Notices by Madeleine Bonsma-Fisher, PhD (mbonsma@mastodon.social)

Actually it SHOULD be difficult and stressful to drive a car in a city and if it's not then you're not taking your responsibility seriously enough

We have been sold a message that driving should be easy, fun, relaxing, and convenient, that roads are where drivers should feel comfortable, and when someone on the street "comes out of nowhere" it is not your responsibility.

Pedestrians, it should be our right to be distracted. It should be our right to walk and listen to music / look at the sky / cute dogs / snowflakes and not worry about getting killed. Nothing about that is dangerous except for CARS. Don't let them make you believe you are the problem.

This is like an everyday normal thing, but it always shocks me how callous people are. She passed me that close on purpose, to teach me a lesson, and does not care AT ALL that it scared me and could have hurt me. She is driving a death machine and she thinks she is right.

I caught up to her at the light (obviously, it's a Friday afternoon in Toronto and #CarsRuinCities) and said "you shouldn't be driving if you don't know the rules." She told me I was wrong and drove away, I stood on the sidewalk and cried from frustration and rage.

18-inch close pass from a lady in a Tesla.
Me: you passed me way too close
Her: you need to share the road!!!! You need to ride close to the side!!!

Write this on my tombstone when the next asshole kills me:

YOU DO NOT NEED TO STAY TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE LANE IS TOO NARROW TO SHARE