Should pedestrians really have the right of way or pause and wait for their safe

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   jansharesposted 11 years ago

   Should pedestrians really have the right of way or pause and wait for their safety?
   
   Pedestrians are not always cautious when crossing the street. They cross when they shouldn't, expecting 2 to 4 ton vehicles to yield, even when the driver is operating lawfully. The law says pedestrians should always have the right of way, even when they're wrong. So many pedestrians are hit and killed in accidents every year because they weren't paying attention or the driver was wreckless, ill, unattentive, or under the influence. Due to so many variables being present when a pedestrian crosses the street, safety should be the pedestrian's first priority.
   
   

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   I absolutely, totally agree with you. There are just times where you cannot assume that a driver is following the law or even realizes that is the law.

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      jansharesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks, thought it was just me.

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are very welcome janshares.

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   I really hate pedestrians. At the college, I wait patiently on the side walk waiting for a break to appear in the on coming traffic. Other students just walk right across without considering the idea of being hit by a car, thrown into the air, skid their skin on the rough ground, and bleed. Do they even care for their own safety or are they just insane?! Car vs. human. Who do you think will win?

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      jansharesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Amen! lburmaster. I always say, "2-ton car or 140lb me?" It's a no-brainer!

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   MickSposted 11 years ago

   Yes, pedestrians should have the right of way, it's a bit like boats, steam gives way to sail.  Once pedestrians are correctly on the road, thery are vulnerable, other road users should be alert to their prescence, if they are not alert when driving, why are they doing so?  To often, we can see drivers accelerating when they see a pedestrian waiting to cross the road, or, 'buzz' pedestrians on the road, and worst of all, not being fully in control of the car because they are wittering away to someone on their mobile phones, or turning their head and talking to a passenger instead of being aware of what is going on in the road.  The right of way doesn't allow pedestrians to recklessly step into the road

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      jansharesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Mick, you're right, point well taken. I know there are mean and thoughtless drivers out there. But at the end of the day, I'd rather be in control of my own safety and not expect the driver to do right by me. I will lose.

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      MickSposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes you will lose because of the thoughtless drivers, by giving the pedestrians the right of way, we are forcing a legal precedent. And yes, pedestrians have also to be resonsible, and only venture on to the road when they consider it safe to do so.

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   Veroniquebeeposted 11 years ago

   Personally I think that I can have all laws I want - but when it comes to equation me versus car, I think the car would always win. So, I'd rather wait for a moment to have one car slow and let me cross the street, than just jump into the road.

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      jansharesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My point exactly.

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   Garifaliaposted 11 years ago

   Logical human beings with the self-preservation instinct will definitely learn to heed traffic. Teaching youngsters in school proper road safety as pedestrians and cyclists will help a great deal. However, the drivers behind a machine that is both heavier and more powerful than pedestrians have the OBLIGATION to be weary of people making the decision to cross the street at the wrong time.

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      jansharesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good answer, Garifalia. I think you've struck the perfect balance in giving shared responsibility to both pedestrian and driver. I like your focus on obligation holding slightly more weight for the driver. Too shay!

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