Patches Mom

Ok here is my story I walk the dogs Buddy & Patches on a Medical scooter when on the street Patches rides or going across streets she does not walk beside us until we are on a wide sidewalk. Of course Buddy walks all the time, Buddy is a 90 # Black & Rust Doberman about 30" at the shoulder, he usually wears a Red & Blue back pack with extra water poop bags & treats in it.The scooter is RED has a bicycle flag on back with a USA Flag taped to the top of the orange bicycle flag.Have an Air Horn tied to the scooter but is hard to use and use the throttle to run the scooter. I also have a Dog Whistle around my neck this is the problem to go to the Fairgrounds where the wide sidewalks are we have to cross a busy street twice. Once to go over to the Fairgrounds & once back the I push the walk button wait for the light that says walk we start across. Cars in front of us can make right hand turns but are suppose to YIELD for persons walking across the street. NOT twice I have had to stop and have a car make a right hand turn in front of us, I have taken to blowing my Dog Whistle at them ? Hubby thinks some one will shoot us or beat us up for me blowing the whistle??? I cannot stay in the street stopped have to get to the other side since I'm about 3/4th of the way across anyway. Any ideas how can I make myself & the dogs more visible??? You would think everyone could see us ?
Thanks
Patches Mom
Buddy & Patches

lolonurse

Hi - What state are you in? Any state that allows right turns on red also has very stringent "yield" laws. Since you are disabled, and since this is regarding basically one particular crosswalk, I think you should write a letter to your mayor, cc the chief of police or sheriff and the public works department, and also send a copy to the local Chamber of Commerce. In it, you should state that you are able to enjoy outings with your dogs thanks to the scooter, and that you have made every effort and then some, to be sure you are very visible, but that you are finding that drivers are acting as if they have the right of way. Tell them that you are specifically at risk at that certain intersection, and ask them to place extra signage there, or a "No Right Turn on Red" sign, or you will need to call the police for an escort when you want to go out. Invoke your rights under the Americans With Disabilities Act, and as a citizen with the same rights to enjoy your community as anyone else. Depending on how upset you are, you can suggest that if they can't find a way to remedy the situation, you will send a copy of your letter to the newspaper, or your local TV consumer advocate....... They love human interest stories. So - whaddya think? lois (i used to do this type of advocacy stuff for my patients, but now, I do it for fun!! I can be a real BB.)

DLS

I am sorry that most people are in such a freakin' hurry that they do not give you the right of way. I am not sure what to suggest, other than maybe asking anyone else crossing to assist you and your Dobes while crossing the street. Or carrying some really rotten eggs to chuck at the cars that do not stop for you. Idiots, just wait until they are in your position one day, maybe then they will understand how difficult getting around can be.

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Patches Mom

The Police Auxiliary station is about a block from my house have thought of going there and asking about what else can I do they see me all the time. Across from there building is a gravel walk its the detention pond for flood control we sometimes go there and walk.Nothing but businesses back there but feel fairly safe with the police place riight across the street.
lolnurse thanks live in Oklahoma may write to the mayor not sure of what to say may just write what I wrote here in DT my first post you think that would work? About a year ago a man was hit & killed in his motorized wheel chair but he was on a busy street I try my best to use the side walks as much as possible. Then this week my mother said she read an article in the newspaper about a woman getting hit by a car that one I missed. Hubby thinks I'm going to get run over I have in the past walked my dogs all over but now Spinal Stenosis does not let me walk long distances which Buddy needs.
Patches Mom

Julie W

Go naked. That will get their attention.

Seriously though, I like lolonurse's advice.

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lolonurse

Patches Mom - I seriously think that when you write to the mayor, you need to include a little bit stronger language, and a specific request for a "No Turn On Red" sign at this intersection. You should also cite the 2 instances you mentioned below, of handicapped folks being struck/killed, and suggest that perhaps people in your community not only lack awareness and sensitivity towards physical challenges, but may not have the best skills or compliance with traffic laws. Most laws yield to the weaker (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc) - and there is NEVER a time where a right turn on a red light supersedes the flow of green light traffic - OR where a car may turn when the pedestrian walk sign is in the pedestrian's favor. So don't be a pansy (teasing) - be righteously angry, not a victim - you'll get more response that way. (and do cc at least 1 other person - elected officials will ignore something that they figure is only to them, but they hate being exposed to other officials, and will act, or at least respond. and there is always the petition - a very useful and effective tool!)

Also, here's a website that might be useful... oklahomadisabilitylaw.org
keep us posted! lois

Patches Mom

So far e-mailed the chief of police & the mayor's office will write hard copy snail mail letters over the week end,mail them Monday. Thanks for all the help scares me to almost get hit by a pick up truck and a car its like they are so busy looking for cars they fail to see us. Lov the naked idea but against the law thank goodness would scare them to death or get run over for sure.Still do not see how some one can miss a 30" 90 # Doberman, Red scooter & a Red Dachshund Fire Trucks are red but very big. I would be so Mad if someone hurt my dogs would go to jail for beating them to death most likely.
Next is the newspaper maybe.
Thanks for all the ideas.
Patches mom
Buddy & Patches