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For many years now I have noticed that drivers have lost respect for the right of way of pedestrians. I‘ve had many close calls with cars myself and I am an able bodied adult. It appears that driver aggression, as studies report, is continuing to increase. I think it is ultimately a case of values, misplaced values in our society that have bred this dangerous dilemma facing all pedestrians, but especially our most vulnerable walkers.
Speed and living life at an accelerated rate are the values of today’s society. We are also filling our lives with too many distractions. The use of cell phones while driving has increased dramatically and in correlation, so have accidents.
However, the thing that disturbs me the most about the driving abuses in crosswalks is the lack of respect I see among individuals. Why are we not respecting each other? Why don’t we respect the basic human right of safety? Why are we not considering that “other life” in a way that molds and affects our behavior?
Violence in all forms of entertainment continues to increase; movies, television, computer games, etc. Many families no longer attend any organized religious services and fail to talk about spiritual values and how they are connected to moral values. Manners and chivalry are in decline. It amazes me how often I go to a store and I am not thanked by the employee after making a purchase.
And the rapid increase in technology has bred an impatient society that is intolerant of waiting. Speed is everything in technology, but sadly, the dark side of this is that we are becoming a culture of attention deficit individuals. Patience may be a virtue, but there is a real absence of it in a culture that values efficiency over human beings and relationships.
We all need to slow down, to look and pay attention to those sacred souls in crosswalks, but we also need a rigorous examination of our values and how they are manifested in our daily behavior.
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| AS A NON-DRIVER, I AGREE W/SHIRLEE. WE ARE LIVING IN A NON-INTERACTIVE SOCIETY. TOO MANY DISTRACTIONS INTERUPT OUR LIVES TO THE POINT WE HAVE NO TIME FOR LOOKING OUT FOR OUR FELLOW MAN. IF EXPOSED TO THE DANGER, THE WALKER MUST TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS TO AVOID BECOMING AN INJURY STATISTIC. THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENTS SHIRLEE. HAVE A SAFE DAY. |
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| madam - i agree with your sentiment - but not with the entire text of your blog. i drive for a living and often get honked at and flipped off for yielding to pedestrians.
however, i fail to see where entertainment is really a factor in determiniing how people behave, nor do i believe religious persons are the only ones capable of decent behaviour. remarks of that sort offend and alienate me, a donor(as much as i can be) - for i am an atheist and an avid computer gamer.
i cherish my elder parents and all seniors, and i walk to work myself - i just don't like seeing false issues raised here - i am uncertain where the blame for such bad behavior lies, but i am certain there is no easy answer to that. |
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| Your column reminded me of one day in the late 80's when I was crossing Cleveland Ave. (four + lanes) in the crosswalk and heard the sound of screeching brakes. I looked up to see a car fishtailing towards me and finallly stopping a few feet from me. The problem is even worse today, with cel phones and other distractions. and the "me, mine" mentality of so many. I would be honored to participate in yourTake Back the Streets March.
Diane, Instilling moral values in families is NOT a religious issue, but should be a very important part of everyones upbringing. Lay the blame for bad behaviour on those who just don't give a dam. Decency and manners are indeed becoming a rarity in today's society. Nowadays, I am more surprised when courtesy is shown, than when it's not.
Shirlee, please keep me posted on the March. |
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| Thank you Shirlee for highlighting the issue of safety and courtesy. I personally do not take offense to comparing spiritual values to moral values. In theory they may not be the same, but in effect I too see them linked. I look forward to attending the March, would like to add a word of caution to pedestrians. You are the little guy here. Just because the light is green, don't make any assumptions. |
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Thanks for the thoughtful article. This is a huge topic. Here are a few observations.
We live in an auto-centric society. Our communities, our very lives, have been so structured around the automobile that it has become an extension of our psyches. Our constant use and attachment to these multi-ton, powerful creatures also makes them almost as extensions of our own bodies. Over time, as they have become more comfortable, more insulated and more powerful, they have also become more like an additional, private living room. A place where one can conduct business, have long conversations, eat breakfast, lunch or dinner, engage in arguments, freak out, and anything else that has absolutely nothing to do with safely driving a potentially lethal vehicle while I am crossing the street. Its an old story. Unless we work to maintain the common good, the technology we create to serve us eventually becomes the master we serve. Although I know it's unlikely, I believe some of these driving activities should be illegal and heavily fined. Thanks for this opportunity to throw in my two cents.
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| People need to be responsible for themselves! |
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