Being a pedestrian is not easy these days. Motor vehicles rule the roads, and large SUVs are getting increasingly popular. For those who dare venture onto the streets on foot, statistics indicate that over 80,000 pedestrians per year are injured by motor vehicles in the United States. In the U.S., however, even the most urban regions are not nearly as flooded with pedestrians as in the world's most populous countries, where pedestrian risks are directly related to overcrowding. In suburban regions where pedestrians are hardly ever seen except perhaps within walking distance of shopping centers, the danger of pedestrian injuries on local roadways can be paradoxically more pronounced than on urban streets. This danger could and should be eliminated.

Braddock Road is one of the longest and busiest roadways in Fairfax County, Virginia. Barring heavy morning traffic, cars usually whiz past at far above the 40 mile-per-hour speed limit. Hardly anyone can be seen actually walking alongside this road. Of course, not everyone is fortunate enough to have a car to call his own, so Metro buses also have stops alongside Braddock. Any resident who has ever lived without transportation would know, though, that much prior planning is required to make any journey via these buses. Unlike in urban regions, suburban buses hardly run more than once every half an hour during rush hour, and the time gap stretches to more than an hour around midday. Thus, it is not unexpected that bus seekers suddenly become pedestrians out of necessity.

For those who have never set foot on Braddock or on any other main road, it would be logical to assume that the task is not much different from walking anywhere else. If anything, it would seem, it would be easier than walking neighborhood roads without stoplights or signs. The reality, in fact, is just the opposite. Suppose one day you decide to go shopping, but you missed the bus at the stop where you usually transfer. The weather is nice, and so you decide to walk the mile or so it takes to get to the shopping center and get exercise in the process. Starting first on a regular sidewalk, you realize that the roadside soon turns into gravel and grass. This "sidewalk" soon becomes narrower and narrower, to the point that you are standing as far to the right as possible to avoid being hit by cars coming from behind you. You cannot help but notice the cars, for each passes with a whiff of wind that resembles a warning. One more foot toward the vehicles, you think, and the cars would be running you over.

As if the roadside is bad enough, you soon reach a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. The shopping center is not far away. Yet, before you can reach your destination, you must cross the ramp where cars make their way onto the Capital Beltway. First, you try to signal to the drivers, making motions with your hand to let them know of your existence. Next, you try a more threatening approach by making a motion as if to cross, hoping that cars would at least slow down. Neither methods result in any reaction from the drivers focused on getting to their destination as quickly as possible. You try to plan out other alternative routes of getting across, but still to no avail; a direct crossing across the ramp is the quickest and perhaps least dangerous method. You see a small break in the traffic and get ready to make a dash for it, but soon realize that the cars are going way too fast to prevent you from becoming another roadkill statistic. You almost give up and decide to head back, until luck finds you in the form of a traffic jam.

One major obstacle through, you continue on your way across the narrow, grassy roadside edge until you reach a traffic light. You press the button to walk and wait patiently until the white walking sign appears, happy that such a device reaffirms your right to walk and cross the intersection. You start to cross onto the road, but jump back when a car cuts you off. It was turning to the right. A minor setback, you think, until you realize that the majority of the cars were turning, often without even putting their turning signals on. Before you know it, the "Don't Walk" signal has appeared ominously, just as the traffic going in your direction finally starts to clear up. Dreading the prospect of another wait-and-see game, you dash across the intersection, making through half of the way when the traffic across from you obtains a green light. Luckily, although drivers do not even consider pausing, at least they have the decency not to start their engine and knock you over in broad daylight. Finally, you arrive tired, sweaty, and nervous at the shopping center.

The preceding scenario is unfortunately far too typical of the plight of unwitting pedestrians in the suburban world of motor vehicles. Fortunately, this plight can be easily assuaged, starting off with the replacement of inches of gravel and grass along the roads with actual sidewalks or even a widened, well-defined trail that continues indefinitely along a large road such a Braddock. A one-time cost to make this addition is well worth the safety and piece of mind of unsuspecting pedestrians. Drivers should also be more considerate. After all, pedestrians still have the right of way according to the law. So next time, when you are in your comfortable car zooming to school or work, look around you and pay attention to any unfortunate souls who might be walking. Take note of the condition of the roadside, and think to yourself, "What would I do if I had to walk on this stretch of road?"