As the winter snow began in November, Annabelle Abbadessa of Saranac Lake wrote a letter to the editor expressing concern about people walking in the middle of the roads, even when there’s a sidewalk right there. She noted that she sees this not only in winter, when sidewalks are sometimes covered with snow and ice, but in warm weather, too.

“I also do a lot of walking around our community; it’s a great walkable town!” she wrote. “I know people who don’t have consistent transportation and use the sidewalk when they are traveling by foot. But it just boggles my mind to see people disregard the sidewalks entirely.”

She’s right. People do tend to walk in the street in Saranac Lake, even when there’s a perfectly usable sidewalk right there. Not only have I seen it many times; I’ve done it many times as well. But I have also been on the other side of the situation.

On my way to work a few weeks ago, I stopped at a stop sign in my neighborhood and signaled to turn left. It was after dark — which means after 4:30 p.m. As I turned, I suddenly came face-to-bumper with a man and woman walking in the street up the small hill: She was using a cane, and he was pushing her wheelchair. They were both wearing dark clothing. Although I slammed on the brakes, it was too close to avoid the car reaching them.

Thanks to God, or luck, the car squeezed right between them, missing them by what must have been millimeters. My car actually bumped the man’s hand, but he insisted it was fine.

It terrified me. I almost killed those people. I apologized to them probably a dozen times, and I ran to retrieve the wheelchair that had rolled down the hill, for all the good that did.

For the most part, I believe this was truly just an accident, but there are precautions various parties could have taken that might have prevented it.

I could have been more cautious when driving around corners at night, although a car’s headlights only point straight, not left down the dark street I was turning into that evening.

The pedestrians could have worn brighter clothing and not walked in the street; however, I can see why someone with a wheelchair and cane would avoid the sidewalk on that hill, which at the time was covered in snow. Also, there are many village streets without a sidewalk.

It’s also worth noting that the people I almost hit were walking facing oncoming traffic, which is generally said to be safer. However, if a car or truck turns into your traffic lane, there’s very little time to react.

The village Department of Public Works, while it does a great job with main roads’ sidewalks, could clear neighborhood sidewalks a bit better. This one was passable, for me, but not as clear as the street.

Saranac Lake is a wonderfully walkable village, and it’s great that plenty of people take advantage of that. Walking is good for the body, mind, soul and wallet.

But as with anything, it requires appropriate precautions — and not just for pedestrians.

Drivers, please remember that there are a lot of pedestrians out there, and even though they should use the sidewalks more often, they don’t always. Be aware you might come upon them at any time, and be extra-careful going around corners at night.

DPW folks, we at the Enterprise know you have a million things to do, but please do your best to maintain sidewalks in neighborhoods as well as on main roads.

Finally, pedestrians, please use sidewalks whenever possible, even if you have to slog through snow or baby-step on ice. If you need better traction for your feet, strap-on traction footwear is available at several local stores.

If you must walk in the street after dark, please make yourself visible with bright clothing. Reflective vests or strips are available for purchase.

Fortunately, I can’t think of any recent car-pedestrian deaths. Let’s try to keep it that way.