Where does the time go?

It seems it was a few weeks ago that I was listening to the calls for the July Pilot issue. There have been many, again mostly about “inconsiderate” drivers and speeding. Along with those negative one about the stop signs on Cringle Drive. How did you like the way the City used the sparkling red Christmas lights as a reminder? I thought they would be a great idea for the winter months at all our stop signs — again as reminders — but the City turned me down. These were kept lit by sun “electricity” so to speak, which would not be available during the rainy season. So again please remember that our max speed limits are 35 on the Parkways and 25 on the interior streets/lanes, with specific speeds inside our various complexes.

Something I saw the other day needs a reminder: this was down near the Marketplace. A young man was waiting to cross Redwood Shores Parkway from Electronics Way and when the light changed to green for those turning left at Hasting Shores he stepped off the curb into the crosswalk. I was still stopped, going straight, but looked up and saw that the pedestrian light for him was still on red. Please pay attention because you could get hurt if the light is not in your favor and watch for the count-down figure. This also applies anywhere in an area with crosswalks where pedestrians have preference. The problems here are that some step off a curb even if a car is in the middle of a turn. Again, this could cause an accident if another car is also making a turn behind the first one turning.

I guess courtesy is a number one consideration. This came with several calls abut the same problems with both bikers and peds. Again were the calls to request that drivers give themselves plenty of time to get whereever they want to go.

I saw something a week or so ago that really scared me. I was in the far left lane just past the airport, to cross over Holly so I could turn left on Industrial. There are three lanes there and in this case the car ahead of me just moved over in front of cars in the other two right hand lanes to get to the south-bound exit. I prayed he would make it but there were a lot of brake lights on. Which was the next subject: signal lights either not working or being used. So one more time, even tho it’s summer, get the family out there and check your front and back lights, brakes and signals. And another reminder by the callers: “PLEASE USE YOUR SIGNAL LIGHTS — it’s hard to know where you want to go if we can’t see them”. It really shouldn’t be a problem since your left hand is right there by the switch, it’s just a matter of doing it.

Other calls were again about the solid lines and their meaning, which I will tackle next month. To finish off, many calls were to remind the bikers they need to pay attention to the signs just like the auto drives have to. To start a right turn then find a biker has come up on your right and just keeps going is very distracting. And, yes, this also applies to pedestrians and the pram pushers. So to get in the habit now, before the winter darkness sets in, let’s all practice what we want and hope that everyone else will follow suit!

Have a good one and see you in September. Remember that school opens August 18th and our kids will be walking to both schools. While the weather is nice — have a good one, enjoy the Music in Marlin Park and see you in September.

— Pat Dixon, the Swan Lady