I have been made aware of an accident which occurred at the LBI public road on Saturday 20. A mini bus was involved in an accident where a nine-year-old boy was hit. Fortunately, the lad was not seriously injured and the bus driver has taken care of all the medical expense. From reports received, the nine-year-old was sent by his grandparent to make a purchase at a shop across the road. The boy used a bicycle to get there.
My first concern is whether it is not foolish, even illegal, for a nine-year-old to be allowed to ride a bicycle on a busy public way unsupervised. My other concern is whether the person who sent the boy on the errand should not have been charged for negligence leading to an accident.
As a driver myself, I see pedal cyclists displaying gymnastic and dodges on busy roadways, some with cell phones to their ears. I have seen pedestrians talking on cell phones and wandering into the middle of the road; I have witnessed people just walking across pedestrian crossings regardless if vehicles are approaching the crossing. And the litany of carelessness goes on and on.
What has happened to our jaywalking (or jay riding) laws?
It should not be just errant motorists who should feel the force of the law, pedal cyclists and pedestrians also must be treated likewise when they breach the law.