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Nominations for Worst Pedestrian Danger Zones

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I can't tell you how many pedestrians I've seen come within inches of becoming a fatality statistic because neither the walker nor the driver was paying attention. The walkers appear to be looking the other way rather than at oncoming vehicles. I've even seen a father inch out a child in a stroller from behind parked cars.

I have twice come close to being hit, and I always cross with the light and in the crosswalk. One car backed to within five inches of me. The other incident involved an SUV driver who was on her cellphone and looking down as she ran a red light and made a turn.

Gloria D. Hacker

Chevy Chase

Traffic Tension

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

I see driver-pedestrian competitions all too often. Despite well-marked crosswalks across Virginia Avenue near G Street NW, it is a real challenge to get a driver to stop for a pedestrian. I have seen motorcycle cops and police cruisers whiz right on by, too.

Such skirmishes also occur on 23rd Street NW at Columbia Plaza, where there is a constant flow of jaywalkers crossing mid-block to the shops there. This is a busy thoroughfare with multiple lanes of traffic in both directions.

Ray Sphar

Foggy Bottom

We'll talk more about such danger zones, so please continue to send in your nominations.

Dr. Gridlock appears Thursdays in the Extras and Sundays in the Metro section. Send e-mails todrgridlock@washpost.comor write to Dr. Gridlock at 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. Include your name, community and phone numbers.

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