pedestrian crossing etiquette

[Lateralus]

ok - I just want to run this by you all and see what you think.

When I was at the shops this morning, I was carrying DD & we were heading for the pedestrian crossing. We were just about to step on to it, when a car drove through the crossing. The woman driver had her window open, so I said "thanks for that" as I thought she was in the wrong for driving through the crossing just as we were about to cross. She slammed on her brakes and started gesticulating, but I walked off as I thought I had said all that needed to be said. About 40 minutes later I was coming out of the supermarket and the same lady accosted me and asked me "what the point of my comment on the crossing" was. I said that it was because she had driven through the crossing as we were about to cross & she insisted that she was in the right because she had reached the crossing first. I then said that it was not a matter of 'beat the pedestrian' & that it showed a distinct lack of courtesy to not let a mother carrying a baby cross at a crossing. She then proceeded to say that I was the one who lacked courtesy as she had a disabled child in the car?? Am I missing something here?? As hard as it would be to care for a disabled child, does that excuse her from driving in a safe & courteous manner? Am I being too harsh here? Or have I missed the point of pedestrian crossings - is it first in, first served? I ALWAYS stop and let people across even if they are not physically standing on the crossing when I am approaching - If I can see they are heading that way, I will stop. I am not sure why this has me so hot under the collar! :banghead:

[EmPowering]

i thought it was if the pedestrians were about to step onto the crossing/had stepped the cars had to stop?:)

[Lateralus]

that's what I thought too :thumbsup:

[MothersMilk]

As i understand it pedestrians have the right of way. She should have stopped :yes:

[Teegzie]

I've always assumed that if a pedestrian was at or close to the crossing that a car had to stop and let them cross.

I'm the kind of pedestrian that is overly cautious and will stop at a crossing if I see a car near and the amount of cars that just zoom through the crossing is horrifying! :thumbsdown:

[EmPowering]

sounds like she may have just been trying to cover her bum haha

[Thalia]

There are times when it's more practical for a pedastrian to let car have right of way irrespective of what the law says. For example on our local high street, you get pedastrians walking parallel to the road, not looking like crossing, then they suddenly do & expect you to slam on your brakes. I think if it was obvious you were about to cross and she had plenty of indication that you were in the right, but there's certainly no need for you to comment as you did, considering the amount of psychos out there and the fact you had your daughter with you, - a bit irresponsible. Next time just let it slide.

[Lateralus]

There are times when it's more practical for a pedastrian to let car have right of way irrespective of what the law says. For example on our local high street, you get pedastrians walking parallel to the road, not looking like crossing, then they suddenly do & expect you to slam on your brakes. I think if it was obvious you were about to cross and she had plenty of indication that you were in the right, but there's certainly no need for you to comment as you did, considering the amount of psychos out there and the fact you had your daughter with you, - a bit irresponsible. Next time just let it slide.

It was a crossing in a car park & we were walking towards it - so quite obvious we were about to cross.

I always get in trouble from DH for commenting on peoples rude behavior - but I can't help it. I think people in general get away with too much because no one is willing to stand up to them - but I will concede, perhaps best not to do it when I have DD with me :o

[RmumR]

you were definently in the right. she being the driver of a vehicle has to give way to a pedestrian especially on a designated pedestrian crossing.
If a police officer had witnessed the event she could have been cautioned or booked for defying the road rules.
Like you said its not a matter of beat the pedestrian to the crossing, its give way to the pedestrian no matter what

[youngmummyof3]

i always though it was give way to pedestrians

[InfiniteDreams]

she should have stopped!

and by the sounds of it, she sounds like one of those people that blame others for things that go wrong in her own life....

there was no need to point out that her child was disabled, as even if the car was empty of passengers, the same road rules/ettiquette apply.

your comment was definately called for!

[Ana Gram]

You were right, she was wrong.

