Reporter- Kaylien Ownby

One of the first things you learn about traffic safety as a kid is to look both ways before crossing the road. It’s a quick, easy way to make sure you don’t get killed by oncoming traffic. Some of you seem to have forgotten this simple lesson, and frankly, I have no idea how some of you have survived this long.

Time and time again, I see people just walk into traffic with no regard for the fact that there’s a car eight feet from them that has barely begun to slow down. Many times, I have yanked a friend back by a sleeve as a car screeches to a stop and waves us on with an air of impatience and annoyance. Every single time that I berate them for not looking before crossing the road, I am met with the same smug response: pedestrians have the right of way.

While that may be true in some cases, the faded white lines of a crosswalk are not barriers that will shield you from oncoming traffic. Crosswalks are not magical sparkling protection domes. If it’s you versus a car, you’re not going to win; you will meet a messy, bone-snapping end and the surprised, most likely horrified driver who hit you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter and will feel the weight of your death on their shoulders forever.

Distracted driving can be lethal, but so can distracted walking. Look before you cross the road. Three seconds spent being self-aware could save your life.