Be safe and be seen this fall | LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Published 9:09 am Wednesday, October 15, 2014

To the editor:

Now that we’ve officially said goodbye to summer, I would like to make an appeal to my fellow runners and dog walkers.

I drive to the ferry terminal (when I can’t catch the bus) for the 6:20 a.m. boat. This time of year it is dark. Add rain and visibility is pretty slim in the early morning and late afternoon hours.

As a fellow outdoor enthusiast, I am always mindful of bikers, walkers and runners and I commend all of the bike commuters for those wonderful red-flashing lights that make them visible to vehicular traffic. Unfortunately, the runners and walkers I see are not as safety minded. Runners, I can’t see your headlamp unless you are looking at me. Turning right onto the highway when my light turns green I WILL look for you if you dart into the crosswalk from the very dark sidewalk, but it’s still VERY hard to see you. And, not everyone will be as diligent about looking out for you as I am, especially if they are trying to get to the boat.

Walkers and Kitsap Transit commuters please know drivers also can’t see your flashlight if they are behind you or you are pointing it away from their cars.

Please consider investing in red flashing lights. Please. Headlamps and flashlights are simply not enough.

INGRID OUGLAND

Bainbridge Island