The Crosswalks of Life Printed October 15, 2003

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"Going down the highway, doing 64..." Fill in whatever childish phrase next, and while the idea of going 64 mph down a highway is like going snails pace, these days you don't have to go too far, or even to a highway, to find people going insane speeds around Oneonta. How many times have you waited, and waited...and waited to cross the roads around campus? Despite the fact that it is not against the law in many places, including Oneonta State, for drivers to stop at every crosswalk unless signs are posted, there is still a problem that needs to be addressed to those driving around on campus. There is definitely an issue with speeding mixed with college students on this campus. Whether these people who decide that it's cool to go 60 mph in a 20 mph speed limit zone are under the influence of a substance or stupidity, it has come to the point of unsafe insanity on these roads. In actuality, it really isn't that cool to press the posted speed limit. It's posted there for an obvious reason: safety. If you are someone who can't see that obvious reason, maybe you should think twice about getting behind a wheel, because I would sure think more than twice about getting into a car with you driving it. What is the deal with drivers deciding to ignore crosswalks and those trying to cross them, and even those who are trying to cross the road; why do they think that they always have the right away? Guess what? It's a two-way fellowship of the road, which means that cars and people have to SHARE. Yes, it's time to go back to preschool where we all learned that sharing is a good thing, unless it's the cooties (which is something you learned in third grade). If you're crossing the road and you can see a car coming, don't be a dummy and try to beat it, because you never know how fast it's really going. Here's a question for those behind the wheel, "Is it hard to miss people on crosswalks, or crosswalks in general?" Perhaps it's just that people in general are being less courteous these days. It's when the drivers sacrifice respect and safety for their childish, immature behavior and (conceivably) their own lack of time management, if they put the petal to the metal to get to a class on time. I think it might be time for a long overdue unofficial driver's ed. lesson on what to do when attempting to share the road with others. Rule #1: Do unto others as you would have them do to do unto you. It's the good old cliche that never seems to go away. It may be an outdated phrase, but just think that someday, you could be the one crossing the road and some maniac will come rocketing around the corner just barely missing your body or even worse, splashing a mud puddle onto your precious Versace shoes. Two words: Bad karma. Rule #2: Driving is a privilege, not a right.

I can rant and rave all I want here and bore you to death about this, but I'm sure you all have heard this phrase a million plus times. I know I'm not alone when people get ticked off at the fortunate people with cars who then abuse their rights on the road. The issue is not having a car; it's the fact that many of these people aren't even watching what they're doing as they cruise 70 miles an hour around a blind corner, such as the one by Hunt Union. You know who you are, just be careful, especially if you're walking trying to get to class or the Union. Rule #3: Be aware, they're watching! I bet many of you have thought, "Well, there's no one watching, no cops around," proceeded to watch the speedometer go to 60-65 in a 20 mph zone and then of course, what happens? You see the red and blue lights flashing in your rear-view mirror, another few points are added to your license, and then your insurance increases. Was it worth it? Did you get to where you had to go any faster? You never know the risk you take as you whip up the dust and debris on the road. It could be someone like your best friend on the curb trying to cross the road, and being the bonehead you are, you speed and don't see what's ahead of you; obviously a bad situation for everybody. If you practice safe driving, you have a lot less to worry about then if you're an aggressive driver, or even just in a hurry. You're better being a little late to something than driving recklessly and putting everyone in harms way. It's not even a matter of being courteous; it is just having common sense on the road for both drivers and pedestrians. It's a fact that everyone thinks that they are a better driver than everyone else, and I'm only giving common sense as advice for drivers and pedestrians. After all, it's the best I can do until I get a car on campus. In the meanwhile, to the drivers: It doesn't matter whether you drive a sports car, pickup truck, van, bus, tractor, either way you should be nice to your co-inhibitors of the road and keep the Evil Knievel-like moves to the professionals; and to the walkers: Watch the road, and use your good judgment when crossing! Also, don't get too peeved at other people's "poor" driving skills, because you never know what the situation is behind the closed car doors. Keep safe and drive happy!