| Author |
Message |
    
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1114
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 12:15 am: | 
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I tried to cross Springfield Avenue last evening at about 7:30, and lo, as I steped from the curb, the next car approaching stopped, and waved me on.
To the person in the gold/bronze Honda, I doff my cap.
Thank you for doing it right.
(I guess my karma is catching up with me).
TomR |
spw784
Supporter
Username: Spw784
Post Number: 900
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 7:16 am: |
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That's great. However, some witnesses say that may have been the scenario with the 2 kids killed by a hit and run driver in Roselle last week. Someone stopped and waved them across, but someone else didn't stop.
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mjh
Supporter
Username: Mjh
Post Number: 555
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 7:47 am: |
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"Someone stopped and waved them across, but someone else didn't stop."
That happened to me, and I've since never lost a certain amount of fear when I stop for pedestrians. I stopped for a woman pushing a stroller, and the arsehole behind me went around me very quickly...and missed her by about an inch. But he saved himself about 15 seconds, so I'm sure it was worth it. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11618
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:18 am: |
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There used to be a question covering this on the New York State driving test. Basically, if you stop and signal for a pedestrian to cross you are responsible for their safety until they reach the other side.
I am always amazed at the number of people who just march out into the street in Maplewood Village, some in the crosswalk and some not, expecting to be seen and for traffic to stop for them. There is an old saying about being "dead" right.
Look, I am happy to stop and do it all the time. However, people who step out into traffic when a car is ten feet from them or when a car is making a turn are a disaster waiting to happen. Be careful is all I ask. |
C Bataille
Citizen
Username: Nakaille
Post Number: 2632
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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I agree with Bob on all counts. Also frustrating are pedestrians who walk against the traffic signal they're standing under. Many never bother to look at the signal at all, instead carrying on intense conversations with friends or on cellphones. Some seem to believe that their pedestrian status supercedes all other rules of the road (and common sense!)
What I tell my kid and the kids I work with is to think about how much they weigh and how much a car weighs. In an accident who would win? They talk about being in the right and that they could sue. I say, "If you're dead, who cares?" |
TomD
Citizen
Username: Tomd
Post Number: 449
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:50 am: |
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It can be dangerous. When I was in high school I was crosing the street (not on the corner, but this wasn't exactly a highway) and a car stopped to let me cross. The car coming behind him, however, went around him (on the right) and...skreetch...thump. Me on the hood and me on the hood and then me on the pavement.
Now, even if someone waves me across, if I see other cars still coming up behind, I wave the car to keep on going. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14440
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 8:52 am: |
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Pedestrians who jump into the crosswalk after it's too late for a car to make a reasonable stop are far rarer than motorists who stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. The law says if someone needs to cross, you should stop your car. It does not say you may stop your car if you choose. Driver behavior makes me believe that people think the law says the latter.
It's a bad situation where TomR thinks it's momentous when someone obeyed the law for a change.
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Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4496
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
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This week near the overpass just passed the middle school a stream of cars did not stop for me waiting in the crosswalk. They just sped though.
I also find that fairly often (too often), in town, drivers do not stop for us in the crosswalk. Several weeks ago on a Friday night a woman we know, a mom, saw us in the crosswalk and sped through. It leads me to believe too many people are unaware of the laws. I always wait if a car is coming to see if it lets us pass. The scarier part is when you're already walking and these morons drive around you. |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1116
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:37 pm: |
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Not at all momentous.
Some people feel the need to complain; I felt like posting a positive experience.
That's all.
Unlike the unfortunate accident in Roselle, I was in the crosswalk.
TomR |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1710
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 1:41 pm: |
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I have noticed that when I wave people on to cross the street, while I'm driving, that they wave back and insist that I go ahead. I find this really odd and it happens A LOT! And, it's never a situation where there's the danger of another car not yielding to them in another lane. I know this isn't really something to be terribly annoyed about, but I'm trying to do the right thing and then they just lob it back at me... I know they're just being nice, but I find it annoying because it seems to happen more often than not. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4497
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 2:10 pm: |
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Tom R, not necessarily complaining, maybe venting, but most importantly reminding people to be aware.
Like you, I am pleasantly surprised when people do stop, but it's not something we should take for granted. |
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