Starting August 14, 2012, motorists in Orlando can be cited by police if they drive through a crosswalk when a pedestrian happens to be present. This makes sense at stop lights. I understand the reason is to provide a safe environment for pedestrians.
But, how about some accountability for the pedestrians, especially at crosswalks not at stop lights? Florida Statute 316.130 governs pedestrians. There seems, however, to be no common sense provision (read: look both ways). As long as there is a crosswalk, with or without signage, a pedestrian may bolt into the street without looking for oncoming traffic.
I don’t know about you, but one of the first things I remember my parents teaching me was to look both ways before crossing the street. If I bolt into the street and get hit by a car, that’s my fault. I shouldn’t be so careless to think that I’m entitled to walk into the street at my leisure without first checking to see if peril is coming my way.
I’m not saying that vehicles shouldn’t yield to pedestrians already within the crosswalk. But, pedestrians should yield to vehicles before entering the crosswalk. Common sense should so dictate.
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