I am blind and use a guide dog. I listen for the traffic to know when it is safe to cross the road. If a vehicle drives by too close in front or behind me, my dog's job is to push me out of harm's way.
I've had drivers cutting me off even if I indicate I'm going to cross. Although my dog allows me the independence to safely navigate Prince George, I feel more and more vulnerable crossing the road due to aggressive, or impatient drivers.
Just this afternoon I was crossing 7th and Brunswick when a driver blew by me making my dog slow and push me back.
Last week, at the same intersection, I was almost hit by a speeding motorcycle. My dog had to jerk me back quite hard.
I am sure that if I had been using a cane instead of a dog I could have been badly injured. These are two of several incidents that have happened in the past two weeks.
In the "Learn to Drive Smart" driver's manual, in Chapter Six, "Sharing the Road", it reads on page 84: "Watch for pedestrians with disabilities - take extra care if you see a person who's visually impaired. (They may be carrying a white cane or accompanied by a guide dog.) Often, they will raise their cane when they're uncertain about crossing the street safely. That is your signal to stop and give the person the right-of-way. Don't startle them or their guide dog by racing your engine or honking your horn."
This information is available for download at www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/pass-veh/roadsense-drivers.
Please be more attentive to and considerate of blind persons using a white cane or a guide dog.
Jen McEachen (and guide dog Nixon)
Prince George
