To cross or not to cross?

Hmm71

I tend to wait for the green man if there are some kids crossing at the same time as I am. Sometimes I will go when it's on red if I'm really in a hurry but I always feel a bit guilty when I do. I always think of the poor parent trying to explain to the kids why they have to wait when I didn't.

Fuzzy_Duck

I'd have waited, but then I generally wait anyway. I live in an area where people run in the road and then jump back shocked when they realise traffic isn't going to stop for them. I do occasionally cross when there isn't anything coming, but if I'm near a corner where some maniac might come zooming down the road any moment I tend to wait however long it takes.

Regarding the kids someone is going to cross regardless in front of them eventually, and their mother will just have to tackle that as she sees fit.

Torry_Quine

I would have waited for the green man but I usually do anyway.

Gavin83

I'll cross when it's safe to do so regardless of the state of the lights. Probably a better lesson for children anyway.

It really isn't my responsibility to raise someone elses children. It's up to the parents how they wish to treat my crossing.

GreenQueen

My daughter (aged 6) will say in a VERY loud voice "that man/lady was really naughty, weren't they mummy?". Cue red faces from me and the person crossing the road. She has a very strong sense of right and wrong!

GQ

vyle

Mindless_Clone wrote: »

There's on pelican crossing near me that has the new lights where there's no green man opposite, so you have to look to your side to see it. I hate these lights. They confuse most adults, let alone little children learning road safety.

I know this is slightly off topic, but I hate these new ones so much. I think they're called Puffin crossings or something. There is one by me one a four way junction where the button and light is set a good three feet back from the curb on the right, which means that to be in a position to cross, I cannot see the light at all.

If it's busy, people stand in front of it, and from the angle of the lights, you can't see if they're red or not to judge whether it's safe to cross, especially because traffic could be coming from four different directions, one being behind you.

And let's say, I am going to stand and watch for the green man, it means that I can't watch the road. It's completely ludicrous.

I don't know what the point of changing them was. With the old green man, you'd look across the street, see if it was safe, and your head would be in a position to scan the road while crossing and ensuring everything was safe. Now, there have been times where I've crossed because the green man was visible, but he extinguished just as I passed, and the lights turned green while I was still making my way across.

sparklyshoe

Great example OP, thanks

somethingcorporate

It's not illegal to cross when the light isn't green so not really sure why anyone would feel that crossing the road when it is clear and safe (but not green) is an issue.

madmayo

OH you definitely did the right thing . something i always do as i have spent many years with my own kids waiting patiently. I still do it now without my kids being by my side. I have obviously drummed it into myself tip wait for the green man.

but my VENT is at the other crossings,
near to where I live, there is a puffin, pelican , zebra crossing ( not sure which one it is,......its got persistant flashing orange globes either side of it ) which was installed a couple of years ago to help kids get to the park!
As a good parent always took my daughter to the crossing.. What for?? to be nearly run over on many occasions. Cars DO NOT STOP!!.. I am not a driver but to my knowledge they are supposed to stop arent they??

what beggared beleif one day. with my daughter I went to the crossing ( I always tell her to make sure the cars stop because I know what drivers are like on the road. However. The car coming down the road started to slow down and nearly to a halt so we started to cross and out the bue a car over takes hin and misses me andmy daughter by inches and he still proceeded to carry on down the road!!
i can tell you I cam out with a few expletives!!

The moral is not to trust any crossing!! still use the old fashioned green cross code!!
And I apologise for any spelling mistakes as im typing in the dark and cant see the keyboard!!!

jc808

well done i do the same