As in the dolts who insist in walking behind the bumper throught the narrowing gap when one is reverse parking, it is unfortunately almost impossible to see them in time, depending on their timing.
Any thoughts?
Edited by Pugugly on 04/01/2010 at 12:04
|
|
Observation and being aware of ones surroundings should solve the problem. Anyway, a ton or so of car usually beats a pedestrian.
Edited by Old Navy on 04/01/2010 at 10:07
|
|
|
I've spent the last 25 years driving a van with no rear view other than my mirrors so you have my sympathy, I've even had people push, and then leave, their empty supermarket trolley behind me as I've been reversing; made a hell of a bang, for a very low speed impact, with very little damage but nearly gave me a heart attack as I thought I'd hit a person. The only sort of solution I've found is to try and avoid reversing at all, driving into a bay and through into the second row of bays so that I can drive out, but many car parks now have a walk way between the rows with bollards....
Only compensation I can think of is that anyone who can't see something that size coming probably deserves to be removed from the gene pool, they certainly wouldn't see the lion in the jungle. :-)
|
Happens all the time.
I assume it's going to happen..
|
That's why I avoid shopping at Morrisons. Suicidal pedestrians and demented drivers from 360°.
Sainsbury is so much easier with plenty of space for drivers and pedestrians to mingle . New Chesterfield Tesco is out of the question for shopping , so far, as the car park has simply been full. It will be fun when the new football ground opens next to it.
|
Sniff,
Old Navy
(i) I have not as yet connected with any of these "Darwin award" seekers.
(ii) in a busy street with many pedestrians on the footway, it is difficult to predict which of them or indeed when they are going to make that split second decision and dart through the gap, plus the wifes van has very poor visibility to the rear, compared to a car.
Ps
The wife "does not do reversing"
cheers
M
|
Wrong as it seems (is?!) in this case, the pedestrians do have right of way, according to the highway code guidelines. That means we're at fault if we help them get their darwin award they so badly covet.
We just need to keep our eyes peeled for the wannabe's. Sucks, but that being said i wouldnt want to be involved in the aftermath of a pedestrian being crushed while i parallel park. So i'll just stick to assuming the worst of everyone around until proven otherwise :-(
|
|
Amazing how many ace drivers become dumb pedestrians once they've left the car as well.
|
Amazing how many ace drivers become dumb pedestrians once they've left the car as well.
>>
Or dumb and dangerous cyclists.
Edited by Old Navy on 04/01/2010 at 17:04
|
|
Sorry Humph, I am sure you even stop for red lights. :-)
|
|
|
|
ace drivers become dumb pedestrians
If they are dumb pedestrians, PU, I would suggest that they may not really be ace drivers... of course a lot of people think they are, but real aces are as rare as hen's teeth.
|
|
I was being a little sarcastic !
|
Sorry PU... I had been on the point of saying that being a driver I was an ace pedestrian, then remembered all the times I've nearly got myself run over and all the times I've had or nearly had silly accidents.
Ace drivers are rare, but pretty decent ones can be seen every day. It's always a relief to be driven by one too...
|
|
I included myself as a dumb pedestrian.....mind you in Summer 08 in Boston with my late wife and hesitating at the kerbside we were berated by an elderly female - "Come on now, cross the road like Bostonians" which I assume that we were viewed as mimsers....applying the Bostonian way in the UK can be downright dangerous.
Edited by Pugugly on 04/01/2010 at 17:27
|
I've never had a problem with this - not that I don't 'interact' with people walking when I've parked throughout the years, but I keep a keen look-out & wait, them move - and wait again if necessary. It's called taking your time & being careful.
People do have a right to cross the road/ traverse car-parks etc. & they can't always predict where/when a car might move or whether it's going to go forwards or backwards etc. I think the principle is called 'sail before steam'.
Another thing anxious drivers might look out for is pedestrians stepping off kerbs - 'unexpectedly' - yes it happens, esp. with kids & distracted looking people etc.
Perhaps we could all drive our vehicles with that in mind & not expect free & unimpeded access all the time - the roads aren't just for vehicles you know!
Edited by woodbines on 04/01/2010 at 17:39
|
Hi
TBH, i've read the OP and skimmed through the rest.
The point i am making is that people that are good drivers as well as good pedestrians are aware of what drivers can or can not see.
