DEAR ABBY: Please tell parents and teachers to warn children that when they walk on the roads to walk facing the traffic. We have come up behind many people walking with their backs to the traffic, some of whom are listening to music or talking on their cellphones and don't even know anyone is around. -- COLLETTE IN NEWBURGH, MAINE
DEAR COLLETTE: I'm pleased to print your warning. There is a name for pedestrians who do as you have described and aren't aware of their surroundings or impending danger. It's "casualty."