Jaywalking in LA
I was exiting the train station when this little skate punk ran a few steps in front of me, hopped on his skateboard, and quickly rode about forty feet ahead of me to the corner. Once there, he proceeded to pop off his skateboard and stop. The street was completely free of traffic. There were no cops around. Soon I reached the corner and walked right past him.
I would love to claim that this was some kind of anomaly. Alas, variations of this theme transpire before my eyes daily. Which brings me to the question: what is wrong with this city? It's as though people are privy to knowledge of some kind of desert vortex, through which a car might spontaneously appear a few feet in front of them and crush them if they were to break sacred LA code and cross against the light. And God forbid you even suggest crossing in the middle of the street! They'd have a stroke at the thought.
Drivers don't know what to do when I jaywalk here. They freak out and get mad, or slow down unnecessarily even though they're nowhere near me. Some even honk or swerve for no reason. Drivers often stop when they see me, well before I even start crossing. It's really, really annoying.
More often than not, thugs just stand there, waiting for the light. I saw one woman walk halfway through the crosswalk of an empty street, only to scurry back when she realized she'd gone against the light. I'm not exaggerating.
These aren't complicated intersections either. They're not freeway entrances, or even streets with turn signals. These are just regular dinky two-way streets with stoplights.
Casting aside the unlikely (im)possibility of a car appearing out of thin air, what exactly are people in LA afraid of? Why can't they just cross the street like people do in other cities? Look both ways, and, if nothing is coming, keep going. That's it. Maybe they don't properly understand the signals? Let's go over them really quickly.
This is a green light.
It means: go.
If cars are moving parallel to you, then just keep moving straight and so will they. If cars can't pass through your crosswalk, then you're safe.
This is a red light.
It means: slow down or stop.
If you are facing this, there may be cars coming. Stop, look both ways, then cross only if you can safely reach the other side.
This is a yellow light.
It means: this light will soon be red.
Slow down if necessary. Consider running if need be. Keep walking if nothing is coming.
This is PROPAGANDA.
It means: nothing.
Ignore it completely.
Jaywalking isn't a crime. It's just another way to raise revenue. This isn't a fucking police state. Get your act together, LA. There is nothing to be afraid of.
KEEP WALKING.
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