Pedestrians beware: Md. drivers don't know the traffic laws

As a cyclist and pedestrian, I thought the article "For pedestrians, Md. is one of the most dangerous" (Jan. 24) was particularly appropriate. Recently, I was out bicycling in Columbia and was waiting on the sidewalk to cross at one of the marked pedestrian crosswalks on Great Star Road in the River Hill community. As a driver blew through the intersection, I pointed up at the sign for pedestrian crossing, to direct his attention to it. He actually did a U-turn and came back to yell at me. He claimed that Maryland law didn't require him to stop and that and I had no business pointing to the sign; he then did another U-turn to return to westbound Great Star and, as he passed me, he rolled down his window to yell some invective.

Manners aside, the issue is that Maryland communities such as Columbia often install pedestrian crosswalks with signs and painted lines, but the signs don't tell drivers to stop. They just indicate a crosswalk, and I for one repeatedly find myself standing at them as drivers fly through. In some Maryland jurisdictions, such as Takoma Park, however, the same marked pedestrian crossing signs are accompanied by warnings: "Maryland Law: Stop for Pedestrians."

If Maryland towns aren't able to remind or educate drivers that state law actually requires them to stop at such intersections, I hope your article and this follow up note will help elevate awareness.

Ed Warner, Clarksville