Watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way
There's something wrong about this. A car turning off a busy main road often has to move quickly to avoid causing a hold-up in what may be rapidly moving traffic.
A lot of pedestrians are unaware, suicidal or aggressive already. It is putting them in danger to allow them to imagine that they have priority when crossing any road except at a properly marked and signalled pedestrian crossing. Even then they are well advised to look both ways before crossing and to try not to force vehicles to slow down. Driving in metropolitan traffic is complicated enough without idiot squishies waddling about all over the roads at random.
I am an absolutely brilliant pedestrian. I cross roads wherever I want, never hold up any vehicle on purpose and acknowledge courtesy from drivers. That's because I am a driver myself.
I have to say that a lot of the pedestrians I see would make absolutely lethal drivers.
|
There's something wrong about this. A car turning off a busy main road often has to move quickly to avoid causing a hold-up in what may be rapidly moving traffic.
You had better get the HC amended then Lud!
If you have slowed enough to enter a side road you have already "caused a hold up", unless you normally corner on two of your four wheels.
Edited by Old Navy on 09/10/2009 at 16:38
|
If you have slowed enough to enter a side road you have already "caused a hold up", unless you normally corner on two of your four wheels.
Sorry ON, but that's a load of tosh.
|
|
|
>> There's something wrong about this. A car turning off a busy main road often has >> to move quickly to avoid causing a hold-up in what may be rapidly moving traffic.
Your words not mine.
|
|
|
|
I am an absolutely brilliant pedestrian. I cross roads wherever I want never hold up any vehicle on purpose and acknowledge courtesy from drivers. That's because I am a driver myself.
I never push the button on Pelican crossings, I would be embarrassed at two steams of traffic having to stop while I crossed. Fair enough if you are old and immobile, but any fit reasonably person should be able to sprint across the road without causing traffic chaos.
It really annoys me when some idiot causes the lights to change when a wait of 5 seconds would give them a completely clear road. I was once in a traffic stream when a bus driver leant out and screamed abuse at two women whose brats had pushed the button on a crossing which they did not intend to use. At least half the drivers in the queue were honking in support because the shell suited chavettes had made no attempt to admonish their offspring.
|
pushed the button on a crossing which they did not intend to use.
I nearly fell out with one of my closest friends and a sort of cousin in law, when I saw him doing that and gave him a richly-deserved polemical scolding. He's a scientist and academic, but also a religious person and a moralist who is rather anti car (although he's got two which he hardly uses).
He doesn't do it in front of me any more. I'm glad because I like him a lot. Sort of chap you can talk to about anything. There aren't many of those.
|
|
|
>>At least half the drivers in the queue were honking in support because the shellsuited chavettes had made no attempt to admonish their offspring.
You and I paid for their attire I guess. Bad choice old boy.
MD
|
|
|
|
|
The glares are because they have right of way!
Just to set the record straight, ON, they have not started to cross, they are approaching the junction on the pavement but not looking like they will look before they step out... I am using the horn for its correct purpose, allerting them to the fact I am there and so they can see my intended change of direction... I have right of way in this case!
(FT, you know the thread I'm talking about, I don't intend to get into that discussion again!)
|
>> The glares are because they have right of way! >> Just to set the record straight ON
My ramblings are influenced by my recent dose of urban USA where you would get sued or shot at for even frightening a pedestrian.
Edited by Old Navy on 09/10/2009 at 23:51
|
He was right,dead right
As he strode along,
But he's just as dead
As if he'd been wrong.
|
|
|
|
Just to set the record straight ON they have not started to cross they are approaching the junction on the pavement
I am using the horn for its correct purpose allerting them to the fact I am there and so they can see my intended change of direction...
So they would have started to cross (and have the right of way) before you turn the corner, but you are using the horn to scare them off.
When you approach a roundabout with other cars already circulating, do you sound your horn to warn them that you are not going to stop and are just going to zoom on through? No, I thought not.
|
...they have not started to cross they are approaching the junction on the pavement...
How likely is it the edge of the pavement is their destination?
|
The particular junction I'm talking about it is well known that people walk across it without checking first... I will challenge Altarf to prove I am doing anything illegal, I will get to the junction before they do and am just ensuring that they do not walk straight out into my path... Incase you have forgotton the highway code instructions for pedestrians crossing a road, Altarf, it says that before crossing a road you should:
"B. Stop just before you get to the kerb, where you can see if anything is coming. "
Quoted from the HC... Note the word "STOP"... The comparison with joining a roundabout is not the same thing at all... now if you would like to tell me where I am doing anything illegal or unhelpful please let me know...
