Living Dangerously in James Bay!

By Peter A. Morris

Who would have thought James Bay would be a risky place to live? I think that, in the nine or so years we have lived here, my life has been in danger more times on crosswalks, than in fifty years at sea!

The buses are pretty good at crosswalks, but any other vehicles? You had better watch out, you are fair game!

A good place to observe irresponsible drivers is the five-ways corner. Most drivers are unable to handle taking in so much information at once. Looking in several directions at the same time, as well as controlling a motorized vehicle, is overpowering for them.

Then there are those who get frustrated with other drivers who don’t know or care about giving way to the car on the right when arriving at the stop sign at the same time.

Stop sign? Are you kidding? Most drivers do not know the meaning of the words! Stop for them is slowing down and going non-stop across the road.

My mention of ‘other vehicles’ includes bicycles, of which one such idiot rider actually accelerated as my wife and I were on the crossing by Pharmasave, and went between the sidewalk and us in a gap of maybe six feet!

Another time she was on the sidewalk, stepped to one side to avoid a mess, and was struck by a mature cyclist riding at speed; he proceeded to foul mouth HER.

And what does the City do about the situation? We all know the answer to that .... nothing!

Danger is not restricted to James Bay. In August, I was enjoying a quiet walk on the beach at Cadboro Bay when, without warning, I was attacked by a pit bull terrier who took a flying leap, striking me and biting me in the left upper chest. He dropped to the ground and circled to make another attack, which I was able to sop by striking him with a walking stick I fortunately had with me.

The owner of the dog wandered casually up to me and said, “Oh, he didn’t bite you, did he?” Whilst I stood in shock, teeth marks in my chest, my shirt ripped and shredded, and she went on her way with a female companion and her small yapping terrier, as well as the offending pit bull.

The Island is a great place to live as a senior, but make sure you walk carefully, and carry a big stick!