To the editor: It is not surprising that traffic now kills more people than homicides in Los Angeles, nor that pedestrians account for the majority of deaths. The design of SUVs and trucks preferred by drivers causes much greater injuries to pedestrians, and this has been known for years.
Additionally, Los Angeles drivers routinely ignore traffic laws. In my area, traffic typically moves at 45 mph in a 35 mph zone; drivers of high-performance cars will go through an intersection with a red light when there is a disruption in cross traffic; and stop signs are routinely ignored.
Legislation proposed by State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) requiring speed humps on all new vehicles sold in California is a step in the right direction. But there is no reason to delay the implementation until 2027: in the European Union, this technology is mandatory in all new cars from 2022.
Jim Winterroth, Torrance
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To the editor: Defensive driving is the practice of anticipating dangerous situations or mistakes by others to avoid a collision.
I think a public service campaign is needed that tells people to become defensive pedestrians. People walking on sidewalks need to know that while they may have the right of way, they should not assume that they will actually get it. The consequences of making a mistake can be deadly.
Crossing a street safely requires a pedestrian to actively look for motorists who are not paying attention or driving erratically.
A thoughtful and creative public service campaign could help shift pedestrian mindsets from thinking about the right of way to watching carefully and being prepared. Realizing the importance of being fully aware when crossing the street could help you avoid an unexpected and dangerous encounter.
SE Stacey, Altadena
