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Pedestrians vs. Drivers
Viking River Cruises
Q. What are the laws
governing pedestrians
Exploring the World in Comfort
Benedictine Abbey overlooking the fairy tale village
of Melk, Austria is simply amazing.
crossing the street? Are
A river cruise is very di erent from an ocean cruise.
they required to cross only
By Sandy Fenton
Forget about crowded on-and-o -the-ship tender
at crosswalks or can they
service; you literally sail directly to the heart of your
legally cross at any point
destinations and walk right o the ship into the center
on the road? If they are
of town. A Viking river cruise is all about cultural
not in a crosswalk and step
enrichment, traditional local entertainment, ne
out in front of oncoming
Tpr. Adam Reed,
dining (including complimentary wine, beer and soft
drivers, who is at fault if
Coordinator,
drinks during lunch and dinner), luxurious amenities,
Public Information
an accident occurs to the
lovely staterooms and outstanding sta . And there's a
O ce
pedestrian or another
light and airy feeling throughout the ship.
vehicle? This is a very
One of my Christmas Market cruise highlights was
unsafe practice for both pedestrian and driver.
sailing with Michele Saegesser, Viking's Vice President
­Concerned Drivers of South Central PA
of Sales. I was thrilled to recently welcome her to the
A. The answer to this question comes down
WHP-AM580 "Let's Talk Travel with AAA" studios and
to the location in which the pedestrian is
ask her a few more questions.
attempting to cross. In an area designated by the
B
Q. How would you describe the di erence between a
y now we all know that European river cruises
law as an "urban district," which is de ned as a
Viking river cruise and another line?
have exploded in popularity. They continue to be
"street which is built up with structures devoted
A. Viking's tremendous success has been built on
the fastest growing segment in the travel industry ­
to business, industry or dwelling houses situated
owning and managing our own product. We control
and I totally get what all the fuss is about.
at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance
quality from beginning to end and make sure to
In October 2011, my husband Stewart and I
of a quarter of a mile or more," a pedestrian can
o er a consistent value and service standard. This
experienced our rst European river cruise and sailed
only cross at designated crosswalks. In other
year Viking will have the largest eet available, with
the famous Blue Danube from Budapest, Hungary to
words, you can only cross the street at crosswalks
51 ships allowing more itineraries, departures and
Nuremberg, Germany onboard Viking River Cruises'
if you are attempting to do so in a town or city.
stateroom types.
Prestige. We loved every moment and it totally
In a more rural area, a pedestrian may cross the
exceeded my expectations. (Having 100+ ocean
road at any location, assuming it is safe to do so.
Q. How would you describe a typical Viking guest?
cruises under my belt, that's not an easy task.)
The law states that a driver of a vehicle "...shall
A. Well-traveled, 50+, past ocean-cruiser wanting a
I couldn't stop gushing about our experience and
yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing
more intimate and insightful travel experience. More
knew this was the rst of many river cruises to come.
the roadway within any marked crosswalk
cultural immersion and fewer crowds are priorities.
When asked what itinerary I wanted to do next, that
or within any unmarked crosswalk at any
Q. What are your top three expert words of advice to
was simple...I wanted to go back to the Danube
intersection." That same vehicle code section,
a rst time Viking river cruise guest?
­ during the winter ­ for a Christmas Market cruise.
Title 75, Section 3542 Right-of-way to Pedestrians
A. Leave the tuxedos and gowns at home. Bring your
And we did.
in Crosswalks, goes on to note that pedestrians
most comfortable clothes. RELAX.
In December 2013, we returned to the Danube, and
must also use caution when attempting to
this time we were onboard Viking's newest Longship
cross a road. It states that "No pedestrian shall
Q. What makes a Christmas Market sailing so
­ the stunning Magni. We began this truly magical
suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety
magical?
journey in Budapest and sailed through Slovakia and
and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which
A. As you know, Sandy, that's the only word to truly
Austria before ending in picture postcard perfect
is so close as to constitute a hazard."
describe the market season in Europe. First, it's
Passau, Germany.
Care must be observed by all parties involved.
the food in the markets ­ bratwursts grilling, hot
A Viking River Danube cruise is all about scenery
A good recommendation for the pedestrian,
glühwein, and pastries and cookies baked only at this
and multiply that by a thousand (no, a million!)
once in the crosswalk, is to make eye contact
time of year ­ children's choirs and musicians on the
during the Christmas season. Beautiful, snow-covered
with the approaching driver to ensure that
streets, combined with the festive decorations and
rolling hills, ancient castles and waterfront twinkling
he or she sees them and will slow down or
handmade ornaments. A Christmas Market cruise was
lights welcome you to every cobblestone village
stop and yield the right-of-way. When driving
my rst river cruise and it made such an impression
and Christmas market along the way. All ports of call
through busy urban areas, a driver must always
on me that I joined Viking that year.
include a complimentary excursion, mostly walking
be observant of pedestrians. At the same time,
Q. When is the best time to book a Viking river
and sightseeing tours combined with free time.
pedestrians cannot haphazardly cross when and
cruise?
Holiday shopping in the traditional and authentic
where they feel like it and must ensure it is safe
A. Now! Viking sells out all ships, all year long. If you
European markets, combined with feasting on local
before attempting to cross.
wait, you lose.
Christmas treats and specialty hot mulled wines, were
Do you have a question for Ask The Trooper?
a dream come true.
Tune in to "Let's Talk Travel with AAA" every
Send it to: AAA Central Penn, 2301 Paxton
Words can't accurately describe the beauty of
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on WHP-AM580.
Church Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or e-mail
Vienna and Salzburg, Austria (think "The Sound of
For more information, go to www.whp580.com and
skaup@aaacp.com.
Music") during the holiday season, and the ancient
click on the link to "Let's Talk Travel."
SUMMER 2014
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