An 82-year-old woman was issued a ticket in California for crossing a street too slowly. A police officer, who arrived on a motorcycle, told her she was obstructing traffic – and issued her a summons for $114.
Responding to the
uproar caused by the curious traffic ticket, the municipality has begun to
wonder if it should work out ways to help seniors cross streets without fear of
incurring a penalty.
It is, of course,
much too optimistic to hope that the municipality and the nation at large will
speed to their rescue with such startling innovations as walk signs that last
longer.
As a result,
seniors, alarmed by the pricy citation, particularly those who are living on
social security, are taking steps of their own, as they frantically search for
ways to hurry along. Of course, electric wheelchairs have long been an option.
But many simply don’t see themselves in the undeniably helpful items, at least,
not until they encounter accidents due to the other resources they’ve been
turning to, for instance, roller skates.
We also understand
that bicycles have been selling briskly, particularly near retirement
communities.
Of course, those
who are fortunate enough to live with more able partners have the luxury of
looking into other options, such as little red wagons and, in rural areas,
wheelbarrows.
In a nutshell,
seniors are turning to every possible mode of expedition they can think of,
which generally means they’re equipped with the age-old facilitation of wheels.
While these
alternative modes of transportation might offer suitable answers during balmier
times, there is some concern about what to do when snow and ice cover the
ground. Among the more daring sorts, there is talk of skis, while others are
considering ice skates.
Until then, we can
at least be glad that the dear recipient of the instigating ticket was not also
issued points. Enough of those, and she’d have to be concerned about losing her
walking license.
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