I live on the Common Road in Waitsfield. From early in the morning until
late in the evening the road is frequented by pedestrians, joggers,
horses (both driven and ridden), bicycles, strollers, dogs, wanderers
and, obviously, cars and trucks. Personally, I spend more time on the
road either on my bicycle, horse or with my young children and dog on
foot than I do driving on the road. Perhaps that makes me a tad bit more
sensitive, but who knows?
"SLOW DOWN SIGNAL"
In the past week, I have three times waved to a car with an outstretched
arm, palm facing down and waving my arm in a universal "slow down"
signal. The speed limit on the Common Road is 35 mph. Not 40, not 50 and
certainly not the estimated 60 that the person (adult male, not the
16-year-old I would have suspected it of) who provoked my Facebook
posting was doing yesterday.
At least once this summer I, or one of my friends, has been told off by a
driver who said, "I was only going 40!" (ummm...simple math says that
40 mph is greater than 35 mph thus the driver was breaking the law).
Many times a driver will pull their foot off the accelerator or touch
their brakes. One kind soul from out of state even stopped and
apologized for going so fast. More than once this summer, the driver has
either gunned it or swerved towards my horse - and once, even scarier,
my friend's stroller.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
It's simply not acceptable. Why is it so hard to drive the speed limit
and to give way when you see people or animals on the road? Vermont law
is on the side of those under their own non-motorized power and
motorists are obliged to pass pedestrians, cyclists and horses in a safe
and conscientious matter. Dirt roads compound the issue; rocks kick up
from tires (if you've ever lost your windshield to a rock, think what it
feels like if you are the windshield) and tires slide out on corners.
For my part, I do my best to stick to the side of the road, riding and
rolling with traffic and walking facing traffic. I realize this doesn't
apply to all who use our roads for purposes other than driving, but I'll
try to do my part, if those who use them for driving try to do their
part. Thank you to those who do drive according to the law and do pay
attention.
Rappeport lives in Waitsfield.
