Since this recent cold spell I've noticed an increasing number of pedestrians choosing to walk in the road rather than on the snow covered pavement, I've seen several cars having to swerve to avoid someone unexpectedly deciding to hop into the road because they thought it was a safer route.
I wonder what is potentially more dangerous, slipping on the icy pavement or being clipped by a vehicle?
|
They're getting their own back after so many cars are parked and drive on the pavements when the drivers are too lazy to walk more than 4 steps ;)
I agree I have had to swerve on a few occasions this week.
|
|
|
I've seen several cars having to swerve to avoid someone unexpectedly deciding to hop into the road because they thought it was a safer route.
No it's not necessarily safer but it's quicker.
If I spend too long going to the shop for Mrs H, she will think I have gone to the pub and my ears will hurt when I return. Only one way to go to keep up the average walking speed; walk in the road. I usually wear my hi-vis jacket which will defend me against all known eventualities.
|
|
|
I bet you drive in the middle lane.
Is it too much to ask us drivers to keep our eyes peeled for pedestrians on the gritted roads rather than the icy pavements?
We're getting the better deal in our comfy cars than walking out in the elements.
Take it up with your council if they don't grit the pavements.
|
|
|
"I wonder what is potentially more dangerous, slipping on the icy pavement or being clipped by a vehicle?"
A trip to your local casualty unit will give you the answer. Packed full of people, particularly the elderly who have slipped on the untreated pavements. I would always use the gritted road rather than a lethally icy pavement. Is it too much to ask that drivers give pedestrians a little space and time? Pedestrians have as much right to be using the road as drivers do.
|
|
The pavements are treacherous round here. The roads are clear. And there are a lot of selfish people who park right across the pavement.
|
I think poor old Rattle might just have the answer to this one.
Hope you're doing OK, buddy-boy.
Ted
|
I think poor old Rattle might just have the answer to this one.
Think I missed something, Ted, what's happenned to him, then?
|
>> I think poor old Rattle might just have the answer to this one. Think I missed something Ted what's happenned to him then?
>>
Rattle went apex over elbow on some ice, (at least thats his story), and his elbow came off worst, as in broken bone.
|
Rattle went apex over elbow on some ice
Oh dear... at least he can't blame it on the Corsa!
Get well soon, mate! {edited - please don't use txt talk in this forum}
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 25/12/2009 at 02:09
|
|
|
|
|
A few weeks back one of the Health Authorities (Durham, IIRC) was being slammed on the radio for taking (some) responsibility for gritting the pavements. The argument against was that the money was being diverted from more important medical needs. Their argument was that the savings to the Health Authority more than justified the cost. (c £50 I think). Not so much those who heal quickly, but the elderly etc who often get complications after a fall.
|
|
I have seen lots of them on the road, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. I haven't seen any 'suddenly hop' into the road in front of me, but I would be most impressed if they did in such icy conditions. Most of them are fairy stepping carefully.
|
Set off at 5.30 this morning. As I turned onto "main" unlit road wondered if old bloke with dog I always see in village at that time going for his paper would be there. Yes, he was, but today walking in the road - black coat, black trousers, black hat - almost invisible. But I was ready for him!! Steered round him and gave him the usual wave. Pavements were sheer ice - I nearly fell over twice on my own drive!
His dog is black also!
Went to have a chat to old gal (mid 80s but usually quite active) down road from us the other day - she said she hadn't set foot outside for a week - too icy! Luckily she has decent neighbours/friends who help her out - doesn't need us to help though of course I offered - felt sorry for her that she was "imprisoned" because of lack of salting of pavements - even as a motorist I wondered why we take priority over (old? - Rattle!!) pedestrians.
|
|
My son has just been collected after 4 days in hospital following a slip on the pavement. His leg is now pinned together with a steel plate. There must be thousands of 'em.
|
>>..because of lack of salting of pavements>>
I live in a seaside resort of around 80,000 residents - there are almost 500 miles of roads so gritting or salting pavements is basically a non-starter other than town centre and shopping areas.
I've found one problem with walking on the pavement are the ruts left by vehicle tyres, which can cause your foot (or feet) to slip sideways and a subsequent fall.
The same problem can arise when stepping off a pavement onto the road, with tyre tracks creating a smooth yet very slippy surface at the edge of the kerb.
|
|
|
|
black coat black trousers black hat - almost invisible.
When walking on unlit roads at night I clip a red flashing bike light to my jacket, It looks very festive at any time of year!
I hope your lad has a quick and good recovery Waino.
Edited by Old Navy on 24/12/2009 at 18:46
|
I hope your lad has a quick and good recovery Waino.>>
Thanks, O.N. I found it slightly disconcerting that he was discharged from hospital this evening with no information as to 'what happens next'. Against the advice of the surgeon, the Ward Manager wanted to be rid of patents in time for Christmas!
Just be careful out there!
|
|
It's happened round here too. Why should pedestrians be treated as second class road users? I was walking down a hill locally on the road because the pavement was too slippery to stand up on, let alone walk. I think it's safer to walk in the road under such circumstances than to walk on the narrow, slippery pavement where, if you slip, you're likely to fall into the road anyway.
Edited by Sofa Spud on 25/12/2009 at 22:42
|
I agree re them using the road rather than the icerink of a pavement, but as others have said is it too much to ask that they wear something light or reflective? Most of the ones I've seen have been dressed in black or dark blue, especially at night...
Perhaps the Gov could rerun that advert from the 70s(?) "Wear something white"?
|
Perhaps the Gov could rerun that advert from the 70s(?) "Wear something white"?
Funny, the jingle for that was going round in my head t'other night.....
"A handbag or a coat is swell
A shopping bag will do as well"
.... together with images of a woman wearing a white headscarf (looking very similar to one of Terry Jones' harridans in Monty Python) and a man carrying a newspaper.
The oroginal would be very dated now but I would agree that Government (ie OUR) money would be far better spent on something like that than all those pseudo-Mafia threats about not taxing your car.
|
|
I guess most people don't wear high-viz clothing because normally, when they set off for the pub, they don't have the intention or the need to be walking in the road.
|
they don't have the intention or the need to be walking in the road.
Normally, I'd agree with you, but in the current conditions most will be aware even before they step out of the door that they will have to do that... But even so its good advice even if you are only walking on the pavement...
It may be dated, but I suspect that it would stick in peoples' minds simply because of that!
And then there's Reginald Molehusband and his reversing... one for Lud, perhaps?! ;-)
|
|
|
|
|
I wonder what is potentially more dangerous slipping on the icy pavement or being clipped by a vehicle?
I would think either is actually dangerous.
|
Sorry I haven't replied earlier.
I agree with what BRs have said, I just hope that the people I've seen deciding to take to the highway are aware of the potential danger, many of them are wearing headphones or have children in hand/buggies and seem oblivious to the traffic around them, I don't drive in the gutter but sometimes there just isn't enough room when they go around parked cars, I just hold back much to the annoyance of the traffic behind me.
|
|
|
|
