The spike in pedestrian accidents is no surprise to me. The real surprise is that it took so long to become apparent. The problem is with the barrage of TV ads telling drivers to look out for pedestrians. While those ads have had a positive effect on the drivers, it has the opposite effect on pedestrians. The ads have told the pedestrians that drivers are 100 percent responsible for their safety.

I used to see pedestrians standing on the sidewalk waiting for a break in the traffic before they start across the road. No more, they now walk out without looking.

Of the three users of the roads, drivers in their cars are the least maneuverable. Bicycles are second and pedestrians are the most maneuverable.

What is needed is a balanced ad campaign to educate pedestrians and bicyclist on the safe way to use the roads. Things like, “Do not run in crosswalks, drivers do not have time to react if you run.”

Most drivers are sensitized to pedestrians; now educate the other users of the road on how to be safe.

Glen Houlton

Waipahu

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