Back in the fall of 2018, Linda Mussmann, Claudia Bruce, Peter Spear, and Ed Cross took it upon themselves to paint crosswalks at the corner of Third and State streets. They were arrested and charged with making graffiti.
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| Photo: Linda Mussmann|Facebook |
Today on NPR's All Things Considered, it was reported that a group called Crosswalk Collective LA was painting unauthorized crosswalks in Los Angeles: "A secretive LA group has a new mission: paint untouched crosswalks." A statement to NPR from the group explains: "We are a small group of community members who have tried for years to request crosswalks and other safe streets infrastructure the official way. At every turn, we've been met with delays, excuses, and inaction from our city government. . . ."
The motivation sounds familiar, but unlike Hudson's "Crosswalk Four," who posted pictures of themselves in the act on Facebook, Crosswalk Collective LA has revealed little about its membership.
COPYRIGHT 2022 CAROLE OSTERINK
I want to stage a street protest against the toxic truck route. BOOT THE ROUTE signs, jeering at the trucks, stand in front of one stop the flow of traffic, get arrested. Go on a hunger strike. Be the butt of jokes. Get an article in the paper and in Gossips, maybe get the Governor's attention. It won't change a thing, but what the hell will?
ReplyDeleteCarole,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
The law about crosswalks is confusing and, I think, will be a real surprise to most people. This is from the New York State website
"[Additional Information](https://www.ny.gov/pedestrian-safety/additional-information)
“What is considered a crosswalk?
A crosswalk is any area distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other pavement markings.
A crosswalk also is any part of the road at an intersection between the curbs on opposite sides of the roadway or, if there are no curbs, between the edges of the road. This area is considered a crosswalk, whether or not it is marked as one.
What if there isn’t a marked crosswalk?
If there are no crosswalks, the safest place for pedestrians to cross the road is at an intersection. Motorists have the right of way at all locations other than intersections and marked crosswalks.
When do pedestrians have the right of way?
Pedestrians have the right of way in all crosswalks and at intersections with marked or unmarked crosswalks.
Who has the right of way when I’m entering or exiting the road?*
Pedestrians do. The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alleyway, building, private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk or road shoulder.
What is considered a crosswalk?
A crosswalk is any area distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other pavement markings.
A crosswalk also is any part of the road at an intersection between the curbs on opposite sides of the roadway or, if there are no curbs, between the edges of the road. This area is considered a crosswalk whether or not it is marked.”
Of course, the law and culture are two different things.
At the moment, Hudson is designed for cars (and trucks), not people.
Take a trip to Massachusetts and walk around Northampton or Great Barrington to experience what a people-centered city feels like.
At last night's CC meeting, a resident who resides at the corner of 6th and Columbia got up before the council and spoke for 1O minutes about how unsafe that intersection is, with multiple accidents recently, and how the truck traffic is unwelcome especially at that corner. 2 separate issues. After the speaker finished, Tom D asked Chief Moore for his response and comments. All the guy could offer was that State Troopers regularly weigh trucks coming into the city (down by the bay on 3rd/9G) AS IF THAT HAD ANY BEARING ON WHAT THE HUDSON RESIDENT JUST SPOKE ABOUT FOR TEN MINUTES, or how it might improve conditions at our dangerous intersection and the insane amount of truck traffic we have 24/7. "Don't worry everyone, the trucks are getting weighed by the State. We at HPD aren't doing anything or even acknowledging the problems, but the TRUCKS ARE BEING WEIGHED."
ReplyDeleteIt really is frightening how out of touch and dysfunctioinal our city hall is. And how normalized the level of apathy is, especially related to pedestrians and automobile safety.
6TH AND COLUMBIA -- no paint anywhere in the intersection. NO Stop lines, no crosswalks. Never have been. Same at 4th. Same at 5th (with one stop line only). 3rd and Columbia where all the trucks turn -- no crosswalks.