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--> --> `To walk or not to walk ...' As a newcomer to Ashland, I was at first impressed with the city's commitment to pedestrian rights. Until I started actually walking around. The problem is that no one seems to really know the rules. Ashland seems to have two kind of drivers: The conscientious ones who, with an almost annoying politeness, will stop even if a pedestrian hasn't entered the crosswalk, and those who never stop. A typical scenario: I approach Siskiyou Boulevard, intending to cross. As I enter the crosswalk, most cars don't stop. Eventually, one does, and I start walking. I peer cautiously around the stopped car. Usually, the traffic in the inner lane doesn't see, and either I risk getting run over by someone who doesn't see or care, or a driver realizes that there's a pedestrian, and slams on the brakes, thus risking being rear-ended. The situation for drivers is no better. I often see pedestrians and cyclists nonchalantly crossing anywhere, expecting traffic to stop. Should I stop? I'm still not sure. I'm surprised pedestrians don't get killed on a daily basis. Scott Cole Ashland Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing