Readers React: Walking in L.A.

To the editor: It’s my opinion that pedestrians need to do their fair share to address the problem that you describe in this article. (“Crossing examination,” July 12)

I think The Times should have more prominently featured the “safety tips for pedestrians” sidebar.

In my many trips up and down the coastal streets from Redondo Beach to Santa Monica, it’s very common for me to confront pedestrians, skateboarders and cyclists who are so preoccupied that they do not even look before entering crosswalks or running stop signs.

They seem to assume a mantle of immortality and believe that they are kings of the crosswalks and parking lots, bearing no responsibility for their safe crossing.

Norm Zareski, Palos Verdes Estates

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To the editor: Are you kidding?

For years, and to no avail, I have been complaining to the traffic division about several intersections in mid-city, including Third Street and Fairfax Avenue.

The crosswalk on Third Street, near the popular Original Farmers Market, is extremely hazardous to pedestrians. Vehicles attempting to turn onto Fairfax drive right through groups of pedestrians crossing from opposing corners.

Impatient drivers attempting to turn right head straight in front of pedestrians as they step off the curb.

And then there is the matter of the Beverly/ Fairfax intersection.

As the phrase goes: “Come walk a mile in my shoes.”
I’ll buy coffee and doughnuts at Bob’s.

Toby Horn, Los Angeles

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To the editor: During the course of my workday I cross Sunset Boulevard at Vermont multiple times. Occasionally in recent years I have pulled back pedestrians, often on phones, who were about to walk in front of an oncoming car.

I personally do not step into a crosswalk until I have made eye contact with the right-turner who is driving into a crowded intersection.

Loretta Y. Howitt, Pasadena

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To the editor: Pedestrians now have to contend with more than just dangerous city intersections.

In recent years a new and steadily increasing danger confronts those on foot: bicyclists riding on sidewalks and making these dedicated walkways their own.
It’s time for our city’s leaders to give sidewalks back to the pedestrians by passing ordinances that ban bikes from the sidewalks.

David Schaffer, Woodland Hills

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To the editor: It is difficult to identify exact streets on the map on the front page, yet there appears to be a correlation between some Metro stations and accidents involving pedestrians.

Perhaps the best place to inform pedestrians about the dangers of certain intersections and to impart pedestrian safety tips would be on the train cars and in Metro stations.
Carla Jerome, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The diagonal pedestrian crossings encountered in Pasadena, Beverly Hills and Westwood near UCLA allow pedestrians to safely cross dense or busy intersections while requiring vehicular traffic to stop at red lights until the pedestrians have finished crossing.

This amounts to a designated pedestrian light where traffic comes to a complete stop while pedestrians have the right of way. The result is a safer and fairer method of controlling both walkers and drivers.

Admittedly this is not a universal solution, but it serves for well-traveled intersections.
Susan Waelder, North Hollywood