They're PEDESTRIAN crossings you know!
Discussion
Crossing the road to my local Esso/Tesco Express place (A404, Terriers, Wycombe for the locals). Now this is quite a dodgy bit fo road due to cars pulling in and out and general traffic mess.
So there I am, walk up to the crossing and stop to cross over to the shop. Cars a fair distance off, one side cars stopped to let someone out of the forecourt. I start to cross. First the lady in a black Getz zooms right across my path from the forecourt without looking, then halfway across another lady in a light coloured Scenic doesn't even bother to slow, and passes right in front of me - I don't know where she came from, she wasn't hanging about.
I'm a bit annoyed by this, but I always treat the stereotypical housewife driver like all other drivers - i.e. think they're an idiot and expect this kind of thing, plus I'm phyiscally able and didn't have a pram/zimmer frame. Therefore I was in no danger of being hit as I saw them 'not see me'.
So I come back to the crossing after a successful sortie into the shop. I stop at the crossing, a lady in a silver espace nearly takes my toes off as I think about stepping out. She even had time to weakly wave in a 'sorry' kind of motion from her steering wheel. So why didn't you stop you fucking idiot!?!
I'm 6ft 5, was wearing a white T shirt (and jeans). Very visible. Lord help any small kids/infirm people that try to cross using this crossing.
What the flock is wrong with people? In the past I have kicked people's cars as they fail to stop as I'm crossing (the crossing on the A40 in old town Beaconsfield is good for this). I think it's about time I started doing that again.
Of course these women would be first to cast scorn at me 'flying' past their school at throwing out time at 20mph.
So there I am, walk up to the crossing and stop to cross over to the shop. Cars a fair distance off, one side cars stopped to let someone out of the forecourt. I start to cross. First the lady in a black Getz zooms right across my path from the forecourt without looking, then halfway across another lady in a light coloured Scenic doesn't even bother to slow, and passes right in front of me - I don't know where she came from, she wasn't hanging about.
I'm a bit annoyed by this, but I always treat the stereotypical housewife driver like all other drivers - i.e. think they're an idiot and expect this kind of thing, plus I'm phyiscally able and didn't have a pram/zimmer frame. Therefore I was in no danger of being hit as I saw them 'not see me'.
So I come back to the crossing after a successful sortie into the shop. I stop at the crossing, a lady in a silver espace nearly takes my toes off as I think about stepping out. She even had time to weakly wave in a 'sorry' kind of motion from her steering wheel. So why didn't you stop you fucking idiot!?!
I'm 6ft 5, was wearing a white T shirt (and jeans). Very visible. Lord help any small kids/infirm people that try to cross using this crossing.
What the flock is wrong with people? In the past I have kicked people's cars as they fail to stop as I'm crossing (the crossing on the A40 in old town Beaconsfield is good for this). I think it's about time I started doing that again.
Of course these women would be first to cast scorn at me 'flying' past their school at throwing out time at 20mph.
docjan said:
Do you just walk out onto crossings expecting cars to stop? Sure its your right of way but hey, you're just flesh and bones against a tonne of metal. I wait and look, hell, I try to look into the drivers eyes if Im unsure.
NO, I don't have a death wish. But you can't be expected to stand there all day either. Come to the crossing, stop, look, walk. Now if I were a 99 year old granny I might wait for ages for a queue of cars to form before crossing ... but judging by the drivers today I'd better bring a good book to read during the wait.
targarama said:
What the flock is wrong with people? In the past I have kicked people's cars as they fail to stop as I'm crossing (the crossing on the A40 in old town Beaconsfield is good for this). I think it's about time I started doing that again.
Of course these women would be first to cast scorn at me 'flying' past their school at throwing out time at 20mph.
