Pedestrian crossings - too weak to care
I neary got flattened this morning, and this was on a new flashing-road-panel-illuminated pedestrian crossing - surely the safest place of all to choose to cross the road?
I distinctly heard: "Speed-up, you lazy old fart," over the boom-zizz of the Nissan turbo Silvia's stereo and its sneezing wastegate. I only wish I could have quickly shouted an apology for being in his way.
In recent months I have been able first hand to observe the raw deal that pedestrians - particularly older ones - get from motorists, motorcyclists, bus and truck drivers and cyclists.
Diagnosed with a complaint that has caused me to lose a severe amount of muscle mass and general strength, I'm now one of the slower pedestrians out there. I no longer jaywalk between crossings, as I no longer have the accelerative power to sprint into any traffic spaces that come up.
I'm getting to remember the timing of traffic light crossings in Christchurch, and I know the ones I have difficulty crossing in the time available. I don't have a zimmer frame to advertise my relative lethargy, though I do walk slightly hunched, and with a limp, while my friends are not slow to mention the visual effects of losing almost 35kg.
So now, crossing the road safely has become quite a problem for me. This is because road users - like those above - tend to assume that you have a certain pace, and when you patently haven't, then traffic will move on regardless, often brushing you aside - no kidding - and certainly not adhering to the rule of waiting until the crossing is clear all the way across.
Cyclists aren't a problem. Almost without exception they do not regard a pedestrian crossing as anything other than a normal piece of roadway. In other words, I know what to expect, so I don't cross when a pedaller is approaching, especially those with their helmets on the handlebar and white iPod buds in their ears.
In the weeks since my diagnosis, I have had quite a time of it. I've been spun around by urgent phone-toting motorists, softly clipped once by a Land Cruiser driver, who at least had the courage and manners to go around the block and apologise to me - he was devastated. "I thought you were a bit quicker than that," was his explanation/excuse.
The only time I felt my life was in danger, however, was when a car whose driver appeared to have made eye contact with me, mid-crossing, just carried on straight through without stopping, causing a mother and perambulator to topple, albeit unhurt, to the floor. The mum also thought he'd focused on her and assumed it would be okay to carry on with her crossing manoeuvre. It wasn't, of course.
I don't think such a battle is a new sport, it's just that my weakened body is now existing in the same dimension of speed and respect that slower-moving pedestrians have always been part of. I still cross roads regularly, and the doctor tells me that my pace should improve as my test results improve and my body bulk re-establishes itself.
I hope it happens soon, before I become a statistic, and also before some nice young person embarrasses me by offering to help me across the road.
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I no longer cross any pedestrian crossing without double checking first, even if I have the lights in my favour. I just dont trust the drivers, and it only takes one idiot or distracted driver.
I agree with Lateagain #1: I dont mind waiting for slower people to make their way across. But people who dash out without looking for traffic, or people who start crossing on the road then make their way onto a crossing as they go are a worry! Make eye contact with the car driver, if they make eyecontact you know they are paying attention to the road and will stop for you (apart from the crazy man Dave mentioned in the blog)
A particularly bad pedestrian crossing is the one on Edgeware Road. My partner nearly got taken out by a girl in a black hatchback who not only kept going, but also sped up & gave him the finger! he was close enough to smack his hand on the windscreen - he should of kicked a panel in instead.
just l;ike giving a cyclist room when you pass, I'll try and stop where I can safely - however I really appreciate it when the pedestrian actually thanks you for stopping, either with a wave or a smile or somehting. It certainly makes my effort a whole lot more worthwhile.
@david: I remember once I was on a pedestrian crossing with a shopping bag in each hand. I normally wave to the cars that stop for me, but that time all I could manage to lift was a single finger.
It wasn't _quite_ a rude gesture, so I do hope the driver didn't take it the wrong way..
It is refreshing to see this car supremacist blogger identifying with other transport infrastructure users.
To me, our roads and cities should not be heirarchical by vehical choice, but by lack of vehical. I.e.: 1st: HUMANS (pedestrians) + occasional emergency services, then cyclists / foot scooters, then utility vehicles (trucks, delivery vehicles) and LAST at the bottom of the heap - the most unavaluable of all transport users: the private car.
@ david: do you ever wave to all the pedestrains waiting at crossing signals, who are making way and an effort to accomodate your giant car to drive past? No. Don't think your making an effort - your actually lazy for being in the car in the first place. Tha'ts why I don't smile or wave or thank you any cars that stop for me - no pedestrian should have to!
What are you talking about, expecting a thank you for stopping??!! Are you a VIP or something, maybe the Queen. You are required to stop by law at a pedestrian crossing as soon as a pedestrian puts their foot on it, not if you feel like it, or can safely stop????? What does that mean anyway - you are going to fast to stop in time, or just don't care about stopping. The same as a stop sign or give-way sign, motorists should always approach a pedestrian crossing with caution and be prepared to stop. I have been know to kick a car for not stopping for me - I hope you are the next person to try and run me over - can't wait to take you to court.
A bad pedestrian crossing is across Courtney Place outside the Reading Centre. However part of it is that there is so much pedestrian traffic that if you waited for the entire half of the road to clear, you'd never get move anywhere. Seems like there's a pedestrian every 4 metres...
It was at another crossing further up Courtney Place when I was a pedestrian that I entered the crossing, walked across half the road, and started out onto the other half when a bus whizzed by. Missed me by about 6 inches, and it wasn't slowing so I'd have been toast if it had hit me.
I chased the driver down at the next bus stop and gave him a lashing. His ignorance was astounding. He tried to tell me that the diamond in the street further down was a warning to pedestrians that there was traffic coming!!!
I was so astounded that I forgot to get the bus number to report him.
David #5
It is illegal not to stop for a pedestrian at a crossing. Therefore, whether they give you a wave or not, it is your responsibility to stop in order to comply with the road rules.
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I have no problem stopping for people at pedestrian crossings and always do albeit the occasional time i don't see someone standing there in time for me to break safetly. What annoys me is when people walk straight out, assuming everyone will just stop, and people that do the same at courtesy crossings when they are just that - 'courtesy'. I'll stop at them, but not in the middle of town. There's always people waiting so literally every car would have to stop to let someone cross if we all were 'courteous'. You usually get abused from the side of the road too...