Saturday 11 February 2012

West London Pedestrians

There seems to be a breed of pedestrians in West London who believe they have the absolute gods-given right to walk across any road without checking if there is traffic coming.

They walk across the road without looking at any point. They CERTAINLY don't check at a zebra crossing to see if a car is approaching and has time to stop. And they look at you when they do become aware and just stroll on.  Even when you, the car driver are turning off a main thoroughfare onto a side turning and are left with your car's arse hanging out into the main road just waiting for another car to hit you!

MP3 players and mobile 'phones are FAR more important and interesting than checking the traffic and there seems to be no suggestion in their  little heads that they do not ACTUALLY have right-of-way when they step from the pavement into the road.

At night it is worse because under orange lamps, dressed head to foot in black with their face gazing down at the player or 'phone they are all but invisible.

Hellooooooo! I will try my best not to mow any of you down but cars are road-users too! Be aware! For your own sake - and my blood pressure! 





5 comments:

  1. Interesting this as technically as a driver you have to give way to pedestrians if they are already on the road. They shouldn't step out on to the road if traffic is coming but once they are in the road you have to give way (even if you car's arse is in the main road!).

    http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070108

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  2. My question, even if you have to give way, if the pedestrian is crossing outside of a stop sign/light, isn't that known as jay walking. Here in the States that's illegal. I personally think it's a good law. That way those who are consumed by their iWhatchamacallit's and what not won't be hit, and drivers don't have the death of said pedestrian on their conscious.

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  3. Hi Jason, I read that bit of the Highway Code - it appears to be almost all aimed at pedestrians - telling them NOT to do what they have been doing. I take your point but I really hope some pedestrians take mine. :)

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  4. I understand what you are saying Jason, and Kris is saying the same, but it doesn't help your nerves much when you have to stop quickly or hang your car's arse out into the main road. I know it wouldn't be your fault if someone shunted you then but that doesn't compensate for the damage, the inconvenience and the trauma.

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  5. I don't like it either but I can't see the problem going away until people are made responsible for their actions. Drivers are always assumed to be in the wrong. Not sure what could be done about it though.

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