Further comment about KC pedestrian death

UMKC student Pei Chen was struck by an automobile as she crossed the street in a crosswalk in a school zone, by a driver who was speeding and improperly changing lanes to pass other drivers who had stopped to allow her to cross. Chen died about two weeks later. The driver was charged with a misdemeanor.

Chen's death has lead to quite a bit of discussion in local media outlets. Here are some of the latest letters and comments about the situation:

• The recent death of University of Missouri-Kansas City student Pei Chen in a crosswalk, near a school zone, suggests that Kansas City drivers need to slow down. --Brent Hugh, in a KCStar letter
  
  
• What a tragic and senseless loss for her family and the community.
  
  Yet it is even more amazing that we do not have more injuries and deaths because of drivers ignorant of or disobeying crosswalk laws. [She goes on to list many examples of drivers flagrantly violating laws relating to crosswalks.]
  
  If we are going to prevent injuries and deaths in the crosswalks of Kansas City, and be a pedestrian friendly city, let us educate the driving public about the laws and the dangers of speeding through crosswalks. Maybe people don't know they are supposed to stop for pedestrians at a crosswalk. This seems like a good time to educate them. Maybe we can save a few lives. --Suellen Dice, KCStar article
  
  
• Mike Hendricks' column about the University of Missouri-Kansas City student who was recently fatally hit by a car was sad but true. . . . If you don't want to worry about "slamming on your brakes" at an intersection, just slow down. --Terry Clevenger, KCStar letter to the editor
  
  
• At one time, a red traffic light meant stop. As I drive around this great metropolitan area it is clear that red traffic lights now mean hurry up and get through the intersection. . . .
  
  During the last quarter of 2002, I had no less than six close calls -- one as a pedestrian. Each driver was either hurrying to clear a red light, talking on a cell phone or both. It was only through defensive driving (and walking) that I was not hit. . . . --Jim Caccamo, KCStar article