As I made my way home last night with my son, we had several near misses with cars going in and out of drive ways. I don't own a car and quite frankly, I'm OK with that. I live in a bike friendly city, and have no problem catching the bus when necessary.
What I do have a problem with is the car culture and how it so pervades the O.C. psyche that people don't even bother to watch out for people on the sidewalk. They pull out of the driveway, look one way, block the walk and don't even look for pedestrians. Which is why I teach the kid to be careful...especially at driveways. We wait to make sure one driver sees us, and another making a left almost hits us. We continue on only to deal with the same issue two driveways down. It's really ridiculous.
Some of you might think the obvious solution is for me to get a car. But that's hardly the right attitude to take. Why should I incur an expense I don't need, just to avoid being hit -- or almost hit -- when I'm walking home from the store? This carelessness on the part of drivers is dangerous, not just for me, but for kids, teenagers and anyone else walking down the street.
People without cars DO exist. And guess where they walk? On the sidewalk, because sidewalks are for people walking. All you have to do is remember to look both ways before pulling out of the driveway and check for pedestrians before making that left. Two simple things that make walking down the street safe for all involved.
Suggested Reading:
Bike Orange County
Romancing the O.C.
Best O.C. Attractions
Comments
Driveways are the #1 cause of bicycle accidents. It usually happens when a car is pulling onto the street from an alley. The two biggest tips I can give people is to ALWAYS slow down and look into the driveway before crossing it and to NEVER cross in front of a car that’s turning until the driver looks you in the eyes. I’m always amazed at how drivers are so shocked to see that someone who’s not in a car is waiting for them to move.
Learned a lesson living in a house with a long driveway that ends on a decline. BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY SO YOU R PULLING OUT INSTEAD OF BACKING OUT.