Our Expressways are for automobiles

       The flow of red taillights and bumper-to-bumper action as "standers-by" watch vehicles zip past on the 75 interstate, gazing for a means by which to cross; or along a particular stretch of pavement often thought more safe to venture down a street running along the speedway... the intent: keep their livelihood intact.  Still, there are some who view the 45 miles-per-hour plus roadway as simply another road, rolling the dice of life and inescapably taking chances against quick-paced traffic.  Although subjecting themselves to citations of extraordinary fines and risking prison confinement for their chosen behavior, walkers and bikers alike insist on being noticed as travelers along this grand network of interstate-connected roadways.  

       Stories of recent hardly deliver on the possibility of a mobility scooter being seen along these pathways, and yet the last scene on this stretch of highway was a granny with an attitude.  This 76-year-old, without a care in the world, declared that the safe routes were for chumps and started down the entrance ramp, groceries-in-hand, and attempted to cross the busy landscape with little time for motorists to react and/or respond to the astonishing scene.  Capturing the attention of what few automobile owners and operators that were safely able, the police were contacted with more than simply a few calls from concerned citizens.  This elderly daredevil didn't last long, as the local police force were privileged with attending to the seemingly unconcerned woman and proceeded to administer their civil duties on her behalf -- this time, in the form of a much safer ride home... with police escort.  

       Left with a verbal warning but recorded for future possibilities of incidents, not many would come to know whether the several attempts to facilitate an educational conversation into assisting the experienced citizen into seeing the error of her ways were, indeed, successful.  Slightly above snail's pace with her motorized scooter, a full mile was conquered by this insistent traveler, though who knows if she will venture further on her next attempt.  As some may perceive this story to be funny either in reporting or consuming as newsworthy content, perhaps this is one left for the book as an isolated incident and not worthy of a repeat performance -- by her or anyone.  In the end, some may be pleased to know that this story resolved with a happy, and albeit humorous ending, since not many similar conditions actually arrive to the same comforting end result.  

       More than sufficient fatalities have occurred along this particular stretch in recent years, with and without automotive involvement.  Perhaps this can double as a public service announcement that there are some unnecessary risks one is simply not required to take... and this story could have simply illustrated one.  As for observing a quicker means of travel across our local ravine of one-ton, traffic-laden current, new developments in our society have provided several other, and more viable solutions for our need to get around the city.  The Q-Line was recently installed and has successfully endured one winter.  Uber, Lyft, and other taxi-like alternative service providers have made themselves available via internet connection, telephone and mobile application.  Then, of course, there is always the friendly and trusted side street route that, while inconvenient for some, the safety level can be said to escalate significantly.  The rules of the road can be said to provide a guide toward best practice when traveling without a motorized vehicle, as they are in place for a reason, and whether we agree with them or not, penalties have been established to reinforce the need to follow these laws.  

       The speed demon of her elderly years; her days may be over for venturing into the traffic-filled abyss, though she perhaps acquired a thrill of the chase and could find new and fashionable ways to return from the grocery store.  Regardless of how that story might end, let society hope that our streets are one of relatively safe atmospheres and avoid erroneous judgment involving unnecessarily putting one's own -- or others -- lives at risk.  Allow the freeway to be available for the 2,000-pound, motorized vehicles.  Let us keep our wits about us as we travel home at any time of the day, since all it takes is a moment of veering off course to change, or end, one's life.  Although ideal and perhaps even excitingly convenient, reducing our travel time by only a few moments just may not be worth the risk in our regular commutes.