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Article posted Tuesday, July 3, 2012 9:45am

Dear Miss Manners,

I’m confused. I see those little yellow sings in the middle of the road all over Door County that say, “Yield to pedestrians.” Yet, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people standing at the side of the road, in a crosswalk, right by one of those signs as the cars continue to stream by non-stop! Perhaps I’m used to a college town where pedestrians have rights and cars respect them, but what’s the deal? Why are all those drivers so rude to the folks just wanting to cross the road?

I’m not a chicken, can I cross the road already?

Fish Creek, WI

Dear I’m not a chicken, can I cross the road already?

Even with all of the signage, I too am surprised to see how many people do not yield to pedestrians. This was all covered in Driver’s Education, but apparently, some of those details get fuzzy after awhile. Just today I suggested to a friend that it may not be legal to pass three cars at once (any Rules of the Road experts out there?)…at the very least it’s not advisable.

When I’m on foot in an intersection and cars don’t seem to be slowing down, I channel my inner traffic cop and walk out cautiously with my hand raised in the stop position. Obviously, you want to be extremely careful and make sure that cars are slowing down before you attempt to venture farther into the cross walk.

Most people driving here in the summer are visiting from elsewhere. They are on vacation and some of them are paying a little too much attention to the scenery versus pedestrians. We all need to look out for pedestrians, cyclists, and opening car doors. Pedestrians need to do their part by not jaywalking; otherwise, it seems like a game of Frogger with much higher stakes.

It’s acceptable to be oblivious sometimes, but not when you’re behind the wheel. Please pay attention everyone.

Good luck,

Mary Pat