Pedestrian and zebra crossings ignored by drivers
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Pedestrian crossings and zebra crossings seem to have lost their meaning as far as drivers are concerned these days. I have recently been appalled by the lack of attention paid to the highway code by drivers out there. They do not seem to understand that they have to stop at a pedestrian crossing to allow the people waiting to cross when the lights are red and as far as zebra crossings are concerned, they're just stripy bits of road with people waiting at either side. Do we have to stand in the middle and wave our arms before cars will stop? |
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I took a walk to the shops this afternoon and I have to cross two pedestrian crossings to get into town. Twice it happened to me today, once on the way there, and once on my return journey; some idiot decided he couldn't be bothered stopping at the lights on red and decided just to race through the crossing, oblivious of the fact that I had already stepped into the road. Many times I have seen drivers, mainly taxi cabs as it happens but that's another gripe, thunder passed through a zebra crossing without looking to see if someone's waiting to cross. In fact last night I saw this happen and the driver swerved around the person in the road because they just couldn't be bothered to slow down or come to a stop. |
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What makes things even more dangerous are those inconsiderate people who park their cars on either side of a crossing making it very difficult for drivers to see people waiting. Has common sense just gone out the window these days? There is a major section of the driving test whereby you have to identify hazards, specifically people waiting to cross at zebra crossings! I'm well aware of this as a good friend of mine was involved in designing the hazard perception section. If people can somehow get through their driving test, why does all their training go out the window when it comes to these real life and potentially very dangerous situations? I just wish people would take more care when they drive to and from work. If drivers took their time and had a bit more consideration for pedestrians and drove safely, we might all actually get where we are going on time and in one piece! |
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Didn't stop at crossing as I was already on it when she arrived. She looked me in the eye. This was at Morrisons car park Kirkham.
Does she think she is too important?
I was already about a third of the way over so it was obvious she didn't want to wait or show courtesy. What problem has she got to show disregard to pedestrians on marked crossings?
Someone also cut me up earlier in a same model/colour so perhaps it was her. Does she think I am someone she has a grudge against? I don't think it is me as I am not from the area but a visitor.
Males Beware.
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Don't Cut Me Up - 17-Apr-11 00:01
Your dog-lead idea would have involved me running across two lanes of traffic with a six year old in tow, the ear bashing he got from white van man seemed to shake him up plenty anyway.
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A metal chain doglead brought down across the roof or bonnet of the offending vehicle will probably cause the 'divot' (first time I've heard that word used in a non-golfing context) to consider his actions in the same situation in the future.
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The flipside of that, of course, is that lots of pedestrians seem to think that a car doing 40 can come to a stop instantly and just step straight out onto zebra crossings, or as soon as the lights start to change causing drivers to perform emergency stops. And then have the cheek to to get angry at the driver.
As usual both sides would probably better placed evaluating their own behaviour rather than complaining about that of others.
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Did you read the "stop" part? There is the assumption within the Highway Code that drivers are civilised , considerate people as it was written when Britain was a better place.
Before you say that you were talking about "obligation", if you normally show consideration, then there is no need to even mention obligation.
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You do have to stop if they have already started to cross.
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The Mondeo went straight through, knocked me face first, sprawling into the gutter, and did not even stop, sadly I did not get the registration plate.
I also once before a few years ago, got knocked over while walking across a petrol station exit ramp, even at that low speed getting hit hurts. I landed face down across the ladies bonnet, and then went head first over the left side front wing into the pavement. From this incident, In the words of the famous motorsport video, And I Walked Away.
GOW, I believe the expression is, the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, the weak die first.
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the crash expert - 21-Nov-10 17:54
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grumpyoldwoman - 8-Sep-10 12:33
Also, whoever decides that a safe place to put a zebra crossing and a rounabout on top of one another needs their head examining.
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