We appreciate the Portland Press Herald's detailed coverage of the increase in pedestrian fatalities this year.
As the article suggests, there's no single cause and no single solution for this problem.
We need more facilities for pedestrians and people on bikes, better road design, more education for all road users, and the enactment and enforcement of laws that protect vulnerable users.
In the meantime, we ALL need to share the roads better. Pedestrians and people on bikes are not obstacles—they are fellow Mainers who have the same rights to the roads as drivers. Drivers should be expecting vulnerable users in the travel lane, on shoulders, and in crosswalks.
Although it's disappointing that it's come to this, we also urge pedestrians and people on bikes to expect the worst from motorists. Although drivers have a larger responsibility, should be traveling at or below the speed limit, and must never drive distracted, tired, or under the influence, we can't assume they are doing the right thing. We need to be vigilant.
Driving is an enormous responsibility. Proceed with caution, and treat it life a life-or-death situation...because it absolutely is.
Please drive, ride, and walk safely, and let's do better in 2022.