Pedestrians must be careful too

From My Say

MY PAPER FRIDAY JULY 11, 2008

 

RECENTLY, there has been a road safety campaign with advertisements featuring pedestrians of various age groups appealing to motorists to look out for them on the road.

 

I think the campaign is sending the wrong message to pedestrians.

 

While one of the major responsibilities of a motorist is to look out for pedestrians, the pedestrians should also be responsible for their own safety – they should look out for vehicles too.

 

I have seen many pedestrians crossing roads or walking in carparks while talking on their mobile phones without looking out for vehicles.

 

They take for granted that the cars will stop to let them cross. They do not consider the fact that their actions could force vehicles to brake suddenly.

 

Once, my brother was driving along a narrow side road when he spotted a mother pushing a stroller standing in the middle of the road, gesturing for her toddler, who was still on the pedestrian pavement, to join her in crossing the road.

 

My brother sounded the horn but was ignored. He had to stop his vehicle, thereby causing a minor traffic jam, before he could proceed.

 

I often see pedestrians who, despite seeing oncoming vehicles, still dash across the road. They might save a few minutes, but do so at the risk of injuring themselves and other road users.

 

Perhaps we could consider having a campaign featuring motorists appealing for pedestrians to look out for vehicles too.

 

Ms Yuen Mei Peng