Now that I don’t drive, I walk through parking lots. Not to be subversive or to reclaim public space- although the notion appeals to me. It’s just convenient, and often there is no alternative. Unfortunately it’s not always safe.
A little while ago I was crossing through a busy convergence spot at a nearby shopping center (is there a name for this kind of place?). It was just outside of a Home Depot, which should give you an idea of how congested the area is. I waited, like a good citizen, for my turn. On the way through the intersection my daughter dropped her donut. She cried for it. I stopped. Pedestrians do stuff like spontaneously stop to pick up donuts if we drop them, it’s gross but that’s not the point. If a car stops suddenly the passengers get whiplash. Pedestrians can be erratic and free, that’s why drivers hate and fear us.
Anyhow, I stopped. My daughter moved away from me to reclaim her donut. I should mention that traffic was still coming at us from four directions. I stepped in front of a moving van and commanded it to stop with my outstretched hand while my daughter gathered the donut. Children never do anything quickly, so I understand why the driver was impatient. Then while I was still engaged with the van, a truck coming from the opposite direction thought it could squeeze past my double stroller where my son was sitting licking chocolate icing off his fingers. I had to rush in front of that truck with both hands up and shout “Stop”, before the driver, who was glaring incredulously at me, ceased to inch forward. Both these vehicles could have blissfully run down my children.
Do they believe we’re invincible, that it won’t hurt if they tap us at 5 miles an hour? Or do they think that because we are not cars we have no right to occupy space in a parking lot? Do they know what it’s like to have no where else to walk? When they emerge from the car, do they not expect their safety to be respected either?
I was still indignant when we got home, and even now recalling events I'm feeling a out of temper.
I’ve been a driver, and I’ve hated the stupidity of pedestrians, and other drivers too. I know I was in the wrong; I should have left that stupid donut in the dust. But surely it wasn’t right for grown men to continue driving their vehicles toward a mother with two children no matter the context. If we were crossing at a traffic signal their actions would have been illegal. If we were on a residential street crossing to the playground they would have given us at least 20 courtesy feet- because pedestrians are unpredictable and vulnerable. It's not okay to drive through us.