[sweetseven]

I remember several years ago hearing that the laws were changing from give way to pedestrians on a crossing to give way to pedestrians approaching or on a crossing. Thus I believe you were in the right.

I often have the opposite situation, waving drivers to continue on their way whilst waiting for all my children to be ready to cross the road.

[PeppaH]

lol I always shout stuff at people who dont stop :laughing: 'ITS CALLED A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FOR A REASON!!" I hate when people dont stop. When Im not pushing the pram I will just walk straight out because its not my responsibilty to look out for cars its their job to look out for people walking. My DF ALWAYS stops at them even when their is no one at them just to make sure (this is when driving)

That been said, I dont give the same curticy when at places for cars. So if its a car park and someone just walks out in front of me while driving I am rude to them and tell them its NOT a pedestrian crossing lol Same as in out little towny area there is a bend and people always run across infront of cars :hair: Drives me nuts, it IS NOT a crossing! It is a road, just because cars go slow through this area doesnt mean pedestrians have the right away. I get glared at and heads shaken at me (when Im driving) because I dont stop for them to cross :rolleyes:

[Mathermy]

I thought it was the law not common courtesy:confused: What a cow!

[lulu 2]

That been said, I dont give the same curticy when at places for cars. So if its a car park and someone just walks out in front of me while driving I am rude to them and tell them its NOT a pedestrian crossing lol Same as in out little towny area there is a bend and people always run across infront of cars :hair: Drives me nuts, it IS NOT a crossing! It is a road, just because cars go slow through this area doesnt mean pedestrians have the right away. I get glared at and heads shaken at me (when Im driving) because I dont stop for them to cross :rolleyes:

That bend drives me nuts too ,I was driving the old work ute the other day and a bloke just walked out in front of me he was lucky the brakes even worked!
I get ppl driving thru pedestrian crossings in front of me all the time somedays I wonder if I am invisible lol and its not like they don't know its a crossing when its brightly painted and is raised in a speed hump too.

[mum2bubba]

I think she was in the wrong. I always stop if there are people standing around/near the crossings and wave for them to go across, sometimes they don't though, they'll just shake their heads or say "we're not crossing yet" or something like that. Many times I've nearly been ran over by idiot drivers who don't slow down at a zebra/pedestrian crossing when I've stepped out on the road, I always say something like but not sure if they hear me. I just say "you're supposed to stop, moron!"

[The Girls Only Club]

Pedestrians always have right of way.
When I was on my learners my driving instructor told me pedestrians always have right of way even if they are crossing where there is no crossing.
Not sure whether that is accurate or not

[Bell & Bug]

She was definately in the wrong. Pedestrians always have right of way, regardless if the car 'got there first', that is just bull.
Some people just don't know how to drive, I hope she doesn't have to hit some one before learning the road rules.

[MrsBeee]

"beat the pedestrian" :laughing:
Not really funny, because that's how someone will get hit one day, but she was definitely in the wrong.
BTW, what's with her waiting 40 MINUTES just to have a go at you if she has a disabled child in the car?? :confused:

[Lily of the Nile]

You have to slow down almost stopping on approaching a crossing and 'look' for pedestrians about to cross or approaching it. First in, first served? She's going to run someone over with that attitude.

I had a lady bipping at me the other day because I had stopped at a green light for an ambulance to pass? She gave me hand gestures, bipping her horn (what she couldn't hear the siren?)... then saw the ambulance and stopped what she was doing... But far out, I was hoping to see her again and tell her where to go, biatch.

[UmmInayah]

she obviously has some personal issue about her child's disability.

i would ignore her. the fact that she was still carrying on about it after the time had been and gone means she has nothing better to do than pick on others.

what a moron. you were right. she was wrong.

[Mathermy]

You have to slow down almost stopping on approaching a crossing and 'look' for pedestrians about to cross or approaching it. First in, first served? She's going to run someone over with that attitude.

