Pedestrians' responsibility

The accident in which an underaged motorcycle rider lost his life should serve as an eye-opener for something to be done about careless pedestrians.

Even though it is still to be ascertained whether the rider had a red or a green light in this case, it is an everyday occurrence in our islands for pedestrians to press the button to cross the road at pelican lights and then to cross before they have changed to "walk", needlessly slowing the traffic flow as by the time the lights have changed to red for cars the pedestrian would have reached the other side of the road.

In many foreign countries this, as well as numerous other cases, would be termed as "jay walking" and the pedestrian fined accordingly. (Funnily enough though, I find that the worst perpetrators are young foreigners.)

It is imperative that people are taught how to be responsible pedestrians as well as responsible drivers because they, too, can cause accidents and unnecessary anguish to any driver - even of a legitimate driving age.

Society is also very quick to blame an accident on the driver without considering the fact that a pedestrian may be to blame instead.