Letters to the Editor: Everyone, including pedestrians, has a responsibility to prevent traffic tragedies
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To the editor: As a driver, I see distracted and speeding motorists every day — but I also see distracted pedestrians (“Traffic deaths are on the rise. Why is the LAPD pulling over fewer drivers?,” Sept. 1). Having the legal right of way in a crosswalk does not make someone invulnerable. Too often, pedestrians are looking at their phones instead of watching approaching traffic and making eye contact with drivers.
A vehicle can be traveling legally and still pose a deadly threat to someone who is not paying attention. We need safer roads, stronger enforcement and better technology, but pedestrian safety education must be part of the equation. Everyone has a responsibility to prevent these tragedies.
David Boston, Cypress
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To the editor: The article on the increasing number of traffic deaths amid a drastic cutback on enforcement in the Los Angeles Police Department is one of these news items that leads to a “why is this a surprise?” reaction.
Laws that are not being enforced are not laws, they are suggestions. People who do not care about laws will ignore them even more frequently, knowing that they can do so with impunity. The result is an inexcusable and shameful number of deaths and injuries. And the elected officials in Los Angeles seem to accept this as normal?
This is the same idea that has led to the disaster with public transit in L.A. With no enforcement of fare-paying and the L.A. Metro being a de facto fare-free system, why is it a surprise that safety and security are by far the foremost problems? The disruptive and sometimes violent behavior of many passengers is a safety problem for other riders. This shouldn’t be a surprise with the lack of enforcement.
Laws and regulations are meant to be enforced. They are not suggestions that people follow on an honor-system basis. If there are some unintended consequences that arise, deal with those consequences, but do not stop enforcement.
Thomas Szayna, Los Angeles
