Note: The writer of this post is 13 years old.
Today’s post isn’t going to be a coherent one, but – as you guessed, a rant. But it’s a rant I’m sure everyone can agree with, especially drivers.
As I can’t drive, I don’t know many problems about driving and silly motorists, but I do know that so many people crossing the road and riding bikes are not paying attention when they go on the road. Not everyone is like this I know, but it’s an issue I’ve wanted to talk about for a long time.
Silly cyclists
So, let’s talk about silly cyclists first. Normal bicycle gear is: a bike (obviously), a helmet and a high-vis jacket if it’s night time. So why do people feel the need not to wear a helmet or reflective clothing? Do they find that helmets look silly? Well Superman looks silly and saves people’s lives, the Doctor looks silly and saves the universe, bicycle helmets look silly but they save people from serious injury and death. If someone falls on their head while cycling, two things might happen:
- They wear a helmet and the helmet protects their brain and head from damage.
- They don’t wear a helmet and crack their head, go to hospital and have to spend months having their head stitched together.
It’s even worse on the road. Lots of cars drive at night and in winter it gets dark quickly. A bright green jumper will not help drivers see where cyclists are. A reflective jacket will let the car headlights pick up where people are. It’s just common sense!
Silly pedestrians
BUT, silly pedestrians are even worse. Sometimes when I’m in the car, I see people run across roads right in front of a car. I used to run across roads but that was when no cars were around. When there are traffic lights, people still run (or even walk casually) across a road without using traffic lights. I’m sure wherever they need to go isn’t SO important that they have to endanger their lives. Just imagine what their friends think.
The story of Fred and Jim
Let’s get some examples. We’ll call them Fred and Jim. Fred is the stupid one, Jim is the smart one.
Fred: Oh man, I HAVE to get the newest football magazine even though I could buy it later!
Jim: Well, there’s the traffic lights. Let’s cross!
Fred: But they’re all the way up there!
Jim: It’s thirty seconds to walk up there though!
Fred: But it’s easier to run across the road where lots of cars will be going quite fast!
Jim: But the traffic lights will mean we can cross safely.
Fred: BUT, we’ll waste thirty seconds walking up to the lights, another ten seconds waiting for the lights to go green and then walk across!
Jim: But it’s safer. I’m walking to the lights!
Fred: BUT I DON’T WANNA WAIT 40 SECONDS TO CROSS THE ROAD!
Jim: Well, it’s your problem if you get whacked by a car.
Fred: Well, I’ll run! WHEEEEEEEEEE SPLAT!
A bit extreme I know, but people need to pay more attention when crossing the road and cycling, otherwise something serious is going to happen and there will be dire consequences.
Editor’s note: The original version of A rant on silly pedestrians was published on 22nd February 2014 in Ben Williams’s World.
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On Hursley Road, a lot of people ignore the traffic lights near Lloyds Pharmacy, and would cross the road dangerously. Near the bend at Mead Road and Hursley Road junction, some pedestrians would cross the road there to try get to get to the train station. I agree with you that some people are not very sensible.
The council does what it can to keep people safe by providing crossing points and zebra crossings but you cannot protect people from their own stupidity. I have seen people cross Winchester Road 15 feet from the zebra crossing.
As for cyclists and children on scooters, they whizz along the pavement seemingly unaware that many cars have to reverse out of driveways!
On behalf of Eastleigh Lions Club, I agree wholeheartedly, and believe the youthful contributor is likely to be a future candidate for our “Young Ambassador of the 21st Century” awards in the future. One of our club’s recently sponsored entrants became the youngest female to have climbed Everest, and is now at University!
Hi Dave,
Thank you for your very kind comment and encouragement. I’ve passed it on to Ben (who happens to be my son 🙂 ).
We have visited the website of the Lions Club of Eastleigh, and learned about your young ambassador Rebecca Bellworthy. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story with us.
We’d love to learn more of the Lions Club of Eastleigh, so please continue to share stories and events with us. Thanks.