I was out driving to make a delivery to a friend's house for my mom. It was a nice day to walk outside. As I was driving, there were many people walking. I went to the friend's house, dropped off the food and set out to leave. When I was driving out the neighborhood, there was another car coming in front of me. It was driving on its side, I was driving on my side of the road. The other driver and I had to slow down because there were two people walking on the road.
But the neighborhood had sidewalks. We had to slow down and stop because they wouldn't move onto the sidewalk to let the cars pass. The walkers saw the cars, but they still continued to walk on the road. The other car lets me go first after seeing that the walkers weren't going to move onto the sidewalk. It made me realize how often this happens, and it irritates me greatly, but it does have many purposes other than safety uses.
1. No safety because of no cars
It's fun walking when it's nice outside, but safety is important. The sidewalk keeps the walker out of danger and lowers the risk of them getting hurt in an accident. It's why they were made. It lets the walkers continue walking without having to worry too much about cars coming their way.
2. Separation from traffic
When walking on the road, it increases the chances of getting into an accident for the driver and walker. It's a safe path for walkers because it is separated from moving traffic, therefore minimizing the interactions between the pedestrians and moving traffic. It's called a sidewalk, so pedestrians can walk on the side of the road. I believe it's an easy fix that doesn't take that long.
3. Fresh air
For me, I enjoy walking because I get a breath of fresh air. Walking on the sidewalk is very environment-friendly. It doesn't cause carbon dioxide emissions to put in the atmosphere. We already have enough, so why add more? I would say it's worth the time.
SEE ALSO: 14 Easy Ways To Make Your Life More Eco-Friendly
4. Sightseeing
When walking on the sidewalk, pedestrians also get a nice view and can enjoy it peacefully without having to worry about cars driving on the road. The environment is observed, enjoyed and the pedestrians are safely away from moving traffic. If I walk on the road, will I get a nice scenery? Will I have to worry about my safety as much? The answer is no.
I've always thought that sidewalks were not only made to be separate from traffic but also to observe what nature can show us. It's beautiful when enjoyed.
5. Lots of room to walk
Sure there are other people walking on the sidewalk with you, but I don't move off the sidewalk onto the road to give them room. I just sidestep them. Seeing someone else walking on the sidewalk at the same time as myself is not a valid reason to move onto the road. They don't own the sidewalk; it's shared. I wouldn't risk my safety because of that belief.
6. More awareness for drivers
Drivers have to be very careful when driving regardless of where they are. They have to watch what is in front of them, behind them and beside them, especially when there is moving traffic. This doesn't mean the drivers have to be any less careful when driving, it just means they shouldn't have to worry about something that can easily be fixed. I would like to be able to drive without having to worry that I might hit someone.
Being a new driver already has me worried enough about other things: the car in front of me, the car next to me, road signs and major intersections.
SEE ALSO: 23 Thoughts You Will Have Stuck In Traffic On Your Way To Class
7. Low chance of an accident
The last thing I would need is to see a person walking on or across the road, while I would be driving or making a turn on a major intersection and risk or get into an accident. When people walk on the road, drivers have to watch out for them also. This is why it's dangerous, too me, to drive in a neighborhood where there is no sidewalk. The car has to drive around the walker to ensure a safe distance between the two.
No one wants to be in an accident because they hit a person who was walking on the road when there was a sidewalk.
8. Neighborhood safety
Here's another reason why it's dangerous for me to drive in a neighborhood where there is no sidewalk. The car has to drive around the walker to ensure a safe distance between the two. The last thing a driver ever needs is an accident because they hit a person who was walking on the road when there was a sidewalk.
9. They were logically built!
There are sidewalks, crosswalks, the push-to-walk buttons and signs that say when you can walk. You can walk a few extra feet to the crosswalk, instead of jay-walking and risk your safety. I believe it's common sense to use a sidewalk.
