Cars not stopping at pedestrian crossings

[englisharcher]

Is it me, or are more cars refusing to stop at zebra crossing?

Several times in the last week I've seen cars refuse to stop, and my wife has just told me that earlier a car stopped for her, but before she could start crossing a van went around the car and over the crossing.

What offence are they committing?

I'm getting so annoyed about this, I may have to start throwing emerge cans (red bulls too expensive to waste by throwing)

[DSS1]

Can it be classed as 'Driving without due care and attention' ?

I've seen it happen loads of times before, unbelievable.

[jmorgan]

Seems to be the way things are going in general, the standards are dropping. Even on a pelican.

[grumpyscot]

But cyclists do this all the time so why not motorists (since most of them are cyclists too!)

[markcoznottz]

doogz said:

They built a zebra crossing outside the office here, about a year ago now.

At first, no-one stopped at it, we figured it was just because even though there are signs, lots of white paint on the road, and big flashing lights, people weren't used to it being there.

But still, a year on, the only way to get people to actually stop, is to walk out in front of them.

There are so many clueless fking mongs crossing the road any where they choose that most drivers I guess have thought fk it whats good for the goose,.. Part of the me first culture nowadays.

[Speed_Demon]

I'm noticing this too as well as a sharp decline in people using indicators. Can't say I'm surprised, the decline in driving standards has been pretty notable over the years. I'm wondering what's going to slip next.

Edit: I just jokingly thought to myself "People will be going round roundabouts the wrong way to get to their exit faster", the smile on my face quickly turned into a look of despair as I realised that's not as absurd as I'd like to think it is.

Edited by Speed_Demon on Tuesday 10th April 17:36

Edited by Speed_Demon on Tuesday 10th April 17:37

[vonhosen]

englisharcher said:

Is it me, or are more cars refusing to stop at zebra crossing?

Several times in the last week I've seen cars refuse to stop, and my wife has just told me that earlier a car stopped for her, but before she could start crossing a van went around the car and over the crossing.

What offence are they committing?

I'm getting so annoyed about this, I may have to start throwing emerge cans (red bulls too expensive to waste by throwing)

There are many specific offences in the Zebra Pelican and Puffin Pedestrian Crossings Regs 1997, including failing to accord precedence & overtaking within the zebra controlled area etc.

[aka_kerrly]

I encounter this everyday as there is a invisible black/white with orange flashy lights zebra crossing outside my office.

Without a doubt those that annoy me most are the drivers who stare right at you and still continue to drive through and either stare straight forward or pretend to look surprised.

Dave

[Dangerous Dan]

I have been nearly run over on a zebra crossing despite being half way across.

According to the driver he didn't have to stop and give way as it was a road. The acres of paint and belisha beacons on the crossing are irrelevant, apparently.

[williamp]

doogz said:

, the only way to get people to actually stop, is to walk out in front of them.

Isnt that what's meant to happen anyway ie you dont hane to stop if the pedestrian is on the kerb, but must stop if they are in the crossing area??

[Speed_Demon]

I've resorted to throwing things at people who don't stop/almost run me over. Nothing of substance, but enough for them to definitely hear it. Ohhhh they don't like it.

[Speed_Demon]

williamp said:

Isnt that what's meant to happen anyway ie you dont hane to stop if the pedestrian is on the kerb, but must stop if they are in the crossing area??

No, they must stop if you are clearly looking to cross AFAIK.

[Willy Nilly]

Not had a problem. I try to make eye contact and don't expect drivers to have noticed me nor just drop anchor at the last second.

I can think of at least 2 ped exings where it looks perfectly acceptable for vehicles to kind of push their way across because pedestrians comes across just frequently enough that the traffic hardly moves. Both the people crossing on foot and driving across seem to know the score and it works.

[silverfoxcc]

Failure to accord precedence in july 65. fined £5.00 and endorsement. Only one so far.

Also i was a ped once when some loon went over in front of me that near i kicked his door and then laid in the road ( had mates with me) he went off like st off a shovel none of us got his number though too busy laughing at his reaction( this was back in the 60's as well)

[gr88]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

they (idiot governments) changed the highway code on crossings......

now you have to be 'on the crossing' for the driver to have to stop

ie dead if he doesnt

fkwits in charge imho

[barker22]

What's worse than cars not stopping for zebra crossings is pedestrians assuming every bit of white paint on the road in the form of 'stepping stones' automatically makes it a zebra crossing and that they can walk out without a second thought.
You know the ones, crossings at supermarkets and retail parks between cars where the steps are located. Yes it may be polite to stop for them but I don't have to especially when there are no cars behind me.

[0000]

Give them a knock on the window to wake them up as they go past.

[sday12]

0000 said:

Give them a knock on the window kick in the passenger door to wake them up as they go past.

[stephen300o]

Seems a good place for this piece from Bill Hicks:

"LA is the home of the pedestrian right of way law. What this law is, is if a pedestrian decides to cross the road, anywhere or any time on the road, every car has to stop and let this person cross the road. Yes, 'cos only in LA does common courtesy have to be legislated.
Every car has to stop. Pretty ludicrous in light of the city we're in now right [London], if someone steps in front of your car here, you speed up and turn your wipers on you know. "Bum chhh, bum chhh. Bad call brother. Rrrrr." "Must've had a bad day.
I don't know." Stupid law. How may of y'all wondered like I did during the LA riots, when those people were pulled out of their trucks and beaten half to death.
How many of y'all wondered like I did... "Step on the fking gas, man! They're on foot, you're in a truck... I think I see away out of this!" That pedestrian right of way law.
People are driving home, gang of youths stepped in front of their truck, Molotov cocktails, clubs in hand, everyone of these idiots.... Screeech. I guarantee you that Reginald Denney, that truck driver. Never gonna stop again as long as he lives. Could be an old woman with a baby carriage crossing the road, he's [truck horn sounding out] "Not today, baby.""

Forgive the randomness, just popped into the noggin when I saw the thread.

[reggie82]

gr88 said:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Hig...

they (idiot governments) changed the highway code on crossings......

now you have to be 'on the crossing' for the driver to have to stop

ie dead if he doesnt

fkwits in charge imho

You only have to edge a toe onto the crossing though, so not really dangerous.

I agree it's a weird rule though.