Walking, Talking and Crossing But Not Paying Attention

I have a problem with some pedestrians. Is it me or have any of you noticed that many walkers purposely take their time crossing a road in front of waiting traffic?

I understand the thing about pedestrians having the right of way but it seems like more and more they push the envelope with that and almost challenge vehicles.

My instinct when crossing a road and seeing oncoming traffic is to pick up my pace but many times I watch walkers who I truly believe slow down on purpose as if they’re sending some kind of message. I’m also noticing more and more that when there’s a group of two or more they will be engaged in animated conversation, totaling ignoring waiting traffic which by now has backed up.

A recent development is pedestrians talking on their cell phone while crossing a street and giving no thought to the fact that cars are driving by. While I hesitate to make generalizations, I will. Young people are the worst offenders and I think at times take joy in knowing that vehicles have to wait for them. Since we are all pedestrians we should realize that the responsibility of safety does not just rest with those behind the wheel but those also crossing the street.

One of the things I often look to do in the Hometown View is lavish praise on those who deserve it.In this case, Phil Faccone Jr. of Brick. Tonight the recent Wagner College graduate will be honored as the Northeast Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year during their annual awards dinner at the Molly Pitcher Inn in Red Bank.

Faccone was an All-American long snapper for the Seahawks football team after an outstanding high school career at Brick Memorial. He graduated from Wagner last month with a bachelor of arts (magna cum laude), majoring in sociology with a minor in government and politics.

Phil was one of 22 college football players from across the nation selected to the All-State/AFCA Good Works Team for their academic achievements and work in the community and he was honored at halftime of the Sugar Bowl in January. At Wagner he organized a campus bone marrow drive for three years, was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ Operation Christmas Child, made visits to the local children’s hospital and shined in the classroom while serving as president of both a national leadership honor society and sociology honor society.

Quite a young man with a bright future.