During the dying days of the John Major administration I had a golden opportunity to wipe out his majority of one as I approached said crossing in Beaconsfield Old Town whilst Tim Smith, he of the brown envelopes full of cash, crossed before my eyes.
mcflurry said:
In such a case I pretend to step out and the cars stop pdq 
When I poland I ws told the cars dont have to stop unless your actually on the crossing!!! Which resulted in a "testing the water with your toe" acton from the kerb to make them stop before actually jumping ontot he crossing.
When I poland I ws told the cars dont have to stop unless your actually on the crossing!!! Which resulted in a "testing the water with your toe" acton from the kerb to make them stop before actually jumping ontot he crossing.
when in poland its safer crossing the road to make sure you are in a T34
when in poland its safer crossing the road to make sure you are in a T34
theconrodkid said:
When I poland I ws told the cars dont have to stop unless your actually on the crossing!!! Which resulted in a "testing the water with your toe" acton from the kerb to make them stop before actually jumping ontot he crossing.
when in poland its safer crossing the road to make sure you are in a T34
Just like France and most of Southern Europe. Look 'em in the eye and step out.
One thing that drives me mad - pedestrians who push their luck dodging traffic on a busy high street when there is a crossing 50 feet down the road.
My issue is that if there is a crossing and someone is trying to use it then you should stop. I always slow around crossings like I was taught to, and stop if anyone looks remotely like they might want to cross. I also wait until the pedestrian has completely left the crossing before pulling away again - something many drivers do not do. People obviously disregard the highway code once they pass their test.
I think many people are in too much of a rush for their own good and everyone should calm down a bit sometimes.
My issue is that if there is a crossing and someone is trying to use it then you should stop. I always slow around crossings like I was taught to, and stop if anyone looks remotely like they might want to cross. I also wait until the pedestrian has completely left the crossing before pulling away again - something many drivers do not do. People obviously disregard the highway code once they pass their test.
I think many people are in too much of a rush for their own good and everyone should calm down a bit sometimes.
targarama said:
When I poland I ws told the cars dont have to stop unless your actually on the crossing!!! Which resulted in a "testing the water with your toe" acton from the kerb to make them stop before actually jumping ontot he crossing.
when in poland its safer crossing the road to make sure you are in a T34
Just like France and most of Southern Europe. Look 'em in the eye and step out.
and like the UK
los angeles said:Aaaargh no not again!
I took this subject head-on in a thread entitled, Pedestrians Tossers the lot, not so long ago and met with a fair bit of shrill resistance. Stuff 'em. As a lover of fast and furious cars I enjoy showing courtesy to pedestrians as part of pride in good driving and consideration for those battling the elements.
Hi LA. In that thread you didn't take on people who disagreed with you, you took on people who were saying exactly the same as you about courtesy and consideration to ordinary pedestrians waiting to traverse the road, away from crossings too.
Only thing is the thread was about chavs and Darwin Award candidates not grannies or PHers waiting to cross. On courtesy and consideration virtually everyone agreed with you mate! Boy did you fail to spot it. Any venom was directed at various forms of nutter and chav who throw stones, kick wing mirrors and spray water at passing cars - from their vantage point walking slowly along the middle of the road.
Go read, but let's not kick off again eh
[Clint]This is a £1.44 Magnum, the most powerful icecream in the world...blow a man's head clean oarff...I know what you're thinkin...was it six pedestrians or only five...well you gotta ask yourself...do I feel lucky...well do ya...LA[/Clint]
>> Edited by turbobloke on Saturday 2nd July 11:37
>> Edited by turbobloke on Saturday 2nd July 11:37
streaky said:sorry streaky
It may be 3 am in the morning, pal... 
but it's a good time to cross the street
I thought we were typing small as LA was sleepy and we didn't want to wake him
turbobloke said:Thank you, apologies if I woke LA - Streaky
It may be 3 am in the morning, pal...
but it's a good time to cross the street
Why is everyone writing 'small'? I had to get my reading glasses out! - Streaky
sorry streaky
I thought we were typing small as LA was sleepy and we didn't want to wake him
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