At risk by distracted joggers: Take two | Letters

Published 6:34 pm Monday, May 19, 2014

Dear motorists, pedestrians, et. al;

Okay, so I was still upset over what I considered a near miss of a human being by a vehicle when I penned my first letter.

So, I was reacting and not being as clear as I wanted. Here’s a second—and last—attempt to make a few points.

I was not speeding nor distracted by a cell phone (I don’t own one) nor by another in the car (I was alone), nor by my car’s sound system (it’s broken), nor by the attributes of the joggers; I didn’t see them until… I nearly hit someone.

So, all you motorists who do drive with distractions, please pay attention, be aware and stay alert.

Now, all of you on the road jogging, running, walking, skipping, bicycling, etc., please do not dress like ninjas.

I realize black is fashion, but perhaps wear something shockingly visible, thus giving motorists a better chance of seeing and avoiding you. After all, there are distracted motorists out there. who hasn’t seen (or been) a driver on their mobile device?

As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Be careful out there.”

Dick Barnes/Friday Harbor

P.S. I refer to my car as the Simpson’s Family van—it’s Homer’s Odyssey and it’s 19.5 years old.