Stupid Pedestrians Vent

[welovedisneyx4]

A few months ago, I was on my way to work. Made my left turn and proceeded down the road. My side of the road was moving smoothly, but the opposing lane was backed up and stopped dead. About halfway down the road, NO crosswalk, an elderly man with a cane stepped out from behind a box truck, right in front of my car, without looking. Nobody could have seen him. The cars in front of me had made no indication that there was a person there (they didn't slow or stop or swerve). I was only doing the speed limit, but there was no way I could stop that quickly. Luckily, I was able to swerve and avoid hitting him. The person behind me did manage to stop with a squeal of brakes, and when I looked in my rearview mirror, I noticed that the man had continued across the road, never looking to either side.

This happen to me when I was a Senior in HS. I was coming home on a rainy day and an elderly woman stepped out directly into my lane from in front of a stopped car that was waiting to turn. (She was in a crosswalk) I did everything I could to aviod hitting her, and luckily, I did. I had to break as hard as I could (but w/ the roads being wet, I didn't want to slam on my breaks and slide) and swerve off the road. I didn't hit her, but she did fall. There happened to be a policeman sitting in the lane going in the opposite direction who saw the whole thing. He came over and calmed me down and said I had done everything I possibly could have to miss hitting her and that I wasn't speeding or anything. The lady said that her driving instructor told her if she was in the crosswalk, people had to stop for her. That may be true, but not when you step out directly into their path!!!

 

[starrzone]

I'm sorry, but your statement above really bothers and hurts me.

I did hit two pedestrians 7 years ago. They were crossing the street (where there was no crosswalk, so they were jaywalking) in front of my car. I had a green light and I had the right of way. I didn't even know they were there until it was too late. When everything was over, I was not found at fault and there were nearly cited for crossing at a non-pedestrian crosswalk. There was a lawsuit and they did get a lot of money (personally, they were at fault, not me and didn't deserve money).

Calling somebody stupid for hitting a pedestrian is a horrible and hurtful comment. I never asked for that to happen to me. I have suffered from PTSD since it - flashbacks to the accidents while driving and even just sitting at home watching TV, insomnia, anxiety attacks and the list goes on and on. My emotional wounds will never heal...they get better over time, but they will never go away.

I didn't wake up that morning thinking that I was going to go out and hit two people. I had never (and still haven't) had an accident or even gotten a ticket in my driving career. So no, not everybody who hits pedestrians are stupid. Most people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm so sorry this happened to you. I have had some very close calls myself, and while the pedestrians would have been at fault, I would have felt absolutely horrible for hitting them. They are human, after all, no matter how the circumstances.

I have been on both sides of the issue, so to speak. I lived in a university city without a car for 4 years and walked almost everywhere I could. Now, I could say that I was an angel and only crossed at crosswalks, but there was many a time that I did run across the street. I gambled with my life, and it was a stupid thing to do (the dumbest thing I ever did was run across I-92 in Kissimmee with a friend because we wanted to get to a gift shop on the other side...stupid!). There are some parking lots without designated crosswalks, so it's almost like a rat maze trying to get in and out of the store. What makes it worse here where I live is the snow; 2 lanes are reduces to 1.5, piles of snow make it hard to see, there's ice everywhere so pedestrians and drivers are slipping and sliding...

However, as a driver I've seen my fair share of dumb moves. I learned in playschool to look both ways before crossing the street, and I think this rule is simple enough. Yes, pedestrians have the right of way. However, if you want to stay alive, you better be alert!

 

[rgf207]

I'm sorry, but your statement above really bothers and hurts me.

I did hit two pedestrians 7 years ago. They were crossing the street (where there was no crosswalk, so they were jaywalking) in front of my car. I had a green light and I had the right of way. I didn't even know they were there until it was too late. When everything was over, I was not found at fault and there were nearly cited for crossing at a non-pedestrian crosswalk. There was a lawsuit and they did get a lot of money (personally, they were at fault, not me and didn't deserve money).

