Every time we cross the street should not have to be a protest. Yet, in many areas of the Lehigh Valley, we are afraid to step off the sidewalk, even with crosswalks, because traffic does not slow down and yield. If it takes this much courage to walk in our towns, many people would rather protect themselves with the armor and comfort of a car even to drive a short distance.

On Friday, January 29, 2016, in the afternoon, a woman, Melody Johnson was walking home from her job at a nursing home, and struck and killed at Northampton and 20^th Streets in Wilson Borough. On Saturday afternoon, a child was struck and injured on Route 895 near Friendship Road in East Penn Township.

What will it take to avoid senseless injury and death of people who cross the street legally in crosswalks?

A psychology shift, recognizing that people matter, and that human beings, whether on foot or in wheelchair, deserve respect from motor vehicle drivers and bicyclists. It will take drivers to treat driving as a responsibility: to be rested, focused, sober and with clear senses.

From downtown areas of our cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton, to smaller boroughs of Nazareth, Hellertown, Emmaus and Wilson, to townships of Palmer and Lower Macungie – for quality of life, people deserve to feel safe crossing the street. This is an issue that most affects people who don’t drive cars, but it also supports people who recognize the environmental and health benefits of walking when a short trip may make it the most practical option.

Dogs are not the only animals that need to be walked. Despite that humans don’t need to mark their territory on trees and hydrants, there is still a tremendous opportunity to walk in our towns, to get to know our neighbors face-to-face and to feel safe because people who care are everywhere.

What can you do as a vehicle driver? Look for crosswalks and pedestrians. It is your job! Yield your vehicle to people standing (or sitting in wheelchairs) on the edge of the sidewalk. They deserve to be given priority, not intimidated by 3000 lbs of metal at any speed other than stopped.

The penalty in Pennsylvania for not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk is 2 points on one’s driver’s license, and more importantly, risk of injury to human life.

What you can do as a person crossing the street? If you are crossing at an intersection within a painted crosswalk or with a sidewalk on one or both sides, with no pedestrian signal, YOU have the right-of-way. If there is a pedestrian WALK/DON’T WALK signal, wait for the white/green signal. Before stepping out, look both ways BUT do not step in front of vehicles that would have to slam on their brakes.

When vehicles are approaching with enough time and distance to slow down, indicate your intention to cross with eye contact and perhaps a friendly wave. Do not be afraid to wave your arms if the vehicle does not slow down. This is where the psychology shift must occur to recognize that a person on foot or wheelchair requires the driver to yield.

We’ve got to wake up and work together to create healthy and vibrant communities!

WFMZ reported on both of the accidents discussed in this post:

Woman dies after being hit by SUV in Wilson Borough (Friday, January 29, 2016) http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/Local/woman-dies-after-being-hit-by-suv-in-wilson-borough/37725250

Pedestrian (child) struck by vehicle in East Penn Township (Saturday, January 30, 2016) http://www.wfmz.com/news/poconos-coal-region/Local/Pedestrian-struck-by-vehicle-in-East-Penn-Township/37727480

Read also: John Schubert’s passion for pedestrian safety in his post last December.

Scott Slingerland is Director of CAT. He is also a PA Licensed Professional Engineer, League of American Bicyclists certified instructor, and yoga teacher. Scott resides in Easton, PA.