DON'T PUSH THAT BUTTON!

don't get me started...it's too late...

Perhaps you will see a common theme to my blog-- impatience. One of the wisest pieces of advice I got was from a fellow Bible study group member who blurted out "Don't ever ask God to teach you patience because He will turn every traffic signal red in your direction". But, so often impatience is a reaction to someone else's inconsideration or general lack of knowledge. Case in point, the dreaded pedestrian crosswalk button. Now, this is going to be little deeper than most would take this subject :) , so hold on.

To push or not to push--that is the question. Almost every cross walker will activate it without one minutia of thinking of their impact on the drivers convening at the intersection. Well, you say, it is about safety and you are absolutely correct. The frustration is the pedestrian 'dude' illuminates WITHOUT you pushing the button. It allows for the safe crossing of anyone who meets the following criteria "ages 10-60, 2 functional legs, 1 eyeball"-- that's it! If you fall within those parameters, you are set to traverse and will make it to the other side before the semi-truck mows you down, all without depressing the dreaded chrome knob!

Push the button and you reek havoc. You tell all of the drivers you need more time, like 15 seconds more, to get across. Take a look next time and you will discover that healthy mid-30s male carrying his grocery bag has not only cleared the intersection, he has turned onto the side street and is halfway home before you get your green light. Any signal light timing along the corridor is disrupted because Pedestrian Pete needs more time---need more time?? How big of a rush are you in, you are WALKING! You opted not to drive or perhaps, are unable to, and I have compassion for you. BUT, you failed to pursue a bus, taxi, bike or a horse---you can't possibly be in a rush.

Leave the button alone... til next time...