BARRE – Traffic this morning has come to a complete standstill in Barre, with vehicles packed bumper-to-bumper all the way from Grakles antiques on Main street to the Cumberland Farms on Rte. 2 Berlin Street in Montpelier. No movement has taken place for almost 3 hours as the car at the front of the line continues to allow pedestrians to cross in front of it.
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Patience Tardif, the driver of the first stopped vehicle. “Pedestrians have the right of way, and I’m just being courteous.” The driver of the car directly behind her felt differently about her level of courtesy, and spent 25 minutes honking their horn before giving up and going for bagels.
One possible explanation for the exceptionally long stream of pedestrians in the street came from a police officer who had been dispatched to the scene in case of a sudden riot stemming from communal road rage. “I think people walk a little slower nowadays owing to they’re all looking at their phones,” said the officer. “Just takes a bit more time is all, crossing I mean. But they’ll get there.”
At press time, they had not yet gotten there. Updates to follow if and when the traffic does get moving today.
Image Credits: Doug Kerr.
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