The Art of Jaywalking, Part 4

Well, I never. On a website called DCist (which to me sounds like either "diseased" or "deceased"), there's a post arguing against the merits of jaywalking (see "Thoughts on Jaywalking"). The author of the article, one Alex Lundry (Dirty Laundry?) posits that jaywalkers in his quadrant of the city have increased the "number of vehicular homicides I've flirted with." Wow. Maybe he should not drive -- what with all his buried rage and barely veiled anger toward pedestrians. However, without reprinting the entire article here and attacking it point-by-point, I will say that Mr. Laundry Hamper does raise at least one cogent issue: Jaywalkers should not be arrogant. Yes, generally we have the right of way. But don't take advantage of that. Use the crosswalk when you can. If you absolutely must jaywalk, minimize the risks. Make sure there's a safe distance between you and any oncoming traffic. And ensure that you time it correctly. Timing is really everything. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the other side of the street. And, please, for the love of Mike, do not raise your hand up to an oncoming car in an effort to stop it. Don't taunt the enemy. Elude him.