I'll drop in my two cents (from being in it 45 hours a week)
Probably the single largest influence in reducing pedestrian and bicycle
accidents would be for pedestrians and bicyclists to maintain control of
their own safety, rather than ``depending on the kindness of
strangers''. This is a no-fault type of thing. If you don't put
yourself in danger, you are far less likely to be involved in an
accident. I'm not saying stay off the roads and sidewalks, just not to
push the envelope too hard. Stop, look, listen...every time. If you
are bicycling, be consistent and follow the traffic laws. Always give
yourself an out (i.e. always consider what might happen if the other
person doesn't do what they ought to). One of the reasons I have had NO
accidents while driving for Muni is that I don't TRUST anyone to do the
right thing...ever, so I am always paying attention to my
surroundings...I was able to prevent a possible accident this week when
two other drivers were both doing the same illegal and unsafe move, at
excessive speed in opposite directions...because I was already expecting
them both to do something stupid.
Situation: Hermann at Fillmore Westbound. Bus in traffic lane starting
to make right turn (curb bus zone 75% clear) onto Fillmore. Bicyclist
southbound on Fillmore, high speed, no signal, no stop (for stopsign).
Motorcycle on Herman tailgating bus. You guessed it, both the bicycle
and the motorcycle attempt to occupy the diminishing 6 foot wide space
on my right at speed. I honk and stop...bicyclist makes it up the
handicapped ramp onto the sidewalk, motorcycle stops. If I hadn't been
paying attention, quite possibly the bicycle and motocycle would have
collided with each other, the bus or both, with injuries ranging from
none(bus), minor(motorcycle) to serious(bicycle).
Playing games with the rules of right-of-way...
This is what I call `being dead right'
Courtesy...
taking turns, indicating your intentions, etc. improves traffic flow
and attitudes.
Enough for now
Robert Parks
22-Fillmore
(today is Friday...sunday, that is)