Published: September 07, 2008 01:21 am            

Be safe

Sept. 1, I read a sad article in the NewsPress about the OSU students killed on U.S. Highway 177 near Ponca City. My first thought, other than sorrow for the families’ losses, was how inattentive could someone be to ignore the no-passing zone while driving. Some people think they are invincible, but the reality is driving on a highway you are only 2 seconds from death. Being distracted for the wrong 2 seconds can be deadly. I’ve been passed in no-passing zones between here and Ponca City several times.

Tuesday morning, I saw a college-age woman in the eastbound lane near the curb on Farm Road. A group of pedestrians hid the bicycle she was riding against traffic. I was northbound on McFarland getting ready to make a right turn onto Farm (eastbound).

While hidden by the pedestrians, she turned directly in front of my car, barely missing my left front fender and the pedestrians. I was waiting for the group of pedestrians to take the last few steps to the intersection and cross McFarland. Had I turned when the way was clear to my left, before the pedestrians arrived at the corner, undoubtedly the bicyclist would have been injured, possibly severely as she would have hit my car.

Drivers do not look for a bicycle coming down the wrong side of the street. A bicycle is a vehicle — human powered, yes, but a vehicle just the same. Please be aware of safety when walking, bicycling, and driving.

Cynthia Stevenson

Stillwater

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.