Pedestrian and zebra crossings ignored by drivers

Carry a stick or a metal chain (doglead type) and slam it down hard on the roof or boot of any offending car. Even a good kick can be effective.

Today I was nearly run over by an idiot I was crossing a Zebra crossing there was no traffic then some boy racer comes flying round the corner and beeps his horn at me while im half was across in .. this aint the 1st time this has happened so do drivers know what the law is while a pedestrian is crossing one of these?

I agree that many drivers have forgotten what the purpose of a zebra crossing is but I have also noticed in my city (Salisbury) pedestrians are equally perplexed by these strange thick black and white lines that span our highways. Some choose to cross just metres away from these "safe crossing places" and instead opt to stand at the side of the road waiting for a break in the traffic, many of these people are in charge of minors or even pushing their babies out in front of them first. How are children meant to learn and practice good crossing technique when this is undermined by thick parents. Please note I am not anti pedestrian and also have many gripes with cyclist on the pavement, maybe the start of another topic.

"Besides, if a pedestrian is hit, it is always driver’s fault by law."
US driver in UK

Fortunately, under English law that is incorrect, liability is always decided upon the basis of evidence.

After moving from the US, I’ve found this to be shocking to find that in a supposedly civilized country like UK, drivers just don’t care much about following rules designed to keep pedestrians safe. While I have to spend hours preparing for the driving test to change to UK license required by law, I can also see half of other ‘licensed’ drivers don’t bother do even slow down when pedestrians starting to walk across zebra. In US, any driving policeman witnessing that would immediately give a ticket resulting in $100 plus 100-s more in the increase of your insurance premium. Besides, if a pedestrian is hit, it is always driver’s fault by law. I was told today by a driving instructor not to stop on the test when someone is crossing a street illegally or risk failing. While parking tickets are enforced by cameras, no one cares about pedestrian safety in UK. After all, the free medicare will cover all the damage done, right?

LOLLIPOP men and ladies in London are to have spy cameras fitted in their sticks in a move which will reignite the debate about the spread of a "surveillance society".

The £900 sticks, which are being introduced in Hillingdon, are to help the school crossing wardens identify motorists who endanger children by failing to halt or driving aggressively.

Pedestrians have right of way when they set foot on the zebra. This does not include pedestrian controlled vehicles ie: bikes being wheeled.

It isn't just the drivers fault. Pedestrians need to understand that stepping into the path of a car on a set of lights doesn't garantee they're safe. I've driven toward pelican crossings on green and as I'm almost ontop of the crossing, the light turns amber and pedestians step out thinking amber means they're safe. My car was kicked by a waste of space with steel toe cap boots a few months back that stepped out micro seconds after the lights turned amber, just as I was microseconds from going through. I made an emergency stop, had my car booted by this scumbag who also spat on my screen and yelled that it was his right of way....NOT WHEN THE FU***NG LIGHT IS AMBER IT'S NOT!.

Just goes to prove most of these 'tards that drive for a living don't even know the laws of the highways
Driver, you're an irresponsible, possibly dangerous idiot - get a job where your IQ doesn't limit your ability to consider the safety of others

Driver: I always press the bloody button, you flaming lot just ignore the lights and drive through though don't you? Too busy in your own little worlds to care about the rest of us.

At Zebra crossings, you WAIT at the kerb, don't think you have the RIGHT OF WAY, you don't.

At Pelican crossings, press the BLOODY BUTTON

*Driver 25-Jan-2009 01:06



Driver, I have to disagree with you here. I have checked this with the Police. Pedestrian do have the right of way on a zebra crossing - as soon as they put a foot on it.

This happened to me and my 5 year old today and driver : we did WAIT and when the car stopped we started to cross, a car flew around the roundabout on the opposite side of the road, in a 20mph zone, near a school, and was going too fast to stop, it raced accross the zebra in front of us and if we had been a few feet further forward would of mowed us down. So, it's not always the pedestrians fault, tell me who had RIGHT OF WAY that time?

Flaming well happened again today just as I was going into town. The traffic lights are on red having just changed and along comes a big red van, the driver obviously can't be bothered to slow down so he speeds up and goes straight through the lights - just as I'm about to step on to the road. Good thing I'm aware they do it. Nearly caught his number plate, not quite though.

Let's do it - let's NAME AND SHAME!

If this happens to you try to catch the number plate, make and location and post it up here!