Just what is the point exactly?

Just the other day, dear reader, I was wondering what the point of crosswalks are.  I mean, it's not like people stop for them.  Let me explain why I was pondering this.  We (that is, my family and I) had just got back from a day up in Barrhead / Neerlandia, and were wondering what to do for supper.  Since Dianne and I weren't hungry, I decided that I would walk to Burger King and pick up a couple burgers and some fries for the kids.  Healthy?  No.  Quick and easy? Yes.  But, I digress.

So, I walk to BK.  Now, from my place, I have to cross a really busy avenue.  There is a controlled crosswalk about a block from where BK is, and there is also an uncontrolled crosswalk leading right to BK.  Normally, I would cross at the controlled one, but I chose to try the uncontrolled one.  Getting to BK was easy...there was no traffic and I ran like the wind.  Getting home was another story.  Traffic was whipping along the busy avenue, seemingly unaware of the lone pedestrian waiting to cross. Several of the drivers even gave me a dirty look, as if it's my fault that they almost decided to stop.  I gave them dirty looks back...after all, the burgers and fries were getting cold!!

So, there I stand.  The traffic is less now, but there is a little blue car coming down the lane....so I step out boldly.  Again, I got a dirty look, but at least the lady stopped.  So, I walked across the first lane...and had to stop again because dip-turd honky tonk man in his big Silverado decided not to stop.  As tempting as it was to flip him off, that would not be the proper thing to do.  So I waved at him....and he flipped me off.  It was at this point that I figured maybe I should have gone to the controlled crosswalk.  But, I trudged on.  I made it to the meridian safely and let out a big sigh of relief.  But, I still had 3 lanes to cross.  And about 24 cars were coming.  So...I ran.  Like the wind.  Whew, back on the right side of the avenue.

Now, all of this lead me to thinking...what is the purpose of this crosswalk?  Oh, most of you will say that it is so pedestrians can cross the street.  I don't believe a word of it.  I believe that the purpose of the crosswalk is so that potential crossers can make drivers angry.  I mean, why should a lowly pedestrian have the power to stop hundreds of tons of metal to stop?  It is not right!!  After all, in our busy world, who has time to stop for someone wanting to cross the street? 

Don't get me wrong, dear reader...I can understand not stopping for jay-walkers.  But if someone is at a crosswalk that is clearly lit and labelled?  Come on...slow down, take a deep breath and think about it.  Stop for the person wanting to cross.  Show a bit of courtesy.  Quit being a mong.  Don't let the burgers get cold for the poor walker.  I hope I see you trying to cross at a crosswalk someday....for I will stop.  And you will not know how to react, because you have never done it yourself.  And you will feel shame....and I will laugh.

And now, I go eat my kids burgers.  It took so long to cross the road, the kids were in bed by the time I got home.  Thanks dear driver....thanks.