Comments on: When to Walk and When to Stay Put

By: Drew

Drew — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:38:59 +0000

I was waiting at the crosswalk with my dog and saw 2 cars approaching from either directions a mile down the road so i steped out and started crossing the street turning my head back and forth making eye contact with the drivers little did both cars were not paying attention and the van slammed on the breaks nearly missing me while the car on the other side slammed on there breaks causing me to have to jump on the hood. DRIVERS NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND SCAN CROSSWALKS, PEDESTRIANS WATCH OUT FOR THEESE IDIOTS.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 05:18:08 +0000

Ann – yikes! Witnessing that must have caused a skitter in your heart rate!

Mel – I’ve got a similar story. My first vehicle was a standard and I had great difficulty driving it at the beginning. I recall lurching my way through an intersection (I swear I stripped the clutch) and another driver yelling at me to get off the road. Embarrassing? Yes. An eye opener? Even more so. I spent a week practicing on hills until I got it right.

Damsel – I wonder how many accidents you have caused when drivers actually WERE noticing the 5’9″ blond in hot pink

Nick – I’m going to read between the lines on this one, and I totally get what you’re saying. 100% understood, my friend.

SD – biking to work is awesome. I used to before transferring to the K9 section, even though it added considerably to my work day hours. Now I’ve no where to put PSD Hondo, and I don’t think he’d take kindly to riding in a kids bike trailer.

Jon – well said

Gary L – I saw the same newscast. It was awful

By: Wilma

Wilma — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:06:39 +0000

I live in London (England) now, and here pedestrians KNOW that no-one is going to stop for them — EVER. I walk 15 minutes to work, and I think that I nearly get run over about once a week. Taxi drivers are the worst — they will simply take foot off gas instead of braking at intersections, so I’ve had taxis pass less than half a metre behind me. If I ever tripped, I’d end up under one.

Another time, I was already 1/3 of the way across an intersection when a car did a left (i.e. North American right) almost into me. Considering the car was at least 1 block behind me when I started across the intersection, I thought that was nuts.

It’s gotten to the point where it is actually safer to cross against my light so that I know exactly where the

By: Gary L.

Gary L. — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:52:43 +0000

Sandra, Vancouver does not have a corner on Lemmings.
I reside in a rural area, no street lights, nothing, nada. When it gets dark, it gets DARK!
The other evening I caught the 1st 4 minutes of the 6 o’clock News on Global, before heading out the door to head to work. The lead Story was “7 pedestrians hit in the Lower Mainland”.
I then proceeded out to the carport to get in my car. I heard something whiz by on the road, I barely saw it. I have very good vision.
As I drove up the road, in POURING rain, my headlights picked up a twenty something male on a bike! NO light,No reflector,NO light clothing, and NO helmut!
If I had backed out of my carport 2 minutes earlier, him and I would have had a very intimate encounter..
As I drove by him, I thought to myself, that Darwin has him on the List, it’s just a matter of time……………………..

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:55:37 +0000

I’ll never understand pedestrians that defend them not paying attention to the road and surroundings by saying that the drivers should be watching out for them. Should be doesn’t mean they are and if they aren’t and you aren’t then good chance your going to get hit. Man made laws (who has right of way) only matter after the accident. Who comes away from an accident only follows the laws of physics.

By: slamdunk

slamdunk — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:19:37 +0000

I agree with your making eye contact with drivers–I did not think of making a point of that.

Also, I have always wanted to live in a place where I could bicycle to work.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:11:49 +0000

Pedestrians in Vancouver are usually pretty good, but it depends on what are of they city you’re in and the time of day

By: Damsel Underdressed

Damsel Underdressed — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:54:54 +0000

I’ve learned to be very cautious since I run through town. I like the action, keeps my mind off of the actual physical exertion, but it is amazing how many cars will make that turn when it’s clearly marked “no turn on red.” Or how many never notice there is a pedestrian on the sidewalk when turning into a parking lot. Or how many pull up just a little further and end up blocking the crosswalk. I try to always wear bright colors so I’m visible but for some reason people still don’t see the 5’9″ blonde in hot pink running their way.

By: DC

DC — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:31:52 +0000

Making eye contact with drivers before crossing is a great rule. Many times I’ve pressed the crosswalk button, put my arm out, only to watch a driver pass through completely oblivious to both me and the flashing lights. Or another car in back will see the first car slow down and pass on the right…so much for No Passing – Here To Crossing.

While driving I’ve also seen pedestrians press the button and then immediately step out as if they’re defying traffic since they’re “in the right”. But as you say being right is small consolation in the hospital…or worse.

I actually often feel safer jaywalking and picking my spots rather than relying on driver compliance at a crosswalk.

By: Mel

Mel — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:22:06 +0000

The day I got my driver’s license, I drove to the mall on my own. First time alone in a car. I was stopped at a light, waiting to make a right turn. Right on red is legal here, but traffic was too heavy, so I had to wait for the light. While I was waiting, I noticed a pedestrian standing on the corner closest to my car. She was tall, poised, elegant – to my seventeen year old eyes, everything I wanted to be.

The light changed, and I made my turn. Right as the crosswalk light changed and pedestrian stepped out into the road, too. I heard her yell – I think I missed her by less than two feet. Maybe less than one. I still worry sometimes that I did hit her, and left the scene without even being aware of it.

That lesson stuck with me, and I’m deliberately very aware of pedestrians now. But I’m not perfect. Please, pedestrians, watch out for me! I know you have right of way, and I’m doing my level best not to hit you, but some unlucky day that may not be enough. And if you’ve ever had a close call with a youngster who didn’t think to check the crosswalk before turning – please forgive me.