Jaywalkers risk their own lives and others'
To say that jaywalkers are irresponsible is an understatement.
Mon, May 05, 2008
my paper
IT GRIEVES me whenever I read about fatal road accidents involving jaywalkers.
To say that jaywalkers are irresponsible is an understatement.
Their action not only destroys their own lives, but also those of other parties involved in the accident.
The impact of their callous attitude towards jaywalking goes beyond the sorrow felt by their loved ones.
It also has dire consequences for the driver who hits them.
Besides, it costs taxpayers' money as the state has to pursue the matter in a court of law.
I do not own a car and I always make sure that I cross the road at designated crossings.
This means walking a few more steps to a pedestrian crossing and spending a few extra minutes waiting for the 'green man'.
I accept such minor inconveniences as I want to be safe and be able to see my family at the end of each day.
Of course, the death of jaywalkers is sometimes a result of careless or inattentive driving on the motorists' part.
But the question is, can pedestrians still expect to have the right of way when they jaywalk?
A young acquaintance of mine who was booked for jaywalking had casually brushed it off as bad luck - everyone was doing it but she was the one who got booked.
She even had the cheek to appeal against the summons.
The next time you are about to jaywalk, please stop and think before you do it, as it could destroy not only your life, but others' as well.
Mr Soo Weng Loong
Source http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Mailbox/Story/A1Story20080505-63390.html
To say that jaywalkers are irresponsible is an understatement.
Mon, May 05, 2008
my paper
IT GRIEVES me whenever I read about fatal road accidents involving jaywalkers.
To say that jaywalkers are irresponsible is an understatement.
Their action not only destroys their own lives, but also those of other parties involved in the accident.
The impact of their callous attitude towards jaywalking goes beyond the sorrow felt by their loved ones.
It also has dire consequences for the driver who hits them.
Besides, it costs taxpayers' money as the state has to pursue the matter in a court of law.
I do not own a car and I always make sure that I cross the road at designated crossings.
This means walking a few more steps to a pedestrian crossing and spending a few extra minutes waiting for the 'green man'.
I accept such minor inconveniences as I want to be safe and be able to see my family at the end of each day.
Of course, the death of jaywalkers is sometimes a result of careless or inattentive driving on the motorists' part.
But the question is, can pedestrians still expect to have the right of way when they jaywalk?
A young acquaintance of mine who was booked for jaywalking had casually brushed it off as bad luck - everyone was doing it but she was the one who got booked.
She even had the cheek to appeal against the summons.
The next time you are about to jaywalk, please stop and think before you do it, as it could destroy not only your life, but others' as well.
Mr Soo Weng Loong
Source http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Mailbox/Story/A1Story20080505-63390.html