[Rescue Muni] Dead Right

Robert T. Parks (rparks@linneaus.com)
Fri, 30 Oct 1998 09:55:04 -0800

>Drivers need to share more of the responsibility. They need to _slow down_ in any area where there are pedestrians or bicyclists. I repeat: if a pedestrian gets hit, since they are by definition not doing anything dangerous, they are not at fault. The driver, who is doing something that is very dangerous, bears sole responsibility, and if they failed to see, they were going _too fast_.

Actually, they are. I can accept the paragraph if the phrase `if
pedestrian takes minimal responsibility'. There are plenty of places
where pedestrians should NOT be at any time. If I am mid-block on 16th
btw Folsom and Harrison at night, and you run out in front of me without
warning, I WILL run you over. Legally, the pedestrian is protected,
also, legally, the driver is protected...and is not at fault...however,
the pedestrian is dead.

And this is San Francisco...there are pedestrians and bicyclists
everywhere 24/7.

Robert Parks
22-Fillmore