DEAR CAR DRIVERS
Thank you for your kindness. I do not want this post to sound ungrateful. Really I don’t:
When you see me and my working girl (guide dog) Fizz waiting patiently at the curb edge to cross the road, I do not think you rude for driving on.
Stopping and (I can only assume) flash your lights, waving at me or even tooting your horn, (this I can hear) will not make me walk out into the road.
By stopping early for the junction you are being kind. But you are also putting me in danger. If I were to cross in front of you, your engine noise could mask that of a car coming the other way, or a car behind you could decide to overtake.
Unless I am on a designated crossing, Fizz is trained to not go before you. So I will stand and I will wave you on. I will put my hand up to wave a thank you, or give you a thumbs up; but please just keep going.
(Even more so when it is dark, both me and Fizz will be in high viz, but we are both dazzled by your headlights)
When I wave the first car on, why would I then walk before the 2nd? I am not doing it to be ‘carist’ I will wave each and everyone of you on.
I am not being rude, I am ensuring my own safely. Please understand, by stopping early you are often creating traffic build up, reducing the ‘natural gaps’ that would enable me and Fizz to cross safely.
I am not alone with this, all guide dog owners are taught this, as are all (or where when I was trained) long cane users.
If I am with a friend or a kind stranger has offered to help me cross. AND if crossing in front of you would be the only option, I will drop Fizz’s harness handle (walking her just by her lead) and taking the arm of the person with me. This removes the responsibility to guide me from my guide dog and is the only time I will ‘break the rules’
This is because we have assistance from a sighted guide.
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter xx
safe travelling to you all xx
Warm Wishes xx Tink
Leave a Reply