Where I grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, every one jaywalked. They still do. There are hardly any painted crossroads because they figured people cross wherever they want anyway. The fines in Massachusetts for jaywalking are literally $1 for a first offense and $2 for subsequent offenses, so the cops aren't going to bother enforcing it unless they literally almost run someone over.
That intersection in Nashua, though, is nonsense. It would cost the city barely anything to make that go right. I know it's much worse in other places, too. As someone who actually has lived without a car at points in my life, I was fortunate that I was in Denver and Aurora Colorado for most of that time, where there are proper crosswalks and areas built with pedestrian traffic in mind. I wish more of the country was like that. Of course, here in rural Vermont a vehicle is mandatory, but if you live in nearby Rutland, they have very wide sidewalks and crosswalks, so they got that right here!
Palos Park IL (Suburb of Chicago with Metra Commuter Train 500 ft away from misaligned intersection of SW Hwy/121st/Timber Ln).
https://goo.gl/maps/7NmsJc7ubYZAp16G7
Cars over 70mph in 40mph Residential Area Near Metra Station, Park, & Two Major Regional Trail Systems
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfjctZ2JAq2MQ4X3Gqch2tG3
Walkers & Joggers Crossing SW Hwy
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfhMHPnXuD1FJmg4FFnCDRNI
Kids With No Safe Sidewalks
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfiZtumbPzkIUyndNiGewLmt
Cyclists Crossing SW Hwy
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfiXKag2SIgr6--a3ZPk0rIt
Kids Crossing SW Hwy
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfiC8j0o4t-C1b6D0-AnlpEZ
Metra Commuters Crossing SW Hwy
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfi4fgcd0lpf7B5G4PEv6O5Z
Accidents / Collisions
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfhSodZr8JiSf3PlVNbPeP0m
Cars Racing In Residential Area
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMfNAGP-iqfhIdd_slxdvUSsNglyBJF_T
Where I grew up in Brockton, Massachusetts, every one jaywalked. They still do. There are hardly any painted crossroads because they figured people cross wherever they want anyway. The fines in Massachusetts for jaywalking are literally $1 for a first offense and $2 for subsequent offenses, so the cops aren't going to bother enforcing it unless they literally almost run someone over.
That intersection in Nashua, though, is nonsense. It would cost the city barely anything to make that go right. I know it's much worse in other places, too. As someone who actually has lived without a car at points in my life, I was fortunate that I was in Denver and Aurora Colorado for most of that time, where there are proper crosswalks and areas built with pedestrian traffic in mind. I wish more of the country was like that. Of course, here in rural Vermont a vehicle is mandatory, but if you live in nearby Rutland, they have very wide sidewalks and crosswalks, so they got that right here!
Great piece as always.