Pedestrians must have courtesy
Jackie Marshall
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Opinion
Would you walk in front of a moving vehicle? It seems most would answer no, but here at Lock Haven University, there are some that may disagree.
I'm not saying that folks on campus just like to practice extreme measures when walking, I'm talking about something else; courtesy. Most of the commuter drivers such as myself may have noticed this.
In any of the parking lots here on campus, you of course have students walking to and from classes. No problem with that of course. The problem lies in the fact that when a person walks, they should be aware of their surroundings, or at least be concerned of them.
I have on several occasions been in the parking lots circling like a hungry vulture for a spot when it happens: a person will walk out of nowhere right in front of you. It's like a fast moving zombie who is driven to get to class on time.
I have come very close to an accident on more than one occasion. But is this problem due to time constraints? I think not. I think it is just plain courtesy.
Now, you may say, courtesy? What does courtesy have to do with possibly getting injured? Everything. I don't do that. I'm a student that tries to be aware of my surroundings and others.
My mother and father instilled in me a long time ago that you should be aware of others and to do unto others as you would have done to you. I have noticed this lack of courtesy away from the car as well. How many of you have opened a door to walk in or out of a building, and ten others rudely squeeze in front of you as if you're a doorman?
I could not in my wildest dreams do that or just walk where cars drive and not such much as flinch. No, instead I stop, I look and I wait for someone to stop. I feel it would be rude to make everyone wait for me. It also helps that I don't like the idea of getting struck.
Yes, I know the rule, pedestrians have the right of way, that's true, but it's not to be taken to the extreme.
I'm not saying that folks on campus just like to practice extreme measures when walking, I'm talking about something else; courtesy. Most of the commuter drivers such as myself may have noticed this.
In any of the parking lots here on campus, you of course have students walking to and from classes. No problem with that of course. The problem lies in the fact that when a person walks, they should be aware of their surroundings, or at least be concerned of them.
I have on several occasions been in the parking lots circling like a hungry vulture for a spot when it happens: a person will walk out of nowhere right in front of you. It's like a fast moving zombie who is driven to get to class on time.
I have come very close to an accident on more than one occasion. But is this problem due to time constraints? I think not. I think it is just plain courtesy.
Now, you may say, courtesy? What does courtesy have to do with possibly getting injured? Everything. I don't do that. I'm a student that tries to be aware of my surroundings and others.
My mother and father instilled in me a long time ago that you should be aware of others and to do unto others as you would have done to you. I have noticed this lack of courtesy away from the car as well. How many of you have opened a door to walk in or out of a building, and ten others rudely squeeze in front of you as if you're a doorman?
I could not in my wildest dreams do that or just walk where cars drive and not such much as flinch. No, instead I stop, I look and I wait for someone to stop. I feel it would be rude to make everyone wait for me. It also helps that I don't like the idea of getting struck.
Yes, I know the rule, pedestrians have the right of way, that's true, but it's not to be taken to the extreme.
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