stepping off the curb. Remember it's no good to be "dead" and "right". ■sslil MSB II ggg^g Ü8i*i OBÉI To make our communities a better place to live. Imagine our communities without THE RED CROSS, C.N.I.B., Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. or what if COMMUNITY CARE and THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED and CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOC, suddenly ceased to operate? Think of the suffering and distress if THE VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES, ST. JOHN AMBULANCE SOCIETY and SIMCOE HALL CHILDREN'S CENTRE could no longer provide the services our communities have become accustomed to relying on . . . Residents of Oshawa, Whitby and The Town of Newcastle from every walk of life, volunteer thousands of hours of time and energy each year to make our communities a better place to live and work. Your UNITED WAY and the 42 agencies supported by Your UNITED WAY gift, draw upon individual skills and talents of these dedicated people daily to provide the community services whenever and wherever the need exists. Your UNITED WAY needs YOUR SUPPORT NOW to make sure our 42 agencies continue to meet the needs of our ever expanding communities. Your generous, once a year gift NOW, guarantees these agencies and their numerous services and programs will be here IF AND WHEN YOU NEED THEM. Our 1987 Community need is $2,150,000. Thank you for caring. ill ^ O 1086 WORLD RECORDS Usod by Psrmiaaic». OF OSHAWA - WHITBY - NEWCASTLE 62 SIMCOE ST. SOUTH, OSHAWA, ONTARIO L1 H 4Q3 728-0203 Charitable Registration No. 0359166-05-13 1