Editor,

Winter driving season is upon us, and we all need to pay more attention to our surroundings and what is going on in front, in back and to the sides of us. Especially now that it gets dark so early, the weather is always a factor, we need to be aware! We need to have eyes in the back and the sides of our heads.

Not only are we watching for the drivers around us, we have to deal with bicyclists and pedestrians alike. Some bicyclists, not all, act as though the Rules Of The Road do not apply to them. Running red lights, cutting in front of cars, not wearing helmets and wearing head phones which make it difficult for them to hear what is going on around them, i.e. emergency vehicles, is not good.

Pedestrians have a thought process that "they can see me, no matter what." Wrong! We cannot always see you, especially if it is dark, you are wearing dark clothing and walk out into the street instead of using a marked crosswalk.

Driving without your lights on is another problem. People take for granted that other drivers can always see them, not true!

Another driving disaster waiting to happen is that on frosty and snowy days, people do not take the time to let their cars warm up so the ice and snow can melt. The purpose--clear windows so that you can see, not little holes that you have scraped. You absolutely cannot see everything around you with just a little hole on the driver's side of the windshield.

We are all responsible for our driving and need to be ultra cautious during the upcoming holiday season and winter months ahead. However, it is not only the drivers; the pedestrians and bicyclists need to be accountable as well. We all have the responsibility of keeping our streets safe for everyone, it is time we take that seriously and do our part to make this a safe, accident free season.

And of course, heed these words of caution-Don't drink and drive!

Cheryl Deckard

Marysville

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