Nominations for Worst Pedestrian Danger Zones

There are crosswalks in the block between North Ripley and Duke, and between South Reynolds Street and Duke, and yet pedestrians cross Duke between those crosswalks, in front of traffic. I have witnessed this behavior on almost every block of Duke. Pedestrians seem to prefer defying death to walking a few feet to a crosswalk at a stoplight.

Jaywalking plus speeding cars and driver inattention due to cellphone use are a recipe for disaster.

Another area where pedestrians risk getting hit by speeding cars is on the quarter-mile of South Reynolds Street between Duke Street and Edsall Road. Because of parked cars on either side of this two-lane street, the hilly terrain and speeding motorists, people darting out from between the parked cars are endangering themselves and others.

In addition, the intersection of South Reynolds and Duke has a gas station and convenience store on opposite corners. During commuting hours, there are backups here, and pedestrians crossing illegally between the cars waiting for the light make for a dangerous situation.

Judith Johnson

Alexandria

Distraction Dangers

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

One dangerous area for pedestrians is Wisconsin Avenue as it crosses from Chevy Chase into the District. Included in this area are the surrounding streets of Western Avenue, Military Road, Willard Avenue and Friendship Boulevard.