FLASH: Be aware at all crossings

A couple of comments on the story in Saturday’s Press, “Flash: Safety improved at Rathdrum crosswalks:”

First, the photo accompanying the story appears to be of a crosswalk on Highway 53, rather than Highway 41.

Second, more importantly, observing the two freshmen from Lakeland High School in the photo (one cell phone talking, one texting) indicates that a little less smartphone and a little more smart student might be in order. One of the observed drawbacks of this type of pedestrian signal system is that users, particularly older and younger, tend to be complacent and assume that the signal guarantees their safe crossing of the highway ... NOT the case, of course. The Rathdrum schools in the area need to continually remind their students of the need to pay attention to the traffic until they are entirely across the highway.

MICHAEL PORCELLI

Post Falls