Conundrum: Pedestrians on a narrow country road with no footpaths - who gives way?

Doc_N

bigadaj wrote: »

That was just father jack taking his pet out for a walk.

He was a bit like Father Jack - but more wily.

Car_54

vikingaero wrote: »

Obstruction is on your side, following the Highway Code, so you defer to oncoming traffic. Simple. End of.

What does the HC actually say?

Doc_N

Car_54 wrote: »

What does the HC actually say?

Highway Code Rule 206

Drive carefully and slowly when approaching pedestrians on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath. Always slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, giving them plenty of room as you drive past.

Car_54

Doc_N wrote: »

Highway Code Rule 206

Drive carefully and slowly when approaching pedestrians on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath. Always slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, giving them plenty of room as you drive past.

But I was asking about "Obstruction is on your side, following the Highway Code, so you defer to oncoming traffic. Simple. End of."

Maybe it's not simple.

Richard53

Doc_N wrote: »

Not so long ago I knew a man round here who used to carry a brick in a carrier bag, reserved for similar use!

I was walking back from our village store a while ago carrying a heavy pair of boltcroppers that I had just purchased. I was the subject of a very close pass by a speeding van. One small twist of the wrist on my part would have caused the croppers to contact his paint at 40 mph+. I resisted, but it was a close thing.

Mercdriver

When walking in the lake district i've always got a day-glo yellow waterproof coat with reflectives all down the arms for when I have no choice but to walk along a section of road in the dark. I also have a torch in my hand - a decent LED lenser one that is used by many of the police forces. Number of drivers that don't dip their headlights leaving you temporarily blinded with a risk of walking into the road and getting hurt. Quite apart from that, it's inconsiderate. If I was wearing all black that would be one thing, but they lit me up like a belisha beacon. I always thank those that do dip their headlights.

Richard53

I walk the lanes round me, often after dark. At night I will wear a cheap yellow tabard (Tesco, £4 I think) with reflective bands on it. It's quite satisfying when you hear a car slowing down perhaps quarter of a mile away because the headlights have picked up the tabard. A good torch to waggle up and down, or even shine on yourself, is essential too. I also have an LED Lenser, the P7, and with new batteries it will set fire to a hedgerow from 200m away*. Seriously, it's an amazing bit of kit and I never go far without it.


*I may be lying here.

AdrianC

Richard53 wrote: »

I was walking back from our village store a while ago carrying a heavy pair of boltcroppers that I had just purchased. I was the subject of a very close pass by a speeding van. One small twist of the wrist on my part would have caused the croppers to contact his paint at 40 mph+. I resisted, but it was a close thing.

Probably wise, if for no other reason than you'd stand a VERY good chance of breaking your wrists when the croppers snagged on something.

And that's assuming they didn't stop, get out, and insert the croppers where they'd be most useful for keyhole surgery.

Richard53

AdrianC wrote: »

Probably wise, if for no other reason than you'd stand a VERY good chance of breaking your wrists when the croppers snagged on something.

And that's assuming they didn't stop, get out, and insert the croppers where they'd be most useful for keyhole surgery.

Agreed to both. The point I was making was that the van passed within 3-4 inches of my hand. On a narrow road with NSL, that is *very* close. He might not have been so careless if he had realised what I was carrying.

Doc_N

I find on narrow roads like that, that carrying an umbrella makes a difference - but only if it's one with a metal end, and only if the metal end is facing the oncoming vehicles.

I know that sounds ridiculous, but for some reason the sight of a pedestrian (soft and squishy) doesn't cause some drivers to allow a reasonable passing distance, but a metal spike (even on an umbrella held perfectly normally to the side) ensures that pretty much every driver will keep well clear.