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Not real estate related, but I had to blog about it

By Todd Clark - Retired

Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

September 04, 2007 03:24 AM

Two nights ago a toddler was hit by a police cruiser as the mother tried to cross a busy highway at night. Lucky for everyone involved, it does look like the toddler will live. But, my question, and everyone I talk to about this, is why was the mother crossing a very busy highway at night and second how she couldn't see the police lights.

How hard is it to see even a regular car's lights at night? Now, this officer says he had his police lights on and this young mother said she didn't see him. I find this very odd and I feel sad for this mom, but I still think she should be written a ticket for jaywalking. I know what a lot of you saying, don't punish the mom when she is already feeling bad.

I know this will traumatize the police officer and effect how he does his job, and more than likely, the insurance company will pay for someone else's mistake! I have hit a pedestrian with my car and it does traumatize you and it does effect how I drive. But, once again, it was someone who was stupid and was jaywalking. They walked out between two UPS trucks and right in front of my car! Lucky for me a police officer was behind me and saw the whole thing and after about 30 minutes and checking my driver license and insurance, he let me go.

So please people don't blame the drivers if you are doing something stupid!

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Susan Trombley

Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC

Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs

You probably will never know why she choose that place to cross the street. The Mom may not have been thinking properly at that point in time, but is fine the rest of the time. It could have been stress that know one will know about. But, when you are in the wrong things out of your control can happen.

Sep 04, 2007 03:27 AM

William Moore

Innovative Realty - Londonderry, NH

I agree, she should be written a ticket. She endangered her childs life. Unfortunately in this world we worry too much about people "feeling bad" and worry too little about people learning from and taking responsibility for thir mistakes.

Sep 04, 2007 03:29 AM

Thomas Weiss

Thomas R. Weiss - West Palm Beach, FL

Todd,

This doesn't have to be realted to Real estate, I have children, thanks for writing this...

Tom Weiss

Sep 04, 2007 03:33 AM

Roy Kotz

NPDodge - Papillion, NE

Didn't see the lights? I wonder did anyone think to check the mother to see if she was sober. J-walking, and this may be a bit extreme, but what about child endangerment.

Sep 04, 2007 03:36 AM

JoAnne Lengyel

Harry Norman Realtors - Marietta, GA

Atlanta Real Estate

You know, my father (retired NYC police inpsector) always said, "You can't get hit by a train if you don't put your self on the tracks!" Seems like a pretty simple concept doesn't it? I see examples of this all the time. Like the women who play tennis at our swim/tennis club and drop off their 5 year olds to swim while they play AND there is no lifeguard! They'll be the first ones to sue if God forbid something happens to one of their kids!

Sep 04, 2007 03:40 AM

Jeff Kessler

Austin Homes, Realtors www.OwnAustin.com - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

People diffidently have to start taking responsibility.

Sep 04, 2007 03:48 AM

John Klassen

M & T Bank - Kingston, NY

There are many road hazards. Unfortunately sometimes they are people as well. It is good that all escapre serious harm. There is much more traffic out there now and with more drivers and pedestrians there is more risk.

Good post,

Sep 04, 2007 04:10 AM

James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC

When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

Actually in DC; some folks are trying to ban Ipods and Blackberry in crosswalks because pedestrians don't pay any attention if the signs say walk or don't walk.

Of course I'd be glad if pedestrians would just use the dang crosswalk in general!

Sep 04, 2007 04:39 AM

Karen Rice Keller Williams Real Est

Keller Williams Real Estate - Hawley, PA

Northeast PA & Lake Wallenpaupack Home Sales

I really would love to see jaywalkers get ticketed more. Many people saunter out into the street and t a k e t h e i r t i m e crossing, not caring that they're supposed to be in the crosswalk, and they're also holding up traffic.

I was taught to cross as quickly as possible. It's that funny thing about having some concern for others...

As to this mother who didn't see the police car - I believe it. She didn't see it because she probably wasn't even LOOKING for it. A lot of people just take it for granted that any oncoming traffic will just stop for them when they get into the street.

Sep 04, 2007 05:14 AM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

That's terrible Todd. I will certainly keep this child in my prayers. Ticket the mom? I just don't know. Having her child hit by a car is a pretty big thing to have to go through. Will a ticket really make any difference at this point? I don't think so.

Sep 04, 2007 10:59 AM

Nicole Garner

Not Available - Tigard, OR

There are a lot of people here that just take for granted that if they step foot into the street that every car can stop instantly first of all. I have no idea how come she couldn't see that police lights, or even why she was crossing the street when there is not a cross walk. About 2 months ago I was coming down SE Powell from the mall 205 area (in Oregon) and I had 2 people who just insisted on stepping out onto the busy street. I didn't hit them nor did anyone else at the time, but people should really use common sense and watch what they are doing, and who's life they are putting in danger when they do this stupid stuff!!

Sep 04, 2007 11:09 AM

Mary Warren

Las Vegas, NV

The mother should be given a ticket, make her think twice next time...there are many reasons she did not see the police lights...she may have just had a big discussion or arguement with someone and have been concentrating on that, maybe she was on a cell phone(?), could she have been drunk? No matter what the reason for her inattention the welfare of her child was at stake...she should have been paying attention!

Sep 04, 2007 12:40 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Susan - I wish I knew what she was thinking, but I'm not sure there is ever a safe time to jaywalk across a highway, especially at night!

William - I think we need to set an example and write her a ticket. I run a stop sign in a car and hit someone, I feel bad, but I still get a ticket! Even Portland's Mayor ran a stop sign on a bike, while a film crew was filming and he didn't get a ticket! I was so mad! He could have been killed and what does that say to our children.

Tom - The sad part is the mom has now turned out to be a child herself. She is only 17!

Roz - She was sober, but I think maybe just stupid!

JoAnne - I love your father! That is the greatest quote I've heard in a long time.

Jeff - How dare you tell people they need to take responsibility for there own actions! What would happen to our court systems if we did that - lol

John - So many things are put into place and then others blame someone in a 3,000 lbs car when they are the one breaking the law!

James - I disagree with that maybe...Darwin needs victims and if they can't hear the bus coming maybe we need to thin there numbers!

Karen - I used to own my own courier business and I hated it when people would walk out in front of your car and just look at you and walk slower and smile!

Bryant - I hate to disagree with you, here in this state that attitude has gotten so bad that if you kill someone while drinking and driving that "Oh, they already feel bad enough" and they are out of jail in 3 weeks and driving again. How do you think that cop feels!

Nicole - A good friend of mine killed an 11 year old kid in 1992 while driving down powell at 2am. The kids was wearing black and ran out in front of his truck. Didn't even see him or put on his breaks until after he had hit him.

Mary - I agree, I don't get second chances when I brake the law and endanger someone and that is what happened here.

Sep 05, 2007 05:01 PM

Irene Morales Ward

REMAX Distinctive Real Estate, Inc. - Stafford, VA

Realtor - e-Pro - Northern Virginia Real Estate

Todd - I'm with you and am not inclined to go so easy on the mom. Something's not right here. As the wife of a 20 year police officer, you just never know the whole story even when they supposedly tell you the whole story. I hope you're coping better about your accident. I know it's a difficult trauma to shake.

Sep 07, 2007 02:55 PM

Diane Bell, Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton

Charter 1 Real Estate, Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC - Hilton Head Island, SC

Todd,

Sounds like the mother was really using poor judgment or was impaired?

Sep 07, 2007 02:57 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Irene - I can't imagine trying to cross the road at night with my kids without using a cross walk. Especially a highway.

Diane - We never did find out, but I'm guessing impaired also.

Mar 14, 2009 09:59 PM