Re: Jim Gerwing In Defence of James Bay Drivers

I felt this man's comments got too much press re: car drivers in James Bay. As a car driver, let me have some press.

I stop at crosswalks for pedestrians, but they regularly step into the crosswalk without looking left or right and then, when midway across, decide to jaywalk over to the other crosswalk. Thus they save a couple of steps and take command of the whole intersection.

I have to keep a close eye out for the many folk who can't be bothered to cross the street at the corner but meander over to the liquor store or New Horizons, and between Thrifty's and Pharmasave, often appearing from behind a large parked vehicle. My eyes must keep watch on both sides of the street and my foot must be close to the brake.

Then I must keep a watchful eye for the scooter operators who sometimes race down the middle of the street and other times roar along the sidewalk. I am amazed there aren't more accidents and I believe it is because motorists are very conscious of ill-trained scooter drivers and pedestrians with blinkers.

Let me make a comment about those who choose to ride bicycles. I stop at corners but rarely do bicyclists do the same. Usually they weave past on both the road and sidewalk, cut the corners, and give 'the finger' to any driver who suggests they may be breaking a law.

I think your complaints are not well thought out.

Don Hume