Use Common Sense in Crossing Streets

* I, like Susan Cuttriss of Fillmore (Letters to the Editor, Aug. 16), am saddened about the death of Travis Peterson. However, I must speak out as a driver for over 25 years.

Erringer Road as well as any busy street can be hazardous to pedestrians, whether they are on bicycles, skateboards or just walking; these pedestrians must use common sense when crossing. People can assume a false sense of security when there is a painted crosswalk--wrong! Pedestrians must look both ways again until it is clear enough to cross safely. I have seen (both as a driver and a pedestrian) children dart out from between cars or from crosswalks without even looking. I am not saying that Travis did not look carefully before crossing, only that his family should not be so quick to judge Penelope Reeps.

I just want to remind parents, children, neighbors and strangers to please look, look, look before crossing any street, be it a crosswalk, corner or even at a timed signal crossing.

MARIE C. NEDER

Simi Valley