posted on April 10, 2006 07:22:56 PM new
Woman, 82, Gets Ticket for Slow Crossing
LOS ANGELES - An 82-year-old woman received a $114 ticket for taking too long to cross a street. Mayvis Coyle said she began shuffling with her cane across Foothill Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley when the light was green, but was unable to make it to the other side before it turned red.
She said the motorcycle officer who ticketed her on Feb. 15 told her she was obstructing traffic.
"I think it's completely outrageous," said Coyle, who described herself as a Cherokee medicine woman. "He treated me like a 6-year-old, like I don't know what I'm doing."
Los Angeles police Sgt. Mike Zaboski of the Valley Traffic Division said police are cracking down on people who improperly cross streets because pedestrian accidents are above normal. He said he could not comment on Coyle's ticket other than to say that it is her word against that of the citing officer, identified only as Officer Kelly.
"I'd rather not have angry pedestrians," Zaboski said. "But I'd rather have them be alive."
Others, however, supported Coyle's contention that the light in question doesn't give people enough time to cross the busy, five-lane boulevard.
"I can go halfway, then the light changes," said Edith Krause, 78, who uses an electric cart because she has difficulty walking.
On Friday, the light changed too quickly even for high school students to make it across without running. It went from green to red in 20 seconds.
Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said she has asked transportation officials to figure out how to accommodate elderly people.
"We should look at those areas with predominantly seniors and accommodate their needs in intersections" she said.
posted on April 11, 2006 03:04:18 AM new
"We should look at those areas with predominantly seniors and accommodate their needs in intersections" she said."
maybe they should be a lounge area about half-way.That way they could rest on the way over..
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If you dont want to hear the truth....dont ask the question.
posted on April 11, 2006 01:12:42 PM new
I know here in MN, you have to wait for any crosser regardless of the light status. The hired help the government has, needs an overhaul as well. Fix the light and get rid of the BS red tape.
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Many misleading tricks in 2006. The new Demomoron slogan.
posted on April 11, 2006 02:54:12 PM new
What the hell is wrong with motorists these days? Couldn't just one of them pull over to the side and help an old lady across a busy street, not to mention that stupid cop could have done so also instead of citing her. He oughtta be fired for what he did or at least be reprimanded for his thoughtlessness.
posted on April 11, 2006 10:28:28 PM new
LOL classic. lol so typical of you. lol
IF this is the same story I heard....the light changed after it had only been green for 9 SECONDS....even teenagers couldn't WALK across it that quickly.
Poor women...she's right. Change those darn signals so when they press a button...it makes the light say red longer. Simple fix.
posted on April 12, 2006 01:25:16 AM new
PI - not in the Valley unless you want to get ticketed for impeding traffic. "Pulling Over" means stopping in a traffic lane and if there is one thing you don't do in SoCal when driving... it's stop in a traffic lane (except on the highway of course )
As for the cop - he must have been really bored!! That one is totally out of line. It's one thing when the kids coming home from school decide to walk as slowoly as possible to mess with drivers (I think that was the favorite past time of students from the high school near me when I lived there) but when it's a little old lady who is moving at her top speed, that's just rude!
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