Pedestrian Safety

Original post made by pogo, Woodside: other, on Dec 15, 2014

At about 5:30pm last night, my daughter and I were driving South along Alameda de las Pulgas in Menlo Park. As we approached Gordon Avenue in front of Lu Lu’s Restaurant, I came to an abrupt halt as two pedestrians suddenly appeared in the crosswalk in front of my car. I was not speeding.

I realized that my inability to see these two people was impacted by two factors. First, both people - a father and his young son, I suspect - were wearing dark clothing. That is not their fault, but it didn't help that they were walking in a poorly lit area at night.

The second factor is that as these two pedestrians entered the crosswalk in front of Lu Lu’s, they necessarily walked in front of Northbound cars on the Alameda. Rather than “lighting up” these pedestrians, the headlights of those Northbound cars blinded me as I was traveling South. I did not even see either of them until the young boy was well into my lane and in front of my headlights. To the father’s credit, he pulled his son back as I slowed. I was able to stop well short of the crosswalk but I have to admit I didn’t see either of them until the son appeared in the crosswalk directly in front of me.

As if to further emphasize this problem, the same thing happened to us as we observed pedestrians jaywalking from Nordstrom’s to the main part of Stanford Shopping Center (not using the crosswalk at the traffic light!). As I exited the Stanford Shopping Center parking lot by making a right turn in front of Wilkes Bashford, I changed lanes to make a left on Sand Hill Road only to find a jaywalking man in dark clothes standing frozen in the MIDDLE of the left lane I was entering... in the absolute darkness. Brilliant!

I bring this problem to everyone’s attention because my daughter has eyes like a hawk and she didn’t see either of them either. If this can happen to us – driving slowly and obeying all laws – it can happen to anyone. Pedestrians have a responsibility to act safely and do what they can to be seen.

Comments

Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Dec 15, 2014 at 11:03 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

"were wearing dark clothing. That is not their fault,"

I disagree. Anyone who walks at night should wear light colored clothing and/or reflective items.
The best drivers simply cannot see a person in all dark clothing and those individuals are placing themselves at risk. The may have the "right" to wear dark clothing but they may well be dead "wrong" because they do so.

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Posted by Voting in Menlo
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Dec 15, 2014 at 12:05 pm

"were wearing dark clothing. That is not their fault"

Heh. Yeah, not their fault. Okay.

Seriously, when I see someone in dark clothing at night, and they choose to cross a street at night, the thought process that goes through my mind is: "okay, I'll obviously avoid them when/if I see them, but this person has clearly decided that the burden of avoiding a car is on themselves, rather than expecting a driver to see them in time to avoid them."

My eyes are good enough to pass the DMV test, but not good enough to see someone who wants to hide from me.

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Posted by Ms. Walker
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Dec 15, 2014 at 12:27 pm

Interesting conversation. As someone who 1) engages in daily postprandial walks, which this time of year means an after-dark walk, and 2) simply doesn't own any light-colored clothing, I can assure you that I fit the above-poster's description of a walker who knows "that the burden of avoiding a car is on themselves, rather than expecting a driver to see them in time to avoid them." I carry a flashlight, and I NEVER walk into a cross walk if a car is approaching. But even in broad daylight, I find (based on many years of experience) walking defensively as important as driving defensively.

In all fairness to the dad, he was watching out for his son. But thanks, Pogo, for the words of caution. The next next mom or dad might be too busy gazing at her/his cellphone to react in time.

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Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Dec 15, 2014 at 1:13 pm
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

Here is what the DMV says:

"How can pedestrians help prevent injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes?

Pedestrians should increase their visibility at night by carrying a flashlight when walking and by wearing retro-reflective clothing.
Whenever possible, pedestrians should cross the street at a designated crosswalk or intersection.
It is much safer to walk on a sidewalk, but if a sidewalk is not available, pedestrians should walk on the shoulder and facing traffic."

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