Opinion

(OPED) Loose Ends: Pedestrian Thoughts

MEEKER | As another school year begins, I have been having pedestrian thoughts. Literally, thoughts about walking. Trying to cross a busy street in both rural and urban areas these days can be a nightmare for one reason—texting while driving. 

While there are specific zones set aside for walkers, everyone is so distracted by their cell phones they sometimes screech to a stop halfway through. Other times they run the crosswalks.  As a regular ambler,  I have noticed a specific phenomenon that only happens when someone is looking down at their device. They don’t appear to hear any noises or see movements outside the car, much less pay attention to movement or noises inside the vehicle.

There was a time quite a long time ago that pedestrians did not have to worry at all. There weren’t many of us and little traffic. One of my students asked her mother why she saw me walking everywhere in all kinds of weather. “She is walking to stay fit and healthy” one mother reported answering.  Not many people knew that I didn’t have a drivers license in those early years living here and hated to drive, as well I overheard one of the guests at a local meet and greet describe me as Meeker’s newest “Earth Mother”, as I took off my muddy boots on the mat near the front door.

   It was amid one boom year that Meeker experienced a visible challenge with the town’s streets. The heavy truck traffic on Market Street made it difficult to cross, so one would come upon small groups of children waiting for the moment to attempt to cross and be on time for school. The times of a recent boom slipped away, The new elementary school’s location increased the number of students riding the bus, and the daily pedestrian count dwindled.

It would be helpful if the statistics collected over the years could include the number of people who use their feet as their main source of transportation, as well as the number of accidents involving cell phone use. Maybe someone has already assembled some kind of a record of this, but most people won’t admit that they looked away from the windshield to just check who tried to call them.  It is especially tricky to prove when there aren’t enough pedestrians around to notice the license plate numbers and make of the vehicle. Most walkers wear their headphones on and their cell phones close at hand.

The safety of the youngest pedestrians among us has been compromised by the increased use of devices by the adults charged with the authority to get them to and from school. Bus drivers and school staff tell stories of close calls with students both coming and going to school.  These stories started shortly before the new elementary school was built, but continued to increase each year. One might think the new location would be ideal as it was not in the center of town,  yet the rapid growth of cell phone usage all over the country has continued to churn out an even bigger share of digitally addicted adults. The list of excuses used regularly for school-related problems have taken on a whole new dimension.

“Officer, I was waiting here all the time. It is the other driver’s fault.”

That is often the first excuse someone in charge hears after an incident has occurred. Parents have been telling students “listen and learn” for years. Teachers are now telling parents at the beginning of every school year about the safety hazards of kids traveling to school by foot, bicycle, car or bus. It’s time for us to take a little time out and see what really happens during that first week of school. All of us would do well to remember another old-fashioned saying, “Watch and learn.”

By Dolly Viscardi | Special to the Herald Times

2 Comments

  1. We’ve been here just over 3 years and it boggles my mind that there is not better signage nor better crosswalks along Market St which in fact is a state highway running through Meeker. I often cross to the park with my kids and find the crosswalks insufficient. The crosswalks are barely visible and more than not ppl do not stop to let ppl cross. I’ve even had Police and or Sheriffs not stop either. Wouldn’t take much to put flashing crossing signs and add crosswalks to the areas where ppl actually want to cross and make it much safer!

  2. I totally agree. It’s astonishing that no one stops at crosswalks in this town. And it’s not all related to use of devices.

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@ht.1885
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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
2 days ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Meeker FFA Chapter members competed at the District Leadership Development Event in Craig, Colorado, this month. Top row from left to right: Eva Scritchfield, Charlie Rogers, Alan Rivera, Trent Sanders, Koy Weber, Orion Musser, Said Rodriguez, Carlos Carrillo, Aidan Tapia, Hayden Garcia, Tristan Rollins, Mathew Willey, Quentin Simpson. Middle row: Sidney Keetch, Aurora Stallings, Sydnie Ross, Ava Nay, Lili Piper, Leah Wood. Bottom Row: Jaicee Simmons, Kailynn Watson, Cody Richardson, Kayla Castillo, Braydin Raley, Autumn Stallings, Aimee Shults, Emily Hamm. Read the full story online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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