Opening up August 13th’s Dispatch really hit home for me. After
reading the article
”
Jaywalk danger on First
”
I thought about the many times I have crossed that street
(legally) and have almost been hit by a car.
Dear Editor:
Opening up August 13th’s Dispatch really hit home for me. After reading the article “Jaywalk danger on First” I thought about the many times I have crossed that street (legally) and have almost been hit by a car. I understand completely and sympathize with drivers about their concerns of jaywalkers crossing First Street.
As someone who works at the intersection of Westwood and First, I often see people jaywalking across First Street, going to the Hecker Pass Plaza or trying to catch the bus on the north side corner of First and Westwood. However, even when crossing the street legally, First and Westwood is one of the most dangerous intersections to cross in Gilroy. There have been many times, when I was crossing the street and using the crosswalk, and someone in a car was in such a hurry, they almost ran me down when I had the right of way. Just recently, someone ran the stop light going south on Westwood and First and hit another car with a women and her two children inside it.
This intersection is a dangerous one. Not only do jaywalkers need to use the crosswalk but also people driving their cars need to slow down when they see someone trying to cross the street. It is a very busy intersection with lots of buses and delivery trucks passing through all the time. If the city is asking people on foot to please use the crosswalks (and people should) then, as a person who walks to work and everywhere else she needs to go, drivers … please slow down when you see someone crossing the street and using the crosswalk. It can save your life and the person who is crossing the intersection on foot.
Hope N. Cerdan, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, Aug. 14
