Getting existential in the crosswalk

Yesterday two people who were blocking a crosswalk with their cars said to me:

I know I'm blocking the crosswalk. I'll just be a minute - I have to get somewhere.

And I was left wondering after they said this: Do they think pedestrians don't have to get somewhere, but are aimlessly wandering the streets, like Hollywood extras?



Some drivers just seem to be clueless, acting surprised if they see pedestrians who need to actually use the crosswalk -although I live in a town where there are lots of pedestrians. I think these are the same folks who are surprised by other things, like having to pay bills. If there are kids in the car, I've noticed they're generally screaming loudly for attention.

Once in a while I have real conversations with folks whose cars are sitting in the crosswalk. One woman told me she was on her way to a funeral and began to weep. It was a quiet street in the middle of nowhere so I rolled over and we talked.

But my favorite line was from a new young driver who looked at me as his car blocked the crosswalk and said "Oh man I'm not supposed to be here, am I?"

It can all get very existential out in the crosswalk.

[visual image of photo 1: A traffic crossing signal is shown with the image of a white stick figure indicating that the pedestrian has the right of way; visual image of photo 2: A car is shown passing through an intersection with a light. There is a crosswalk with a yellow pedestrian sign behind the car.]