My street has ZERO sidewalks so middle of street is what you HAVE to do to walk to the bus stop.
Why the middle of the street? We live on a quiet little street with very little traffic and no side walks and we walk on the grass off the side of the street. Or if we're on wheeled transportation (scooters, bikes), we're riding at the side (e.g. shoulder) of the street. Of course, when there's snow piled up (e.g. after a blizzard), then walking would not be advisable, but the rest of the time ...
If it's three doors down, as long as there are sidewalks, no streets to cross... I'm not sure how you'd get hit.
Or often without sidewalks too.
I don't get it at all. The walk from our school's parking lot to the front door (outside of which I must wait for my kids in whatever the weather may be) is as far as 3 doors down and then I still have to get the kids in the car (and I've gotten soaked many times). I don't enjoy it, but sometimes you just have to toughen up and get through it.