Suicidal pedestrians

[R E S T E C P]

What do you do about pedestrians who step out onto the opposite side of the road ahead without warning and start crossing towards you - timing their crossing so that they will walk past your rear bumper just as you've passed them?

When I slow down they end up awkwardly startling to a halt in the middle of the road, too close for comfort to my still slowly moving car.

I've tried stopping but it's a fairly sharp 30-0 to stop before reaching them and still causes confusion (although is safer)

I can't speed up to get out of their path in case they also speed up and try to cross in front of me

Happens about once a month on a local 30mph road. I normally just keep going at a steady 30mph and they pass behind my car, but it's uncomfortable driving at that speed with someone walking right towards me...

[MockingJay]

Deploy the rear mounted machine gun.

[amancalledrob]

Just keep driving. Unless they break into a trot they're no more hazardous to you than the people still on the pavement

[gdaybruce]

Eye contact. If they're looking at you, carry on (with caution). If not, that's why you have a horn!

[yellowjack]

OP? Do you also have difficulty with cyclists turning out of side roads from the right?

I've seen this "slowing or stopping" response many times while cycling. Just don't bloody do it, OK? I've timed my departure from behind the give way line to coincide with your vehicle not being there any more, based on the speed you are travelling at, and the fact that there's nothing ahead of you to force you to slow down or stop. Then you see me on your right, and my carefully chosen departure time and speed are FUBAR'd by the driver panicking and hitting the brakes. Then I'm alongside the car and the driver feels the need to point out that I'm the one "doing it all wrong"...




In many locations it's hard, as a pedestrian, to get a "clear shot" from both directions when attempting to cross a road. So we take a CALCULATED RISK to time our crossing attempt to match the gap between vehicles on the far side, as close to the rear of the lead vehicle as possible. If the pedestrian is doing it right, you'll not need to speed up, slow down, or stop at all.

Drivers take CALCULATED RISKS when pulling out ahead of moving vehicles all the time without drama. It's just the same thing really, only the pedestrian's directional control and 'throttle response' are far more immediate and controllable than any car. It's not suicidal at all. I'd call it "slick drills"...

[watchnut]

like your comments yellow jack....+1, but you could have been more tactful?.....remember if one day the pedestrian/cyclist gets it wrong...along with the "OP" then st happens......

for me...mirrors (3 mirror sweep), prepare to lift off gas, or less gas, loading the front wheels, keep straight/ move to near side, and hope that they don't slip and fall in front of you....

Or bugger it....hit the twit....and drive off laughing

Edited by watchnut on Tuesday 7th February 19:09

[R E S T E C P]

yellowjack - A random cyclist's/pedestrian's/driver's calculation of risk does not feature highly in my own calculation. If I was happy to "hope for the best" I probably wouldn't have given this a second thought.

Thanks for the other comments. I am currently recruiting for a rear-gunner if you know anyone with experience.

[mac96]

We probably all do it, but assuming you will just slip behind the passing vehicle like this is risky. Please don't do it unless you have a good view in all directions!
I have been hit (in a car, fortunately) by another car doing just this, whose driver had not noticed the oncoming car which forced me to slow down as I passed the junction.
OK only pride was injured in my case, but...

[bigandclever]

R E S T E C P said:

Happens about once a month on a local 30mph road. I normally just keep going at a steady 30mph and they pass behind my car, but it's uncomfortable driving at that speed with someone walking right towards me...

Spend the day pootling around London, it'll probably happen a hundred times and you'll get used to it

[williredale]

As a pedestrian I've almost fked this up. 50 limit and busy with an island in the middle of the road. I time my walk to go behind a car but completely failed to register the BRIGHT RED post office van behind it. I stopped just in time and he looked at me as if to say next time you want to kill yourself please don't involve me...

I've been more cautious since

[7db]

There's an asymmetry of squishiness here. As the driver, I think you owe it to the pedestrian to exercise even more care than they do, and as an advanced driver, an obligation to ensure that you can calmly accommodate the mistakes of others.

If they have seen you and are giving you space then behave like a good "stand-on vessel" and maintain course and speed. If they are cutting it a bit fine then you need to take into account that the distance you can see to be clear may no longer be reasonably expected to remain so and moderate your line and length accordingly.

Many years ago, I had a chap cut it everso fine with me. I think he was deliberately making a point and I failed to accommodate him. I learned a lesson about accommodating others that day: my tyre took his shoe off his foot without touching him. He looked surprised to reach the pavement in one sock. I was surprised he reached the pavement at all.

[Gary C]

The eye contact is key. If they are looking at you, then they know what they are doing, let them get on with it, if no eye contact, then worry and take action.

[LifeontheRoad]

Pedestrians are a big problem here. I do my best to maintain speed but watch for someone to enter the street at any tume. If they are paying attention then I don't slow down but if they look like they aren't paying attention than I slow down.

[AlexH89]

Clutch in and REV

[akirk]

yellowjack said:

...and the driver feels the need to point out that I'm the one "doing it all wrong"...

you are, because you are failing to anticipate the idiotic driver!
your concept is right and it is the slickest and neatest way for a cyclist to join a road, but you are up against drivers without much common sense sadly!

[pim]

I expect children to cross the road without thinking.Also some adults it happens.In busy streets that is what I try to keep scanning contstantly in case.

That is why I hate talking in busy traffic in my car.It so easily done to miss a pedestrian crossing or waiting to cross at a zebra crossing.

A few weeks ago I made the same mistake myself as a pedestrian.I was miles away trying to cross a busy road.The bus driver was more alert than me and saved my bacon.We all made mistakes and it can easily cost your life.

[Uncle8ill]

I thought I would chip in here... I live in London and as 1 of the posts above mentioned, this is common place... as you would never get across otherwise.... unfortunately as with most things, common sense and awareness of what is going on is lacking.

I like to think of myself as a considerate driver and pedestrian and not only do I look at the car but also the drivers involved before crossing in this manner. I have even had someone slap my boot as they crossed behind me before casually walking off.

I do not yet consider myself suicidal and people need to allow traffic and pedestrians to flow around each other whilst noticing those that are unaware of the flow.... ie... on a phone and then step out, or try this... those are the suicidal ones. Those drivers that slam on the brakes just to give someone a piece of their mind need to grow up and go learn to drive in a kick along car first.

The road is no place for anger, complacency and selfishness... sadly there is too much around

[Evilex]

I once had a pedestrian run into the side of my car from my nearside whist he was looking backward over his shoulder and clutching a can of Stella Artois. It's a long and not even remotely funny story, so I won't tell it here.
They are indeed like bipedal lemmings.