It’s not the weightiest question ever — nothing like, say, what came before the Big Bang, or who killed JFK.
But it sure puzzles me. Why — when there are perfectly good sidewalks — do so many Westporters choose instead to walk in the road?
North Avenue. South Compo. Long Lots. You name it: If there’s a sidewalk, most people won’t use it.
Sometimes they’re on the opposite side (walking incorrectly, with traffic). Sometimes they’re on the same side as the sidewalk. Yet they ignore it — or worse yet, treat it with contempt. Like, screw you, sidewalk. I’m not going walk on you.
Sidewalks are for other people.
For a long time I thought that was my pet peeve. But I have company.
The other day, alert “06880”reader/former Staples High School classmate, and — most importantly for this story, retired Westport Police detective — Dave Eason emailed me.
He had just gotten home after running errands. No one was on the sidewalks — but he saw plenty of folks on the roads.
Turns out, we’re not the only ones aggravated by this. Dave sent along Connecticut General Statute 14-300c (a). It says:
No pedestrian shall walk along and upon a roadway where a sidewalk adjacent to such roadway is provided and the use thereof is practicable.
I don’t imagine this is Chief Foti Koskinas’ top enforcement priority. Nor should it be.
But here’s your warning, streetwalkers: The law is on our side.
Sidewalks are there on the side too. Use them!