D Pettifer, Mullumbimby
Alfred is a man who walks the roads from Mullumbimby to Brunswick Heads.
It appears he believes his role is to keep the roads clean. He walks in dark clothing, often wearing a black garbage bag as a raincoat.
There is a community Facebook page that shows concern for his welfare, encouraging us to be aware.
A large yellow sign with his image warns drivers to look out for him as they leave or enter Mullum.
The supportive Facebook group suggest we flash our lights.
Others have offered him a high-vis jacket though these offers have been refused.
Unfortunately, Alfred is unaware of the mayhem he causes on the road, although it is reported that he was seen removing the warning sign.
There are many anecdotes of near misses, vehicles in near collisions with others in an effort to avoid him.
One rainy night on Gulgan Road I rounded a bend with oncoming car lights making visibility poor and noticed a dark figure getting up from the middle of my lane.
Luckily I was able to pull up in time.
However at the same time I was tossing up whether to either hit him, veer into oncoming traffic or drive over the verge.
There are other similar reports by drivers with young children in the car.
I’m sorry but no amount of ‘community’ is going to heal the person who eventually hits him or whose children or parent are injured or killed trying to avoid him.
The police are aware of the issue and suggest a person rings them when he’s on the road. I have no knowledge if any action has been taken in this respect.
I can’t help thinking about the possible scenarios and whether Alfred has similar concerns for whoever it is that eventually hits him or is injured or killed avoiding him.
He must be taken off the roads before the inevitable happens.
