‘Look Up Lebo’ promotes common sense among pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike
In a community that promotes walking to the extent that Mt. Lebanon does, the natural inclination is to blame motorists for any concerns with regard to pedestrian safety.
“They should be the ones making sure they don’t hit us!” might be the mantra. And there certainly is merit to that. Drivers have an obligation to pay full attention to the road while also obeying traffic regulations, particularly with regard to speed.
Of course, expecting optimal motorist behavior at all times in an area as heavily traveled as Mt. Lebanon is unrealistic. Someone is bound to, say, sneak a peek at a text or step on the accelerator a bit too hard at any given moment.
But at times, motorists who follow applicable laws to the letter experience close calls or worse with regard to pedestrians who, well, aren’t following applicable laws to the letter.
Those laws, as unpalatable as they may seem to people who just want to walk or ride their bicycles, are on the books for a reason: to try to prevent those folks from being hit by hurtling tons of steel.
Along with the laws come traffic safety campaigns, such as the “Look Up Lebo” effort that’s taking place in Mt. Lebanon. The goal is to encourage everyone – pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, alike – to use common sense when navigating local streets.
If that means taking a slightly longer stroll to use a crosswalk, sure, that’s an inconvenience. It also could save your life.
On the other side of the coin, those crosswalks are in place for a darn good reason, motorists. So stop, wait and smile at the thought that you could be saving a life.