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Letters to the EditorsParents, where are you going, and why are you in such a hurry?© St. Petersburg Times published May 31, 2002 Editors: I have a question for all parents in Hunter's Green, Pebble Creek, Cross Creek and Arbor Greene: Where are you going and why are you in such a hurry to get there? You might think I'm meddling in your business, but let me explain why I feel I have a right to ask that question. First, a little bit about me. I enjoy the outdoors: I walk, jog, ride my bike, inline skate. I am also the husband of a woman who also enjoys these same activities, and the father of two great kids who enjoy being outside. And I'm the owner of a small dog, who (you guessed it) loves to go out for walks. One of the reasons we moved into Hunter's Green is that it's a great place to engage in these activities. But lately, I have become increasingly frustrated at the number of cars in Hunter's Green that are completely ignoring the speed limits. I'm frequently passed by cars going at least 50 mph (and some a lot faster) in a 30 mph speed zone. And I feel these drivers are putting my family and me at risk every time we go outside. A month or so ago, I was jogging the loop from Hunter's Green Drive, down Cross Creek Boulevard, and down Bruce B. Downs for a short distance to the Winn-Dixie. As I turned on to Bruce B. Downs from Cross Creek, I had to dodge not one, but three cars. Now, I know that Bruce B. Downs is a busy street. But I was well over in the bike lane. It's just that these cars were in such a hurry to get where they were going that they didn't want to wait a couple of minutes for the light to change. So they were driving in the bike lane, and even on the grass. I know many of you are thinking that it's the kids that are driving so fast. And some are. I didn't address this letter to them, because I remember what it was like being a kid, and I don't think I can have much impact on them. But more often than not, the cars whizzing by me are driven by Moms and Dads. I can tell because either the kids are in the car, or their toys and car seats are visible through the window, or a sign on the rear bumper announces that "My kid is a student of the month." These same cars that often have a sunshade in the window to protect their precious one from too much sun are speeding through the neighborhood with little or no regard for the safety of my kids or me, who happen to be pedestrians. So if you speed past me and I honk my horn or flash my lights at you, or if you find yourself behind me forced to do the speed limit, please don't get ticked off, cuss me out, or make hand gestures in my direction. Rather, think of me and my family (and maybe your own family) and ask yourself: Where am I going, and why am I in such a hurry to get there?
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From the Times Letters |
