Waverley and Red River Road

While the car-lights streaky-thing is a bit cliché I love the green flashing light that is going by in the image.

While setting up my camera, a pedestrian headed down the hill to downtown Port Arthur stopped before walking by. They were concerned that they would ruin the photo. I showed them a couple of examples of what I was doing and assured them that the flashing green light they were wearing ('cause drivers be crazy (and distracted)) would add to the photo.  This is just what was needed.

As an aside, I don't often wear lights when walking but do wear a high visibility vest day and night and have additional large reflective strips attached to my pack. I think it is a good idea. However, I do object to those writing letters to the editor in the local paper about pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night - it has been my experience that if drivers actually stopped and looked before crossing the sidewalk they would see me and other pedestrians. The worst is walking on the left side of the street with drivers turning right at stop signs or red lights who just look for traffic over their left shoulder and never look right to see if pedestrians are approaching on the sidewalk. And then they think you're demented when you wave your arms so they see you.

As a member of Strong Towns I agree that relying on enforcement of traffic laws for individual drivers does little to help improve the safety of our cities and towns. We need better design. Yet, there is no escaping the fact that when you are piloting a 3,000 - 5,000 lb killing machine you have an ethical and legal responsibility to follow the rules, including stopping and watching for pedestrians wearing dark clothing. It it's dark outside then your responsibility to drive slower and look more carefully at every intersection increases. Blaiming pedestians and cyclists is not appropriate from your warm/cool comfortable seat protected by a steel cage, seat belts, and airbags.