If you’re a pedestrian, the Blocks have your back.
Laurie Block, sister of WEHOville publisher Larry Block, was recently featured in a LaJollaLight.com article highlighting her work giving out free reflective gear to attendees of the city’s open-air market.
“During the pandemic, many were exposed to the concept of personal protective masks and gear to prevent against COVID-19,” she said. “My view is that pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility, and we should use personal protective clothing to keep ourselves safe.”
Laurie says the reflective materials used in hats, jackets, wristbands and shirts direct a large portion of a light beam — such as a car’s headlight — back to its source.
“High-visibility safety apparel has the ability to help the driver put you in focus,” she said. “Retroreflective clothing has been shown to not only facilitate a driver’s early recognition of pedestrians but also increases their accuracy in determining the walking direction of pedestrians as they cross the street.”
Laurie’s brother Larry has also been a crusader for pedestrian safety.
In 2014, Block organized the Cross Safe WeHo campaign in response to a crash in which a man was hit by a car on Santa Monica Boulevard near Westmount. The collision caused his body to be thrown up in the air and onto the car’s windshield. Block took his campaign to City Hall, where he met with the city’s director of public works and other staffers, spurring them to embark on their own efforts to address crosswalk safety.
LYou go Blocks!
When I walk on any sidewalk,I always remember or try to remember to turn around before I use a crosswalk.The driver of any car wanting to make a turn needs to know of your presence and needs to know what you are going to do.
Eye contact is important.During the day,you can see a driver,but at night,you need more caution.
Walking in WEHO is an adventure not for the faint of heart. We should opt the reflective vests for ll pedestrians.