Another problem with perstrians that have never or rarely driven a car and of possible low IQ status is that as they are walking along a pavement and approaching a zebra crossing, they just take a 45' turn and step into the road just off the zebra crossing forcing the driver to brake hard. i've seen accidents caused by incidents like this
|
If I had a penny for every time that happened to me... And they always choose to cross the road precisely behind MY car, not the stationary ones a one second walk away, grrr....... Reversing lights on, even a pip of the horn "just in case" and it's still "Give way to lemmings", and the pathetic way the cretins always break into such a gentle little trot as they cross as if to minimise the effect of their monumental stupidity ("Yes, I know you're parking, but I'm just POPPING ACROSS THE ROAD right now and can't possibly WAIT FIVE SECONDS, if that's OK...")
I've often thought it would be handy to be able to flick a switch and direct the horn (and main beam) backwards, but perhaps a Batmobile exhaust or some Star Trek kind of force field is the only answer. Or else one of these at the back... tinyurl.com/3d6k5b
|
|
Two 6 inch reversing lights and a 100db reversing horn seem to mean "pedestrians cross behind me now".
|
|
Amazing how many ace drivers become dumb pedestrians once they've left the car as well.
You are assuming that they were ace drivers - most drive the same way they walk.
|
|
|
|
|
Ps The wife "does not do reversing" cheers M
Just interested... How does she get out of spaces if she's on her own then?
|
|
|
|
|
I find that the problem is compounded by people with a "my right of way mentality". About a month ago I was reversing into a parking space when a guy suddenly stepped off the kerb and starting sauntering behind me, about as slow as he could without stopping. Also, a couple of days ago I was backing out of a space at the supermarket, between two SUVs when a couple leisurely walked behind me.
Now, if I was being charitable, I would say that they just anticipated that I would stop and all had some kind of hip problem. If was being slightly less charitable I would say that they were just doing it because they had right of way and they were going to exercise it at their leisure.
Now, that's all fine and dandy. In both situations I was reversing very slowly and doing a lot of observation, but it really surprises me that a lot of people take it for granted that you will see them in time.
I feel I have always been very cautious as a pedestrian, and am now doubly after driving for a couple of months and seeing how easy it is to get distracted even when you are really trying to focus.
Being in the right is frequently not the most important thing, especially when your "opponent" it a ton and a half of metal!
|
|
|
|
I've not found it to be a problem. I use my rear view mirrors, then turn my body and my head to look backwards, and finally I have reversing sensors. One way or another I'm aware that they're there, and give way accordingly. It's only braindead drivers that have this problem.
Edited by L'escargot on 05/01/2010 at 07:50
|
It's only braindead drivers that have this problem.
Well maybe, but perhaps you need to be a braindead pedestrian to assume that the car you are walking behind isn't being driven by a braindead driver.
|
This particular braindead driver has not however been involved in an "at fault" accident in 32 years driving (oops, he remembers..... except for an Army landrover in Germany, with a BMW needless to say)
It is the simple lack of observation, anticipition & courtsey, on the part of the pedestrians as referred to in my origional post, that gall.
These attributes unfortunately also apply to a significent number of drivers.
cheers
|
It is the simple lack of observation anticipition & courtsey on the part of the pedestrians as referred to in my origional post that gall. These attributes unfortunately also apply to a significent number of drivers.
If you yourself had sufficient observation, anticipation and courtesy, then perhaps careless pedestrians might not be a problem.
|
See Snaily, I do, exhibit those attributes you specify.
What I was attempting to explain was after observing as best possible, and when closing the few inches of gap left, ie absolutly crawling, and focussed on the other cars bumper, a thicko INSISTS in squeezing through the gap.
cheers
|
.......... when closing the few inches of gap left ie absolutly crawling and focussed on the other cars bumper a thicko INSISTS in squeezing through the gap.
I never park only a few inches from another car. I always allow enough room for me to be able to open the boot if necessary.
Edited by L'escargot on 05/01/2010 at 10:53
|
Snaily, this
Before moving forward to straighten the car up and centre it in the gap.
Anyway I sit on the other cars bonnet to open the boot if needbe.
cheers
(as always)
M
|
Anyway I sit on the other cars bonnet to open the boot if needbe.
Hooligan!
;-)
|
|
|
|
