Last Friday, while walking across Middle Neck Road at the Grace Avenue intersection, I came within inches of being mowed down by a car making a left turn from Grace. It all happened in a scary blur, but I think when I actually saw the car bearing down on me, I took a jump backward; somehow I ended up with my hand on the hood. Was I under some misguided notion that I could actually stop the car? The driver, a young woman, did say before she roared away, "Sorry... but I had the light!" Obviously, she was a little foggy on the relative frailness of the human body when hit by a 3,000-pound car, which is the reason pedestrians have the right of way.

Actually, this is the time to confess that I consider myself a rather skilled jaywalker. My motto is "Look twice and assume that drivers will be one of three 'I's, either inept, inattentive or inconsiderate." But in the Friday misadventure, I was lulled into a sense of false security because the little beckoning pedestrian hand was lit up at the crosswalk and I was not watching for drivers whose sole mission is to play Make That Light.

And by the way, my thanks to the young woman with the baby carriage behind me who asked if I was all right and who confirmed for me that yes, we actually, also "had the light."

Rattled and grateful that I hadn't suffered a heart attack, I proceeded to my appointment. Afterwards, I went back to the corner of my mishap, and just watched the lights. Sure enough, there is never a truly guaranteed safe time to cross the street if you just obey the traffic signals.

Since the mayor of the Plaza, Jean Celender, is committed to improving the traffic flow and safety of the village, I was wondering if an all-way traffic stoplight has ever been considered for the most notoriously dangerous intersections. That way, pedestrians could cross in all directions at one time. All cars would be stopped. But when the green go ahead is given, it would be for real. You wouldn't have the toxic mix of ambling pedestrians and impatient drivers making left turns.

Until then, cross the street at designated crosswalks with the light, but pretend you're jaywalking. Look both ways and expect the worse from drivers.

That pedestrians have the right of way is of small consolation if you end up at the emergency room.

- By Carol Frank