tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post6208028723764490466..comments2024-02-27T12:03:02.477-05:00Comments on Ruth Harrigan Artist: Road rage and wheelchairs: enforcing pedestrian lawsRuthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00170658770134559035noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-89269808787504276602008-05-03T01:12:00.000-04:002008-05-03T01:12:00.000-04:00Jeez, and I thought I had it bad cycling. I guess...Jeez, and I thought I had it bad cycling. I guess the greater the disparity in power, the easier it becomes to abuse the weak.<BR/><BR/>Cyclists are at least legally recognized as vehicular traffic.Arkanabar Ilarsadinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00098504849466846551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-29570000534527009762008-04-09T17:20:00.000-04:002008-04-09T17:20:00.000-04:00Today when I went over there, a driver stopped pol...Today when I went over there, a driver stopped politely and let me cross. I looked over and saw a police car in the parking lot who happened to be watching the area - who was in the driver's line of vision. It sure was nice to get a break from being afraid to cross! I do think policing drivers and an occasional visible presence helps - if nothing else, it can make people slow down and perhaps a few tickets for drivers here and there sends a message.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00170658770134559035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-13801985511492491282008-04-09T16:50:00.000-04:002008-04-09T16:50:00.000-04:00My two cents. I don't think that some drivers will...My two cents. I don't think that some drivers will yield to wheelchairs. They drive like they're playing a video game and are frustrated by objects in their way and a wheelchair is just another object.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-23783727442741567242008-04-09T11:21:00.000-04:002008-04-09T11:21:00.000-04:00hotw: I remember that you got hit last year :(Nanc...hotw: I remember that you got hit last year :(<BR/><BR/>Nancy: I think it's about education and pushing for laws that protect wheelchair users. There are instances where current pedestrian laws aren't enforced but also where the laws conflict with the ADA - for example, if a town/city is not in compliance with the ADA with sidewalk repair, often a settlement will allow wheelchair users to go in the street even if a pedestrian law doesn't allow it until access is provided. The same should be true if snow is not removed. <BR/><BR/>In any event, laws need to be applied to everyone - for safety reasons. And we should all read the local laws so we're familiar with them and work toward changing what's unworkable.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00170658770134559035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-7414994584237550912008-04-09T11:10:00.000-04:002008-04-09T11:10:00.000-04:00"(This has also happened at less trafficked inters..."(This has also happened at less trafficked intersections, by the way, where people "push" my wheelchair with their front bender while I'm still in the crossroads.)"<BR/><BR/>Reading your post I was struck by the fact that if a car 'pushed' a walking pedestrian with their front bumper that would be considered assault with a deadly weapon or at the very least an accident. <BR/><BR/>Why is it that people have blinders on when they see someone in a wheelchair? They forget the person and just look at the tool they're using to get around. <BR/><BR/>It's all about education, I guess...one knucklehead at a time... ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31220410.post-78318471290822846372008-04-09T10:10:00.000-04:002008-04-09T10:10:00.000-04:00I was hit in my wheelchair so I'm always glad to s...I was hit in my wheelchair so I'm always glad to see this talked about. The guy who hit me blamed me which still blows my mind. I think it's hard to get some people to take responsibility for the fact that they're operating a two ton car that can smash us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com