Pedestrian gives perspective from the other side of the road

While many people choose to drive their way from point A to point B, some people still choose to take the more scenic route home on foot. Robert Anzovino chose to walk to where he needs to go to save money, but crossing some streets makes him worried.

“It makes me nervous to think that people are that impatient to not respect the fact a person very well can turn back around the path that they came,” said Robert Anzovino of Cathedral City. In the intersection of Vista Chino and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs, two people were killed while crossing the street within weeks of each other. Monday night, 64-year-old, Jana Ploss was killed at the same intersection, it’s a legal crosswalk for pedestrians but does not have painted lines. “It’s your responsibility as a pedestrian not to walk out in front of traffic as well as its the objective of the driver to avoid people in the street,” Anzovino said. California Vehicle codes 21954 and 21955 state pedestrians are able to cross the street at an intersection without a painted crosswalk, but pedestrians can only cross when the road is clear of traffic. Even though the intersection of Vista Chino and Via Miraleste in Palm Springs falls into the jurisdiction of Caltrans, city leaders asked to meet with the agency in hopes of finding a solution before another life is taken.

But pedestrians another element they need to be cautious of, valley intersections are often dark and hard to see. “I have a tiny flashlight that I got at the 99 Cent Store that I could hold as the light is shining in my face. I could use little flashlight as I was crossing the street to help illuminate myself,” Anzovino said. Anzovino said it’s important to make yourself visible to drivers by wearing bright clothes or reflective gear. But pedestrians must also be aware of their safety and use common sense.