1542 Pedestrian Warming

So I was stopped at a pedestrian crossing the other day and it got me wondering. Pedestrian crossings, as I'm sure you know, are not your regular crossings that have a traffic light. They are those crossings painted on the pavement, kind of like the ones the Beatles are walking on in the Abbey Road Album. The one where George is dressed like a gravedigger and Paul is supposedly dead.
The crossings are supposed to allow pedestrians to cross, without being struck dead by an inattentive motorist. Some pedestrians nearly have that happen, as they appear to feel the painted lines bestow some sort of invulnerability. They certainly show a capacity be impervious to a reasonable outlook about what drivers will and will not do.
Because even though it’s the law that people stop when a pedestrian enters the zone, those individuals should be aware laws never splinted a broken bone. And people break laws—and bones—all the time.
As I saw traffic come screeching to a halt when one such oblivious individual stepped out into the street, I had to ponder the wisdom of said crosswalks when it comes to the whole global warming thing.
It's always important to reduce trip miles in vehicles. Walking somewhere definitely prevents excess usage of fuel—to the walker.
But I also know that smoothness of traffic flow burns less fuel too. That's why the traffic-lighted intersections, with pedestrian countdown lights increase smoother traffic flow, fuel efficiency and less global warming gasses by allowing motorists to adjust to predictable stop/start outcomes. Less braking and less jackrabbit or other starts, less fuel burned.
So unfortunately, when one pedestrian causes 20 cars to come to an unexpected and sudden halt, a whole bunch of greenhouse gasses get emitted.
Proving once again one law never gets broken, the law of unintended consequences.
America, ya gotta love it.