Pedestrians vs. automobiles: a safety lesson Published March 18, 2010 By Michael "Tree" Kiester 72nd ABW Safety Office TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Being a parent for the last eight years has been a lot of fun, but parenthood has made me review why I think the way I do. The primary reason for this is the ever present question, "But Daddy, why?" To explain most things, I teach my kids using three sets of rules: The first set of rules refers to the rules of the spirit. If you have any questions, call someone else because that's not my purview. The second and third sets are what I do for a living. The second set of rules encompasses the rules of physics. Being a safety guy, I am pretty well qualified to discuss these rules. Although, there are people out there who are imminently more so. A great example of the rules of physics is an example where a hand placed on the hot burner of a stove will get burned. The last set of rules, are the rules of man. Your worldview will determine what sets of rules comes first, but I believe the rules of man come last. I can break some of the rules of man and not get hurt, but violation of most of the rules of physics can cause "real-time feedback." Many everyday practices use the rules of physics within the rules of man. For example, when driving, you stop at an intersection where your cross-traffic doesn't stop. People are taught to look left first and then look right because the traffic coming from the left is the more immediate threat than the traffic coming from the right. The rules of man say, "Stop at your stop sign and don't hit any cars when crossing through that intersection." The rules of physics give us a way to do it more cautiously. This same example is applicable for pedestrians crossing streets on Tinker. We consistently have mishaps involving people and vehicles in roadways and parking lots. In the case of cross-walks, pedestrians believe that since they are in a cross-walk the rules of man protect them. About two-thirds of all mishaps involving pedestrians and vehicles occur in cross-walks. It is true that pedestrians have the legal right of way in cross-walks, but following the rules of physics, a 3,000 pound car will always trump a person and their rules. It is important that both pedestrians and motor vehicle operators watch for and respect each other. Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalk, but they must realize that vehicles can't stop on a dime -- even vehicles travelling at 25 mph. People must respect this fact. Pedestrians must also realize that a driver may not see them during times of reduced visibility (like fog or during twilight hours) and plan to walk defensively. Motor vehicle operators need to respect the pedestrian's right to use cross-walks. They must also remember the location of cross-walks and be on the lookout for pedestrians in those specific locations. This doesn't absolve the operator from looking for pedestrians in other locations. It cannot be said enough that vehicle vs. pedestrian mishaps are life changing events for the pedestrian. It often takes months if not years for the pedestrian to complete physical rehabilitation. Even then, pedestrians often spend the rest of their life in pain.