Stop signs are not optional

It's that time of year again! The sun has been shining (sort of), the frogs have been chirping and everywhere in our beautiful town people are breaking out their walking shoes and leaving the car in the garage.

As a habitual pedestrian, I walk or bike almost everywhere. I try to obey the laws of "hoofing it" to the best of my abilities and do the same when I drive. Not everyone is perfect but it seems that some people may need a refresher course on being a conscientious, respectful, and - most importantly - safe driver.

Last week I was out for a run with my dog, Toby. As we approached the corner of South Elm and East Washington, right there in front of the fire station, I noticed that the big pickup truck heading our way wasn't slowing down for the stop sign. Rule #1 when running: Don't assume a vehicle is going to stop simply because there is a stop sign. I stopped. The truck kept going right through the sign, giving me a great look at the fellow driving with cell phone in hand, not even noticing that he'd run the sign until he saw me waving my arms in exasperation at him from the sidewalk.

With a half-dozen children playing 50 yards away at the Village Green, this man stopped in the middle of the intersection, rolled down his window and began to scream at me about how that stop sign is strictly for pedestrians.

I'm not sure exactly what point he was going for, but he certainly wasn't trying to apologize for breaking two laws and coming dangerously close to running me over! I explained that that particular stop sign wasn't some "magical" or "suggested" stop sign, he was not exempt simply because he had too many texts to send that day, and that if he'd prefer I'd be glad to call the police and have THEM explain who was really in the wrong here. He was opposed to that idea of course, and after throwing a few more insults at me, drove off. Not before I got his license plate number.

I decided that the next time this fellow is too busy with his own life to pay attention to the safety of others, it's going to be one of those little ones heading home from the park who he fails to notice. Next time he's going to kill someone's baby. I called the police; they had a chat with Mr. Text Happy.

Fast forward a few days. I was out on foot again, pup in tow, heading into town to "walk" a few errands. On the corner of East Jefferson and Locust, I noticed a familiar pickup, rolling through the stop sign. I noticed the gentleman behind the wheel with his cell phone out, texting! You guessed it. It's the same truck, same license plate number, the SAME GUY! I stood there dumbfounded, shaking my head in disbelief. I pulled out my cell phone and once again, dialed the police. I spoke with an officer who said he could have another chat with the man, but that he couldn't issue a citation because he hadn't seen the violation himself.

But I could. I am citing him for failing to stop and using his cell phone while driving. Perhaps one day he'll be grateful that he broke two laws in front of the same girl, twice. It could be what keeps him from having to pay for a stranger's funeral, not to mention jail time.

Folks, with the spring and summer seasons rapidly approaching, please be extra vigilant when driving, especially through town. We all make mistakes, and God willing those mistakes never cause harm to another who may stray onto our paths when we are looking the other way.

But laws are there for a reason, for EVERYONE to heed, to keep human error from becoming an avoidable tragedy.