Kuldīga woman describes near-collision on pedestrian crossing

A resident of Kuldīga who works at a local newspaper has shared an account of a dangerous incident at a roundabout on Sūru Street. While crossing a pedestrian crossing on her bicycle, a car passed close by her, grazing the bicycle, without the driver slowing down. She managed to stop in time to avoid being hit. On the other side of the road, two children on bicycles were also present and managed to stop in time.

According to the author, the driver, despite witnessing the near-collision, continued driving without looking back or stopping. Passengers in the car, who observed the situation, appeared shocked, while the children's faces showed fear.

A recurring issue

The author notes that, through her work in journalism, she has written extensively about driving culture and traffic safety. When surveying residents on the topic, many identified pedestrian crossings as the most dangerous spots in the city. She has also personally observed cases where drivers and cyclists take risks by not fully stopping at crossings.

The author also recalls other incidents, including being met with aggression from a pedestrian while cycling, as well as disapproving looks from other pedestrians when cyclists use parts of the road not intended for them.

Comparison with other countries

The author argues that stricter traffic rules and penalties alone will not change the situation, since behavior on the road reflects broader societal attitudes. She notes that in Scandinavia, pedestrians and drivers often greet each other, showing mutual respect, while in Southern Europe, horn signals are used more frequently. In Latvia, she suggests, the tendency in dangerous situations is to stay silent and avoid drawing attention.