It's green - I can go!
Discussion
I had a worrying moment today whilst using a pelican crossing...... Audible signal not working, so I looked at the traffic lights which were on red. Whilst I was crossing the car on the other side started moving (as I was directly in front of it) and then stopped - a bit unnerving. I proceeded to the shop where my car was parked, and indeed where the car went into. I was approached by lady driver, so I said "sorry to hold you up - it wasn't intentional, the lights must have changed whilst I was crossing" to be told - "you crossed when the light was green, that's why I went forward. I'd have been within my rights to run you over". I politely explained that it was red when I started crossing, and when the light changes it means you can only proceed if it's safe. "I'm feeling threatened now - I could call the Police" she said, so I responded with "ok , please call them so they can explain the legal situation to you" She of course didn't do this, and just said again "you crossed when it was green" So I just said "we'll disagree on that then, but I can assure you you can't just go running pedestrians over - they have priority". Otherwise i had a good day 
I'm astonished (but not surprised) that a motorist thinks it is ok to go just because the light is green!
I'm astonished (but not surprised) that a motorist thinks it is ok to go just because the light is green!
A lot of motorists out there think amber means go as well.
If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
Yestetday a woman walked out into my path. She came from between cars on stop in the other direction. She was looking away and not in my direction. I braked hard and stopped 10 yards from her from aspeed of 25-30.
She looked at me as she finished crossing, I just shook my head in disbelief. I heard her shout someting but the word “ sorry” was not included.
She wasn’t on a mobile etc, just not checking properly, aged late 30’s to early 40’s.
Luckily I spotted she wasn’t looking in my direction so reacted that fraction sooner.
She looked at me as she finished crossing, I just shook my head in disbelief. I heard her shout someting but the word “ sorry” was not included.
She wasn’t on a mobile etc, just not checking properly, aged late 30’s to early 40’s.
Luckily I spotted she wasn’t looking in my direction so reacted that fraction sooner.
Retroman said:
A lot of motorists out there think amber means go as well.
If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
I completely agree with your first point regarding 'go as long as it's safe', too many people fail to realise this. What if an older person was crossing the road, and left on green man, but didn't make it over in time? It's common sense but it evades people. If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
On your other point, I am glad jaywalking is legal, I work in the square mile and around rush hour it would be impossible to walk anywhere in a decent amount of time if you had to wait for ped crossing and lights.
I regularly nearly get squished at zebra crossings on a 30mph stretch of road near me. Despite rocking up and waiting for cars to slow down from a good 100 yards away or more, there have been countless times where the driver just keeps going, no change of speed or any attempt to even slow down. I guess they think they can get away with it. I sometimes wonder if it's financially worth getting hit on a crossing but then I remind myself that it would hurt rather a lot !
NikBartlett said:
I regularly nearly get squished at zebra crossings on a 30mph stretch of road near me. Despite rocking up and waiting for cars to slow down from a good 100 yards away or more, there have been countless times where the driver just keeps going, no change of speed or any attempt to even slow down. I guess they think they can get away with it. I sometimes wonder if it's financially worth getting hit on a crossing but then I remind myself that it would hurt rather a lot !
It's perfectly legal to drive through a zebra crossing with a pedestrian waiting. You only have to stop when they are physically crossing the road.We went to Italy 20 years ago, and they have zebra crossings, but the motorists don't stop (even if you are on the crossing!) but go around you! I couldn't get used to it, but my Wife was comfortable with it - We didn't get knocked over, despite mopeds etc avoiding us! It still seemed alien though. Back home the next week on a Sunday, very little traffic, I crossed a zebra and (keeping a lookout as I crossed as usual), when i was halfway across a white van came speeding along and I don't think he even realised there was a zebra (let alone I was on it) - Fortunately I leapt out of the way, and then thought afterwards "I should have bashed the side of the van and claimed he'd knocked me over"
At the time self-preservation was more important
At the time self-preservation was more important coffeebreath said:
NikBartlett said:
I regularly nearly get squished at zebra crossings on a 30mph stretch of road near me. Despite rocking up and waiting for cars to slow down from a good 100 yards away or more, there have been countless times where the driver just keeps going, no change of speed or any attempt to even slow down. I guess they think they can get away with it. I sometimes wonder if it's financially worth getting hit on a crossing but then I remind myself that it would hurt rather a lot !
It's perfectly legal to drive through a zebra crossing with a pedestrian waiting. You only have to stop when they are physically crossing the road.But it's good practice for drivers to approach with caution, prepare to stop for people who don't quite understand fully how the crossings work...
NikBartlett said:
I regularly nearly get squished at zebra crossings on a 30mph stretch of road near me. Despite rocking up and waiting for cars to slow down from a good 100 yards away or more, there have been countless times where the driver just keeps going, no change of speed or any attempt to even slow down. I guess they think they can get away with it. I sometimes wonder if it's financially worth getting hit on a crossing but then I remind myself that it would hurt rather a lot !
How are you "nearly getting squished" if you are stood at the side of the road waiting to cross?A bit over-dramatic, no?
Retroman said:
A lot of motorists out there think amber means go as well.
If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
Flashing amber (Pelican crossings) and steady green on all types both mean you may go if it is safe to do so.If you ask the vast majority of drivers that a green light means, they will say "go" not "go as long as it is safe and clear". The latter of course is the correct answer. I remember reading a case where a cyclist went through a red light and got hit by a taxi going through on green. Both were held accountable and at fault but the taxi was determined to be more at fault as it was discovered they were speeding and despite it being green, the cyclist was there so it wasn't safe or clear to go, and the driver has a higher onus of care.
I do wish jaywalking was an offence over here as well though. Too many pedestrians in the city where i work just walk out into the road without looking and not using crossings despite there being plenty, often right beside them.
48k said:
How are you "nearly getting squished" if you are stood at the side of the road waiting to cross?
A bit over-dramatic, no?
Because more often than not I have made the call to step out onto to the crossing and then realised before I step foot on it that the idiot driving barrelling down the road has failed to clock my existence and so I abort. You quickly learn to develop a sixth sense. A bit over-dramatic, no?
NikBartlett said:
48k said:
How are you "nearly getting squished" if you are stood at the side of the road waiting to cross? A bit over-dramatic, no?
Because more often than not I have made the call to step out onto to the crossing and then realised before I step foot on it that the idiot driving barrelling down the road has failed to clock my existence and so I abort. You quickly learn to develop a sixth sense. RichB said:
NikBartlett said:
48k said:
How are you "nearly getting squished" if you are stood at the side of the road waiting to cross? A bit over-dramatic, no?
Because more often than not I have made the call to step out onto to the crossing and then realised before I step foot on it that the idiot driving barrelling down the road has failed to clock my existence and so I abort. You quickly learn to develop a sixth sense. Squished and cars barrelling along ?
Are you crossing a road or a racetrack ?
Exige77 said:
RichB said:
NikBartlett said:
48k said:
How are you "nearly getting squished" if you are stood at the side of the road waiting to cross? A bit over-dramatic, no?
Because more often than not I have made the call to step out onto to the crossing and then realised before I step foot on it that the idiot driving barrelling down the road has failed to clock my existence and so I abort. You quickly learn to develop a sixth sense. Squished and cars barrelling along ?
Are you crossing a road or a racetrack ?
NikBartlett said:
Exige77 said:
Still sounds a bit overly dramatic ?
Squished and cars barrelling along ?
Are you crossing a road or a racetrack ?
Sometimes I wonder around here Squished and cars barrelling along ?
Are you crossing a road or a racetrack ?
A 30 zone you say ?
100 yards away ?
How wide is the road ?
So many questions
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