Always, always, always look both ways.

This is lesson no.2 for incoming freshmen.  (To recap, No.1 is stay off the roof.)  

We jaded Bostonians see something like this, and, you know, it's hard.  It's hard because it really is a tragedy—this young woman who was struck and killed was just seventeen.  And we know Boston's streets are mean.  It's no picnic crossing 'em.  

But if you've ever driven a car or ridden a bike in Boston, you know how obnoxiously, willfully oblivious a disproportionate number of Boston's pedestrians are when crossing the street.  They step right out in front of you.  Often they're gabbing on their cell phones or plugged into their ipods, in a world of their own.  Nine times out of ten they're jaywalking, and don't bother about the right-of-way.  They don't ever look at you, or even in the direction of oncoming traffic.  And then they don't hussle—they sorta shlep across the street.

I'm not saying motorists and cyclists are saints, but it's a miracle that more pedestrians aren't struck and killed like this—and it's no thanks to pedestrians, themselves, that's for sure.

I was talking to a colleague of mine who's a cycling fanatic, and I was like, "hey, did you hear about that student who was hit by a car last night crossing Memorial Drive?" 

"Good!" He blurted out. 

He could see I was a little startled by his reaction.

He said, "well, not 'good,' but you know: students, pedestrians."

Yes, I know.  Students and pedestrians, and worst of all: student-pedestrians.  The most infamous species of menace for Boston motorists and cyclists, hands-down. 

On reflection, his first reaction was natural in a way.  Because you see so many people doing such brazenly, dangerously stupid things on the streets of Boston, and they seem to think it's everyone else's responsibility to look out for them.  Make way for ducklings! 

Do us all a favor:  unplug your ipods, refrain from making calls, and if you must cross the street, do so at a crosswalk, and always look left-right-left before you step off the curb, even if you have the light.   These are all simple steps you should've learned in grade school.

Obviously, primary education ain't what it used to be.  BU might consider adding some courses to the freshman-year curriculum.  Basic life-skills type stuff. Street Crossing 101, for example.  Or, you know, we have crossing guards on the corner every morning for the children at the elementary school down the street.  Maybe BU should try that, too.