Zebra Crossing - near-miss

ilesmark

WOW - didn't realise my innocent post would spark such an emotive flurry of responses. Clearly something that has touched a nerve.

All - thanks for input

In particular -

wba31 wrote: »

here is the highway code page for pedestrians

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070108

it says that if a pedestrian is already crossing at a junction, the car coming round the corner must give way.

also says at a zebra crossing the pedestrian must make sure that cars have stopped...

however this page says that you MUST give way, as a driver if someone is on the crossing... http://www.findleys.co.uk/highway_code/pedestrian_crossings.html

Very useful. I looked at rule 171 on the driver's obligations, which DOES say 'be aware of pedestrians approaching from the side of the crossing' - but i WAS aware and drew the conclusion from her trajectory and demeanour that she WASN'T approaching. What are you supposed to do - stop every time you see someone in the vicinity of a zebra crossing on the off-chance?!

I'm with rule 19 of the the highway code page for pedestrians - 'Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross'

And

Lucy_Lastic wrote: »

Was she oblivious to your emergency stop by the way?

- she was until I wound down the window and shouted "ever thought of looking before you step into the road?" Got the usual mouthful of abuse.

Sounds like it would have been a 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other. I've got a friend who's a sgt in the West Mids police - I'll ask him.

vaio

s_b wrote: »

......oh and by the way i usually have a dash camera on the go smarty pants:)

Don’t suppose you have any videos you could post? On youtube maybe?

ilesmark

vaio wrote: »

Don’t suppose you have any videos you could post? On youtube maybe?

We're getting a bit OT now, but here's a dash-cam one that made me laugh.....but not the police - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuIBj0R2ui4

The commentary especially.

Lum

mikey72 wrote: »

That's because the traffic hasn't stopped, which it should do when the pushchair is on the crossing.
What's the other way, the mother walks out, then walks back to the pavement for the pushchair I suppose.

If you want to stand on the curb, which is a good idea as it indicates your intention to cross, just keep the pushchair parallel with the curb, i.e. out to you side.

When it is safe to cross then you can turn it 90 degrees.

The type I am complaining about tend to be just walking down the pavement perfectly normally and will then suddenly swing it around and push it into traffic without so much as a glance to their side, let alone behind them, to see if they are about to push it in front of, or into the side of, a passing car. Remember that this often happens away from crossings and/or the pushchair was previously completely obscured by a fence.

Generally speaking, where I am at least, if it's clear that a pedestrian wishes to cross someone will stop for them soon enough regardless of whether it's a marked crossing or not. Sure there will always be a few douchebags who don't but it's unusual to be waiting too long, unless you're trying to cross a 70mph 3 lane A road or something.

mikey72

s_b wrote: »

so to understand this right
you walk onto a pedestrian crossing as you have your head down,me as a driver has to do an emergancy stop because you gave me no warning and to try and minimise carnage also blow the horn as the highway code suggests,you meanwhile as the person walking in front of me probably already talking on the phone anyway want to sue me for your negligence
well i look forward to seeing you in court,oh and by the way i usually have a dash camera on the go smarty pants:)

Good man.
If you hit me on a crossing can I have a copy?

(I think you're getting a bit mixed up now though, pedestrians can walk, and use the phone, it's car drivers who can't use the phone when they're driving. - Probably why zebra crossings are a surprise to you)

marksandsparx

the answer is simple.. pedestrians are STUPID!

Pedestrians don't have to pass a test to walk, so therefore the driver is more responsible, as s/he has a higher level of experience, and also has more intelligence to pass a test.

It also works with bus drivers, and hgv drivers over car drivers.

Flyboy152

mikey72 wrote: »

Ring the police on the non emergency number.
When they need to top up their crime figures, they'll nip out and ticket them.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Bennifred

..........Then there's the delightful young man (pedestrian) who decided to ignore the pelican crossing about ten yards away, and also the lone car driving on the opposite side of the road he decided to cross because after all , he shouldn't have to pause at all, or divert even slightly to cross the road safely. Nope, he carried on regardless. So outraged was he when the car continued on its way without stopping for him that he launched a high kick at the side of the car, shouting profanities.........lovely chap!

Trebor16

mikey72 wrote: »

Yes.
You're usually to blame if you bit a pedestrian anywhere, but on a zebra you've no chance.

Sorry, but to say that the driver is to blame if they hit a pedestrian is nonsense.

mikey72

Trebor16 wrote: »

Sorry, but to say that the driver is to blame if they hit a pedestrian is nonsense.

Fair enough then.