Drivers and Zebra crossings

pippitypip_2

I can't be the only pedestrian in the country who is being driven nuts by drivers not stopping on zebra crossings?!!

I nearly got run over (tyre of car over end of my shoe!) :eek: the other morning and twice last night people sailed on past me! Although sailing on past me is def preferred to actually trying to drive over me when I'm mid crossing!

I'm a driver too, and I stop at Zebra crossings…

Anyhoo I know this is a general rant rather than specifically at a company, but it's also a plea to drivers to look out when it's raining/ dark - some of us would like to cross the road without risking our lives (hence using a zebra crossing)!!!!!

And breathe.. :cool:

pippitypip

olly300

What colour coat, jacket or top are you wearing?

The only reason I'm asking is a few years ago I had to cross a zebra crossing from work to get to my car parked on the road near by and drivers wouldn't stop. Then one day suddenly all drivers would stopped.

I then worked out that when drivers didn't stop I was wearing a dark blue or black top and when they did start stopping I was wearing a green and white coat. And while it should make a difference if it was morning or evening it didn't because the sun was just rising in winter.

The point I'm making is that if drivers cannot easily see you then they will not stop.

I have not stopped a zebra crosses because I cannot see people until I'm right on the crossing and many men for some strange reason think that wearing dark colours from head to toe is a good ideal. And yes I nearly ran over a male pedestrian because he was wearing black from head to toe including a black hat, gloves and scarf.

So either get a brightly coloured e.g. bright red, scarf, gloves and head and wear them or wear a light coloured top, coat or jacket. This is the same reason why all cyclists, motorcylists, runners and children are advised to wear reflective gear on their top half.

maninthestreet

olly300 wrote: »

What colour coat, jacket or top are you wearing?

The only reason I'm asking is a few years ago I had to cross a zebra crossing from work to get to my car parked on the road near by and drivers wouldn't stop. Then one day suddenly all drivers would stopped.

I then worked out that when drivers didn't stop I was wearing a dark blue or black top and when they did start stopping I was wearing a green and white coat. And while it should make a difference if it was morning or evening it didn't because the sun was just rising in winter.

The point I'm making is that if drivers cannot easily see you then they will not stop.

I have not stopped a zebra crosses because I cannot see people until I'm right on the crossing and many men for some strange reason think that wearing dark colours from head to toe is a good ideal. And yes I nearly ran over a male pedestrian because he was wearing black from head to toe including a black hat, gloves and scarf.

So either get a brightly coloured e.g. bright red, scarf, gloves and head and wear them or wear a light coloured top, coat or jacket. This is the same reason why all cyclists, motorcylists, runners and children are advised to wear reflective gear on their top half.

Round my way, zebra crossings are illuminated. It is an offence for a driver to fail to stop at a zebra crossing if a pedestrian is on the crossing.

pippitypip_2

Thanks, I see your point, which is why I always wear a bright coloured scarf as my coat is a dark colour, and always wait to cross until the cars have stopped (although not so useful the other morning as I thought the car HAD stopped, obviously he then decided he could nip around me and was in too much of a hurry).

I do think, however, there is a duty of care on drivers, at zebra crossings, to slow down and look out for people crossing or trying to cross. As I said - I'm a driver too - I do this as I'm pretty sure it's illegal not to stop.

pippitypip

pippitypip_2

maninthestreet wrote: »

Round my way, zebra crossings are illuminated. It is an offence for a driver to fail to stop at a zebra crossing if a pedestrian is on the crossing.

Yup - mine are illuminated too.

I just think there are a load of idiots on the road and it's pretty scary being a pedestrian (and a driver too! when you think about it).

pippitypip

biscit

olly300 wrote: »

The point I'm making is that if drivers cannot easily see you then they will not stop.

This is a valid point, however it needs to be observed that some drivers need things to be easier to spot than others.

mr_fishbulb

olly300 wrote: »

What colour coat, jacket or top are you wearing?

Black and white stripy one. Can't believe the guy didn't see me on the crossing :mad:

pippitypip_2

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Black and white stripy one. Can't believe the guy didn't see me on the crossing :mad:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

olly300

maninthestreet wrote: »

Round my way, zebra crossings are illuminated.

Unfortunately quite a few zebra crossings are located in stupid places i.e. on a curve on the road and/or have overgrown trees and bushes covering the Belisha beacons.

In addition due to residents complaints it's now common for one or both round Belisha beacons to have a black metal band round them and no other lights illuminating the crossing.

The crossing where people didn't stop until I was wearing white and green had the black bands plus over grown trees and bushes, no other lights illuminating the crossing and old street lights.

maninthestreet wrote: »

It is an offence for a driver to fail to stop at a zebra crossing if a pedestrian is on the crossing.

Yep but it doesn't explain why quite a few London councils are removing zebra crossings because drivers aren't stopping and replacing them with pelican crossings.

ChrisCobra

Theres a lot of them over this end of the water and they positively have to stop for you , and slow down when they approach them..

If they dont the cops will quick enough fine them and take their licence or car away if its really bad.

olly300

ChrisCobra wrote: »

Theres a lot of them over this end of the water and they positively have to stop for you , and slow down when they approach them..

If they dont the cops will quick enough fine them and take their licence or car away if its really bad.

Must have different rules then.

In the UK you have to be prepared to stop if someone is waiting to cross. You don't have to stop unless they are already in the road.