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A Child's Death Wish

By Jack deWit

by Jack deWit

Last week I wrote about some drivers who create a hazard on our roads. Their lack of knowledge of the significance of road signs, poor habits in executing turns, and the use of unsafe and illegally equipped vehicles degrades safety on our roads. This week I would like to comment on a subject that may very well be deadlier.

On two occasions this week I have had the misfortune of operating my truck near several schools, but not through school zones. Misfortune you ask? Well, in many ways it is because there is a danger looming near some schools that is going to cause a driver a lot of grief.

There seems to be a total disregard for vehicles while some students are crossing the streets. Crosswalks may be only 50 feet away while a group of students stroll across thoroughfares dodging cars as if it were a game. On Tabor Blvd. alone, I must have slowed or stopped at least 5 to 6 times to avoid these students. It was no better heading toward Central on 5th Avenue from Tabor Blvd. Four lanes of traffic and Fifth Avenue looked more like a pedestrian mall.

Is there no supervision by the school’s administrators, teachers, or parents? It is just a matter of time before a child is hit by a vehicle and sustains serious injury or even death. The driver of the vehicle involved will be scarred for the rest of their life. It may be a game for the students, however, for a driver the risk is very real.

If these children are willing to risk their lives by walking in front of vehicles without bothering to look, what will these students do when they become drivers? If their attitude remains the same I can see them deliberately driving over pedestrians. The fact is that they simply do not have any respect of others and that disrespect will continue to grow unless there is a severe effort by all those responsible to curb this growing disease. 

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On a much brighter note, I was very impressed by the Prince George Medical Office Assistants who have been collecting the tabs from drink cans for the B.C. Kidney Foundation. This group shipped 1200 lbs. to Surrey this spring. Thanks to Van-Kam Freightways Ltd. for transporting the tabs free of charge.

The Kidney Foundation sells the tabs and the proceeds are used in sponsoring children from all over B.C. who require a dialysis machine to attend Camp Zajac near Mission. The MOAA’s from around the province contribute to the cause; however, our local MOAA Chapter is by far the leader with their contributions. Over the last five years 6,000 lbs. have been shipped from Prince George.

Of course I must mention that the MOAA’s could not do this without a lot of assistance. There are hundreds of patients, students, the incarcerated, service clubs, and other organizations that bring tabs to the doctor’s offices. A big THANK YOU goes out to ALL who support this very worthwhile effort.
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