Drivers need to pay attention while driving

On Feb. 12, the Bee featured yet another article concerning pedestrian safety in Sandpoint's downtown. My suggestion: Take down the bright blue signs that declare Sandpoint as a "walking community" because it is an incorrect statement of what Sandpoint really is.

How can we encourage people to walk in this town and yet have such lousy access to cross streets? I can't tell you how many times I've stopped at a crosswalk and watched 10-15 vehicles pass by me without even looking to see if there is someone trying to cross! I recently stopped for an elderly woman attempting to cross in front of the Panida. After waiting quite a while, another car stopped so she started across. I held my breath hoping that the last lane would be clear. Car after car kept passing on by. Just as she was about halfway across a huge Sandpoint Furniture delivery truck barreled past, narrowly missing her.

Have we had enough? Do we need more deaths to get some action going here? We can't wait for committee meetings and political mumbo jumbo to some day get going. I'll tell you what — I'll go to Home Depot and buy some white paint and paint the stinkin' lines myself! The lines that were painted on the road are worn away, and there are no pedestrian crossing signs at all on Fifth Avenue. Furthermore, why not try to enforce the laws that are already in place?

I drive Fifth every day, and never see police patrolling there. I'd love to see the police writing some tickets and making people more aware of how their driving affects others. I hope that the next person who gets hit in the crosswalk sues the pants off of the city for not making this city a safe place to walk. It's such a shame that people can't think beyond themselves and their destination.

In the meantime, I will continue to pray for the safety of the poor residents of Sandpoint who take their lives in their own hands by trying to use the crosswalk.

JANET LEAS

Kootenai