Calling somebody stupid for hitting a pedestrian is a horrible and hurtful comment. I never asked for that to happen to me. I have suffered from PTSD since it - flashbacks to the accidents while driving and even just sitting at home watching TV, insomnia, anxiety attacks and the list goes on and on. My emotional wounds will never heal...they get better over time, but they will never go away.

I didn't wake up that morning thinking that I was going to go out and hit two people. I had never (and still haven't) had an accident or even gotten a ticket in my driving career. So no, not everybody who hits pedestrians are stupid. Most people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I sure hope that they did not get a lot of money from you. That is wrong on so many levels if they can sue you when you were not at fault.

 

[teacups]

Exactly. I don't expect speeding cars in front of the freakin grocery store!! If you are stupid enough to hit someone, your pocket is going to be hurting due to the lawsuit and the insurance premiums going through the roof!!!

IMO, there is no excuse to even NEARLY hit somone in a parking lot unless it is a child that darted out (god forbid).

I love people who make up parts of the story for themselves
Cars are going about 2 miles per hour... but the people should still look, or nod, or at least teach their kids not to dart out I dont care how slow the cars are going.
Nobody EVER said the cars are speeding.
Maybe those people who dont look also dont read?

 

[taximomfor4]

I agree that pedestrians should look to make sure you are stopping, before pushing their carts across, but I don't see why they should be Thanking the driver. The driver is doing what they are supposed to, not doing the pedestrian a favor.

This is for that area right in front of the grocery store doors, specifically...every grocery store I've ever seen had this area as a pedestrian crossing zone (meaning cars have to yield to pedestrians).

 

[teacups]

Am I the only one who puts a quick hand up in thanks for drivers when I am walking in front of them? Why is it wrong to be courteous these days? Do I OWE them a thank you? No. But why is it so worng? I dont get it. I teach my kids to stop, look and when a car stops raise a quick hand while you hurry across.

 

[taximomfor4]

Am I the only one who puts a quick hand up in thanks for drivers when I am walking in front of them? Why is it wrong to be courteous these days? Do I OWE them a thank you? No. But why is it so worng? I dont get it. I teach my kids to stop, look and when a car stops raise a quick hand while you hurry across.

No you're not the only one. I just don't see any reason to be upset if a pedestrian pushing a cart looks to see that I stopped, then rapidly walks their cart across. A thank you wave is not necessary, and I don't find the lack of a wave discourteous (unless I am stopping to let them cross in front of me, when NOT in a pedestrian crossing zone).

As a matter of fact, I'd rather they have both hands on the cart, ready to cross, so I can continue driving.

 

[Northstar]

This happen to me when I was a Senior in HS. I was coming home on a rainy day and an elderly woman stepped out directly into my lane from in front of a stopped car that was waiting to turn. (She was in a crosswalk) I did everything I could to aviod hitting her, and luckily, I did. I had to break as hard as I could (but w/ the roads being wet, I didn't want to slam on my breaks and slide) and swerve off the road. I didn't hit her, but she did fall. There happened to be a policeman sitting in the lane going in the opposite direction who saw the whole thing. He came over and calmed me down and said I had done everything I possibly could have to miss hitting her and that I wasn't speeding or anything. The lady said that her driving instructor told her if she was in the crosswalk, people had to stop for her. That may be true, but not when you step out directly into their path!!!

Here in Halifax, Nova Scotia, you would have been cited for passing a car stopped at a crosswalk. Yep, it's the law... you're not allowed to assume there isn't a pedestrian in the crosswalk if you can't see round a car stopped to turn.

Pedestrians here don't even break stride while hurling themselves into the street or parking lot! And cars will slam on the brakes if they even suspect a pedestrian is thinking of entering the crosswalk. It's the most pedestrian-friendly city I've ever encountered. But the laws of physics aren't suspended... every year, people get killed in crosswalks because they assumed drivers would and could stop in time.

 

[Rebelmom67]

I'm sorry, but your statement above really bothers and hurts me.