IIH, they are heading down the pavement to the centre of the town, and you can usually tell from their approach whether (1) they are likely to stop and look, and (2) if they are likely to turn up the street rather than continue down the main road (appart from the car park and some on street parking there's nothing else up there!)... TBH I'd rather play safe and make sure they know I'm there! Hope that clarifies what I think you were asking!
Edited by b308 on 10/10/2009 at 13:09
|
... Hope that clarifies what I think you were asking!...
A little bit of humour mixed with a serious point.
The Highway Code is quite clear - a pedestrian should stop before crossing, and only start to cross when the road is clear.
Once they begin crossing, they have priority.
So if a pedestrian can see your moving car, that pedestrian should not start to cross until you have passed.
|
I will get to the junction before they do and am just ensuring that they do not walk straight out into my path...
If you can run them over, then they must have started to cross first, and so have the right of way. If you have turned into the junction before they have started to cross, then all they would do is walk into the side of your car.
What you want to do is warn them not to cross before you get to the junction.
|
> What you want to do is warn them not to cross before you get tothe junction.
Which is exactly what I am doing!!! ;)
|
>>Darwin strikes again... ;-)
>>
I have a feeling someone will be doing the striking in my area :-(
Pedestrians have adopted a new method of increasing their risk.
I am now used to seeing people sitting on the pavement especially near bus stops but recently I have come across individuals sitting on the kerb with their feet and legs in the road.
Is this a Surrey thing or is it cos of global warming or is is happening in other warm counties?
Be warned. Be aware.
|
|
|
|
So when you approach a roundabout with other cars already circulating, do you sound your horn to warn them that you are not going to stop and are just going to zoom on through?
|
|
There is no comparison with a roundabout Altarf... there I have to give way, turning into a side raod I have right of way unless they have started across... why can't you just accept this and move on?!
Edited by b308 on 10/10/2009 at 20:25
|
Probably the same reason that you won't.
If you are have already turned into the side road before the pedestrian has placed a foot on the road, it is pointless to toot your horn, as it would be impossible to run them over.
The only time you could warn a pedestrian that they were in danger, would be tooting your horn before you turned the corner but they were just starting to cross. And as soon as they place a foot on the road they have the right of way.
i.e. it is impossible to run over a pedestrian at a junction unless they have started to cross, and at that point they have the right of way.
Now in reality the majority of drivers behave like you, but it doesn't make you right.
|
Can't think what you people are arguing about. Priority is neither here nor there. Any sane urban pedestrian will keep his or her eyes skinned for vehicles barrelling in their direction when they think of crossing a road. If the vehicles are barrelling with enough conviction those pedestrians will pause fearing that if they don't they may be run over. That eliminates any problem.
Problems arise with mimsing, hesitant vehicles that a certain kind of pedestrian tries to bully. When you are mistaken for one of these and some nasty ped scuffles slowly across the road to make you slow down, there's nothing you can do. Much as you might long to, you know you don't really want to run over them. So you don't.
Of course other pedestrians are polite and wait or accelerate their own pace to stay out of the way. That's what I do when I am on foot. And since the town contains as many feet as wheels, or even more, a lot of drivers try to be polite to pedestrians. I do myself.
As for those who are so out of it they just walk into you or under your wheels, I've only ever collided with one and I have saved the lives of many others. Don't suppose they are grateful though.
|
If its any consolation, Lud, neither can I, the HC is very specific about this and A seems to be ignoring it...
The only time you could warn a pedestrian that they were in danger would be tooting your horn before you turned the corner but they were just starting to cross.
No it wouldn't... please read again what I've said, they have not come to the junction but look like they might not stop, so I am allerting them to the fact that I am approaching and intend to turn and they have to stop as per the Highway Code.... now if you are saying that the HC is wrong (on two counts, first that pedestrians must stop before crossing the road and secondly that a driver may use his horn to allert others to his presence) then there is no point in continuing with the discussion!
Edited by b308 on 11/10/2009 at 10:30
|
b308,
Why not just run them over?
Then we could give you lots of conflicting advice about your court case. :)
|
:)
At least I know who's advice I can trust and who's I can't! ;)
|
|
|
|
|
|
