Abingdon
Police Department
We’re Not Kitten Around About Pedestrian Safety
Hey, all you cool cats and kittens. Now that you
have more time on your hands, you may use this as an opportunity to escape the
zoo and get some free-range exercise. With the closing of the Virginia
Creeper Trail, pedestrian traffic will increase on primary and residential
streets. Before you take your tiger, dog, or child for a walk, make sure that
you know the pedestrian rules of the road.
If there is a sidewalk, please use it. However,
many streets do not have sidewalks. If no sidewalks exist, you should walk your
tiger on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic (on the same side
of the road as the oncoming traffic). If you are bicycling, you will need to
ride with the flow of traffic, on the right side of the road, operating under
the same rules as a passenger car or motorcycle.
Now, I’m sure that you’re asking, “Why is it safer to
walk my tiger on the same side of the road as oncoming traffic, while cyclists
ride with the flow of traffic?” When traffic approaches you from behind
while you are walking, you have only your ears to rely on to know it is coming.
It is often difficult to hear approaching cars over the tiger growling and
purring. Tigers do not have this problem. They have some of the
best hearing in the animal world. However, they probably won’t warn you of
approaching cars. Truthfully, they are probably hoping that you get hit
so they can eat you for dinner. If traffic is coming from in front of you, you
have both your eyes and your ears to help you know to move off to the side (or
even jump into the ditch). If you are walking in the early morning or late
afternoon, it is even more concerning, because drivers have the low-lying sun
in their eyes as they approach you. By the way, a tiger sees about as well as
you do during the day. At night, however, they are far superior.
Again, they probably won’t warn you of approaching cars; unless your tiger’s
name is, “Hobbs.”
You need to be vigilant. Avoid the dangers of
distracted walking, keep your eyes looking ahead, and looking for vehicles, not
on your mobile phone. You should always ensure you can hear ambient noise and
you aren't screening it all out with noise-canceling earphones or earbuds.
If you are walking at dawn, dusk, or after dark,
it is even more important to walk facing traffic. You should wear reflective
clothing. Consider wearing a flashing light, too.
*Truthfully, you should probably leave the tiger at
home. Virginia law prohibits owning exotic cats, but that is another
story…
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