Dear Editor:
On Tuesday, April 9 my guide dog and I were nearly hit by a careless driver on the southeast corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway. We were just starting to cross, with the right of way, when a pickup rounded the corner without slowing. Luckily my guide dog froze which is a signal to me to stop walking immediately.
I wish I could say that this was a rare event. Unfortunately near misses are all too common for the visually impaired and blind. I am especially fortunate to have a guide dog who is on a constant vigil to keep me safe. Visually impaired and blind persons relying on canes are even more vulnerable.
I am extremely frustrated and angry at the selfish attitude of drivers. Too many drivers are either not paying attention or are so self-important that they show no regard for anyone else on the road. I wonder how many pedestrians need to be injured and killed before drivers start to understand they are operating lethal weapons. As such, they need to be fully attentive and always courteous to pedestrians and other drivers. Too many have never learned that driving is a privilege and not a right.
Once again I am so grateful for having my guide dog. Otherwise I believe the outcome would have been much worse for me on April 9.
I also want to thank the three good citizens who stopped to make sure that my guide dog and I were OK.
Angus MacKinnon West Vancouver
