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!

[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

[MothersMilk]

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

[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!

[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

[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