I had a lady bipping at me the other day because I had stopped at a green light for an ambulance to pass? She gave me hand gestures, bipping her horn (what she couldn't hear the siren?)... then saw the ambulance and stopped what she was doing... But far out, I was hoping to see her again and tell her where to go, biatch.

I would have been inclined to give her a "hand gesture" of my own!:laughing:

[PeppaH]

Pedestrians always have right of way.
When I was on my learners my driving instructor told me pedestrians always have right of way even if they are crossing where there is no crossing.
Not sure whether that is accurate or not


Technically they do have right away but ALOT of people take it for granted and use it at the most stupidest places. They know you being in a car HAS to stop for them other wise...Well squish... lol But yeah its just common ense not to walk out in front of cars...

[brogeybear]

The rule is "if the pedestrian is approaching the crossing you must stop" You were and are completely in the right...what a bat, probably having a bad day, but seriously let it go lady!

[fludo]

When Im not pushing the pram I will just walk straight out because its not my responsibilty to look out for cars its their job to look out for people walking.



My cousin does this too - scares the s#$%t out of me when I'm walking with her. You may be in the right, but if the car doesn't stop, you're gonna be right AND squashed....so pretty dumb if you ask me. I know I have right of way as a pedestrian but I always stop and look and don't step out if a car is coming really fast until I see it's slowing down for me.

[purska]

pedestrians always have right of way on marked (zebra stripes) .that driver would hate our town cause most of the pedestrians walk straight out no matter what! (i know nuts!)

[Pinkzy]

You were definitely in the right.

And to be honest, even if you weren't (ie even if she did have 'right of way')...anyone who continues driving their car when they can clearly see someone who's about to WALK in front of them has got to be a pretty twisted sort of a human being. The fact that she had the nerve to approach you and try and make out like you were in the wrong also makes me think the woman has problems of some kind.

I think you were kind. Had that of been me (especially at the shops today lol) she would of copped a way harsher ear bashing :)

[Lipsmacker01]

You definately had right of way. Its unfortunate that these days society is all about me, me, me. People are just so rude and ignorant. I had the same thing happen to me last week when I had my 6 month old in an ergo and was walking my 3 year old through one and boy did I have a few choice words to share with the man that was driving his blue late model nissan pulsar.

How rude of that lady to approach you again and question her wrong doing, shame on her.

[moozle]

You are ALWAYS supposed to give way to pedestrians ESPECIALLY on a crossing. What if you'd steped out assuming she'd stop - like a lot of people do? If she keeps this up, I hate to think of what could happen :( She sounds like a very unpleasant person. You were definately in the right. What a horrible experience. I hope you and that beautiful bub of yours are ok :hugs:

[PeppaH]

My cousin does this too - scares the s#$%t out of me when I'm walking with her. You may be in the right, but if the car doesn't stop, you're gonna be right AND squashed....so pretty dumb if you ask me. I know I have right of way as a pedestrian but I always stop and look and don't step out if a car is coming really fast until I see it's slowing down for me.

Yeah well I have been known to be pretty stupid lol I just do it to p!ss people off in cars because I KNOW I am in the right and if they do hit me then they are going to get busted lol.I generally look before I approach and if there are idiots around I wont cross but if its quiet and what not then I just cross.

[xkwzit]

I always stop even if someone is just approaching the crossing. I hate to make ppl wait, esp if they are in the sun or have a trolley / pram. If they would have to stop to wait for me while I go across in the car, I will stop, even if they haven't quite made it to the crossing yet.

Cheers

[Lateralus]

thanks ladies - I feel totally vindicated! :hugs:

I think the reason she approached me later on (with her handicapped child in tow) was in the hope that I would start yelling & her & hence look like the crazy one having a go at the lady with the disabled kid. In the end it was only her that made a scene and looked like a tool!

[Lateralus]

ps - & don't you hate it when you think of the comeback of the year after the event. I wish I'd said I hope she was more careful when she was flying around on her broom stick than she was in her car ;):laughing: