St. Albert's new flashing-light crosswalks are a great improvement, but don’t compensate for the fact that drivers are only human and, more often than not, can’t stop on a dime. It isn’t unusual to see people jump into the road directly after pressing the light button, apparently in full confidence that drivers anticipate their presence and movement.
This is not a good idea. In the end, it is the pedestrian who takes the greater risk — flesh and bone being no match against moving steel, at any speed. But drivers’ lives can also be ruined, no matter how normally competent and responsible a driver they are.
Children on crosswalk patrol are better educated on the issue, and always wait for cars to stop completely before allowing pedestrian traffic. Ironically, they are models for many adults.
Doris Wrench Eisler, St. Albert