I did hit two pedestrians 7 years ago. They were crossing the street (where there was no crosswalk, so they were jaywalking) in front of my car. I had a green light and I had the right of way. I didn't even know they were there until it was too late. When everything was over, I was not found at fault and there were nearly cited for crossing at a non-pedestrian crosswalk. There was a lawsuit and they did get a lot of money (personally, they were at fault, not me and didn't deserve money).

Calling somebody stupid for hitting a pedestrian is a horrible and hurtful comment. I never asked for that to happen to me. I have suffered from PTSD since it - flashbacks to the accidents while driving and even just sitting at home watching TV, insomnia, anxiety attacks and the list goes on and on. My emotional wounds will never heal...they get better over time, but they will never go away.

I didn't wake up that morning thinking that I was going to go out and hit two people. I had never (and still haven't) had an accident or even gotten a ticket in my driving career. So no, not everybody who hits pedestrians are stupid. Most people are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I would HOPE you could see the difference between my post (talking about speeders in a PARKING LOT) and your post (hitting two JAYWALKERS on the street where cars are expected to be going much faster).

I didn't think it was necessary to put a disclaimer in my post for the use of the word "you". Most people get when "you" is used in a discussion, it is used in general terms and not naming a specific person, personally.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

Am I the only one who puts a quick hand up in thanks for drivers when I am walking in front of them? Why is it wrong to be courteous these days? Do I OWE them a thank you? No. But why is it so worng? I dont get it. I teach my kids to stop, look and when a car stops raise a quick hand while you hurry across.

I always thank drivers who let me cross...it was the way my parent's raised me.

I would HOPE you could see the difference between my post (talking about speeders in a PARKING LOT) and your post (hitting two JAYWALKERS on the street where cars are expected to be going much faster).

I didn't think it was necessary to put a disclaimer in my post for the use of the word "you". Most people get when "you" is used in a discussion, it is used in general terms and not naming a specific person, personally.

I understand that you didn't mean 'me' in particular, but it is hurtful to see anybody saying that somebody was stupid for hitting a pedestrian. Regardless if it happens in a parking lot or on the street, both parties will suffer.

I am overly sensitive to anything that has to do with drivers vs. pedestrians. I wasn't like that before my accident, I always thought that it could never happen to me because I was a good and safe driver...well it did.

I guess if you've never been in the situation that I'm in you wouldn't totally understand. Last night when I was watching ER, there was an older guy (this is in the show, btw) stumbling through the ambulance loading dock and I nearly covered my eyes because I thought for sure he was going to get hit by an ambulance. Whenever I see anything like that on tv, I freak out. City driving, forget about it, I'm too worried about people running out in front of my car. I stay out of the city as much as possible.

What bothers me the most is that people see the driver's as the big mean, bad guys for hitting the poor pedestrian. However, it's not always the driver's fault.

 

[teacups]

I always thank drivers who let me cross...it was the way my parent's raised me.

I wish more poeple would raise their kids that way instead of only thanking someone when it's absolutely required.

 

[taximomfor4]

I wish more poeple would raise their kids that way instead of only thanking someone when it's absolutely required.

That's not what I said at all. I just said it's not discourteous to not wave "Thanks" in this situation. It might be EXTRA courteous to do so, but it's not lack of courtesy not to. I do a quick wave, too, even though I was NOT raised to do so. Unless my cart is too heavy, or has a possessed wheel, or is otherwise being too difficult to control in slush or snow. But when I am in the car, I am not offended when I stop to let pedestrians cross, and they don't wave thanks.

 

[teacups]

That's not what I said at all. I just said it's not discourteous to not wave "Thanks" in this situation. It might be EXTRA courteous to do so, but it's not lack of courtesy not to. I do a quick wave, too, even though I was NOT raised to do so. Unless my cart is too heavy, or has a possessed wheel, or is otherwise being too difficult to control in slush or snow. But when I am in the car, I am not offended when I stop to let pedestrians cross, and they don't wave thanks.

