In some places around Almaty, there are projects to widen the roads. In the area where my grandmother lives in Houston, even major roads are without sidewalks. Statistically, most people do not drive. So, why are we being held hostage by those who do (and too much so at that)? Why do we suffer the pollution? Why do we allow our children to lose years from their future lives? And, why do we suffer the humiliations of fools in tiny tanks threatening us as we attempt to get to our destination without the constant use of a thieving, polluting, violent machine (at least most of the time anyway)? When will the time come that roadways lose out to sidewalks? I want to hear some politico run on a platform of narrowing roads, and returning us to a natural state - to liberate us from the domination of the automotive-petrol oppressor. When will someone tell us that road users will have to pay their fair share of the space they use, the health damage they cause, and the pollution to the environment they externalize on all of us? It would not be so hard to calculate these fees and place them squarly on those responsible - do not users of unsubsidized mass transport already face this. Finally, when will the police have the courage to enforce laws protecting pedestrians in crosswalks and on sidewalks? Why do they not arrest those driving while paying attention to their mobile phones, instead of loking out for those who are held hostage to their driving addiction? If this cannot be done by the state, then why should we have to obey the state? Perhaps it is time for pedestrians to take to the streets, slow down traffic, and make the price of driving so extreme that motorists and the government will have to negotiate? I for one have already started to cross streets (still at intersections, for now) at a more comfortable, leisurely pace (just as drivers seem to have when they go through yellow lights and block the sidewalk). I have started to use my little teacher pin on cars parked on sidewalks. Motorists must pay for what they now hold as a free ride. Somebody pays, and I am sick of being that person. P.S. Bicycles are not excempt either. The unsafe driving habits exercised by most riders, especially those driving on sidewalks, are unacceptable. Bikes need to be registered and taxed if they are to receive the same benefits as cars. P.P.S. Mopeds are motorized vehicles. Enought said. P.P.P.S. ...If the situation is not modified, then it demonstrates that the law is unjust, which means that it does not have to be followed. How do you like your key marks - straight or artistic?
Posted on: Sat, 19 Oct 2013 17:13:39 +0000
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