Greetings, Miss Manners Despite the advice to walk with traffic rather than facing it, my dear neighbor frequently takes their dog for walks on our very isolated suburban streets without sidewalks. Additionally, they wear earbuds while they walk, making it hard to hear vehicles behind them as they listen to who knows what.
I have politely reminded them that facing traffic is safer and required by law so they can see approaching autos. The dog alerts me when automobiles are approaching, they said. To put the animal in even greater danger, the dog also crosses into the traffic lane on their left.
It’s true that drivers are cautious when they pass my neighbor on the road, but they must also be anxious that the walker won’t give them enough credit.
This individual and the dog are very important to me, and I don’t want to watch them suffer. How can I persuade them to abide by the guidelines for safe walking?
PERSONAL READER: You’ve made an effort. You will now need to wish for the best and keep in mind that your neighbor is free to make their own decisions according to both personal liberty and decorum.
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Miss Manners can be reached by email at [email protected], via her website at www.missmanners.com, or by mail at Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