Sorry. I wasnt speaking about you specifically. Please dont take it that way.

 

[dismom2]

Am I the only one who puts a quick hand up in thanks for drivers when I am walking in front of them? Why is it wrong to be courteous these days? Do I OWE them a thank you? No. But why is it so worng? I dont get it. I teach my kids to stop, look and when a car stops raise a quick hand while you hurry across.

I always give a quick wave, or if my hands are full, I tilt my head up and mouth the words 'Thank You'. When I am in my car I also tend to do the same thing---like if they stop to let me pull out of a parking lot, or something. It's how I was raised, too. And, to be honest, I do get a little disappointed, for lack of better words, if I am courteous to someone and they don't acknowledge it---not that it's a terrible thing, but it is always appreciated when someone takes a second to let you know they appreciate what you did/are doing. It's just nice when people act that way, in general. Politeness never gets old.

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree that pedestrians should look to make sure you are stopping, before pushing their carts across, but I don't see why they should be Thanking the driver. The driver is doing what they are supposed to, not doing the pedestrian a favor.

This is for that area right in front of the grocery store doors, specifically...every grocery store I've ever seen had this area as a pedestrian crossing zone (meaning cars have to yield to pedestrians).

How sad is this - our shoprite has one, and no one would stop, so they had to put in a traffic light!

 

[OK!]

Based on where I live though, many drivers also need to be mindful of the fact that they are on a parking lot, be on the lookout for pedestrians, and not drive with the same speed as if they were still on a road.

Exactly. And then, if they do bother to stop, they act like it was a giant inconvenience and peel out as soon as the pedestrian is safely across the crosswalk area.

Not that I'm saying pedestrians shouldn't have to look; I'm just saying that there are plenty of drivers just as rude as pedestrians out there.

 

[ajk912]

I definitely agree. As well as a million other courtesies when driving. Don't blow through the stop sign, don't drive with your flashers on for miles and miles unless you are driving below the speed limit, drive in the LEFT lane if you are going slow, STAY in your own lane, do NOT weave around to try to get ahead of traffic, ESPECIALLY on a motorcycle..omg, I might not EVEN see you if you come zooming up on me like that!!! USE a turn signal and PLEASE give me notice that you are about to break and turn (for those of us behind you). Don't run a stop sign, don't run a stop sign!!

This is especially bad right in front of my kids' elementary school. There isn't a lot of traffic coming from the right, so people just assume there won't be any and don't look both ways before pulling out. I see people roll through that stop sign ALL the time, even busses. I am one of those people coming from the right every morning as I drive my daughter to preschool.

 

[declansdad]

It's a parking lot! Pedestrians have the right of way. Cars should be going slow enough to safely navigate the parking lot. I get fed up with cars who race around and expect shoppers with unwieldly carts to be able to stop for the cars that zip out between the rows, or try to race along the aisle (path) in front of the store

It is the car's responsibility to yeild to the pedestrian in a parking lot.

Just because a pedistrian has the right away doesn't mean they should step right off the curb without looking or stopping.

And when you (the general you) do get out there, walk straight across; not cutting across at an angle to save yourself some time.

 

[wonderlanne]

drivers need to be careful, but pedestrians need to pay more attention. why do they always look so surprised to see cars in a parking lot?

and message to those people (and they know who they are), the parking lot isn't a conference room...get out of the way! and if you're crossing where cars need to drive, try going straight across, not at a diagonal...it takes less time. and don't stroll while talking on your cell phone and sipping your coffee...get out of the way and pay attention! and teach your kids to watch out for cars too!!!

 

[cheermom1]

drivers need to be careful, but pedestrians need to pay more attention. why do they always look so surprised to see cars in a parking lot?

and message to those people (and they know who they are), the parking lot isn't a conference room...get out of the way! and if you're crossing where cars need to drive, try going straight across, not at a diagonal...it takes less time. and don't stroll while talking on your cell phone and sipping your coffee...get out of the way and pay attention! and teach your kids to watch out for cars too!!!