Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Orange you glad they're not doing this here?


Sometimes our government officials go a bit too far in trying to micromanage the protection of the populace. The crackdown on cigarettes is one example. Who doesn't know that sucking hot, chemical-laden smoke into your lungs is bad for you? Do we really need larger warnings on cigarette packs? But there's a town in central Pennsylvania that is really going overboard. At two busy intersections, the borough of Lemoyne has installed bins filled with bright orange flags, according to the AP and The Patriot-News of Harrisburg. Pedestrians are instructed to pick up a flag and carry it with them as they cross the street. There is no indication as to whether they should wave it vigorously as they do so, but Councilman John Judson says it's a way to make pedestrians stand out and to remind motorists that those on foot have the right of way. Police officers will make sure the supply of flags is maintained, presumably so interest in the program doesn't, um, flag. The effort reminds me of the time W&J wanted to close a city street to vehicular traffic because its sheep - I mean, students - seem to have difficulty getting from Point A to Point B without wandering out in front of passing cars. Wouldn't it be simpler, and cheaper, if everybody's Mom just issued them a reminder to look both ways before crossing?

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9 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Speaking as someone who walks to work everyday and crosses a busy intersection, there's no way I would wave flags around as I crossed the street. I find glaring at motorists who try to plow through the intersection while I have the WALK signal is usually pretty effective.

--Brad Hundt

June 23, 2009 at 3:13 PM  
Blogger BAA said...

The fastest way from the ER I work in to the pharmacy, lab, and parking lot at our hospital is out the ambulance doors and across a busy, 3 lane, one-way street. We affectionately refer to it as "playing frogger" when we cross at the crosswalk. I would be afraid that waving an orange flag would make the motorists think I was worth extra points!

June 23, 2009 at 4:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why not require them to place tires around their torsos, just in case they do get hit?

June 23, 2009 at 6:19 PM  
Blogger Brant said...

Kinda like the Michelin man, huh? Good idea.

June 23, 2009 at 7:37 PM  
Blogger Ellipses said...

Who do I call when I need my butt wiped?

If that town has any "kids" under 25... they are going to go through a LOT of flags... hell, I am thinking of taking a field trip just to snooker a few... might be cheaper to just pay someone to dress in a chartreuse chicken suit to hold their hand while they cross...

June 24, 2009 at 8:19 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about some Sousa march music playing in the background. Crossing a street waving an orange flag and marching to Sousa would remind me of my days at old Claysville High.

June 24, 2009 at 4:12 PM  
Blogger Brant said...

The gold old Orange and Black!

June 24, 2009 at 4:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

All I want to know is how much money does the "flag cop" make and how can I get that job?

June 26, 2009 at 5:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If they are going to monitor flag distribution at the street corners with people, why not just make them crossing guards. It would feel just like second grade again.

June 28, 2009 at 8:23 AM  

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