By Michael E. Daniels Santa Monica
I am writing this letter in concern for the safety of myself, as well as other pedestrians. There is a pedestrian crosswalk on Pico Boulevard and Third Street, the crossing between the bowling alley and the Civic Center parking lot, and between Fourth and Main streets.
I cross that street on average of four times a day, which I am always taking a chance of getting hit by one of the rude drivers who have no regard for pedestrians. You see many of them on those cell phones and not paying attention. There’s a flashing signal stripe in the road, which I imagine are hard to see during the daytime, but I am a big man and you can’t help but to see me when I am crossing.
I have on numerous occasions informed the Santa Monica Police traffic department of many incidents with this crosswalk and drivers not yielding to the pedestrians. I have been told they will step up the patrol. I have yet to see the patrol step up in any way. I have even suggested a stop signal be put there. That crossing is truly dangerous.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.