To The Reader’s Forum:

Once again I witnessed a child nearly run over by a car as it backed from it’s parking space. Yes it is true that pedestrians have the right-of-way and cars must be kept under control.

However, it is a mistake to believe that challenging a 2,000 pound vehicle to read the law is possible. Although, I hear that it is being worked on as we speak. Most people are not really out to challenge the vehicle or the driver and I have seen several good examples: 1.) a lady with three small children and two hands and no babysitter. One child is in a cart and another is hanging onto the cart as was instructed but one is on the loose. It takes time and experience for a child to learn what is good and safe for them. 2.) the elderly person walking on ice and slush paying particular attention to placement of his/her feet and who does not hear well. I wonder who can even hear a running car engine these days? 3.) Any body else who is thinking everyone else should be watching out for him/her instead of sharing the load by taking careful precautions.

As we have concluded that the law of right-of-way will not save you until you win a lawsuit over your situation, I would like to suggest a new possibility for parking lots which would save everybody some sweat, frustration, and money including the insurance companies and their constituents who in the end pay for the claims. I suggest that in parking lots where the cars are in long double rows parked facing one another that the parking lot owners make a sidewalk sized safe lane right down the center of the double row allowing pedestrians the opportunity to walk in the parking lot safely at the front of the parked and parking-in-progress cars. No more walking behind the cars. They will only be permitted at the front in the safe lane and straight into the store across the designated crosswalks. Therefore people backing out will be traveling away from walkers. Yes there will be cars entering and leaving the lot while people walk the safe lane but they will be making eye contact with each other while parking.

Jody Booth Terhune

Jamestown