Dangerous Pedestrians: An Essay on Walking and Driving While Staying Safe In The City
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A Dangerous Game
I live in a small city. There are quite a few dangerous intersections within our city and one of those intersections claims some kind of accident every 4 days. That's bad. What's worse? Many of the accident's that occur involve pedestrians.
Now, as a frequent driver in this city, I notice a lot of pedestrians making dangerous choices while crossing these dangerous intersections. The worst thing that I see very often is that pedestrians press the "walk" button and then walk right into traffic assuming the cars will stop.They don't wait for the walk signal.
First of all, it is very annoying, because if you are driving after sitting at the light for 6 minutes, you don't want to have to stop. And if you weren't driving, then you have to sit through 2 lights even though the pedestrian is already 2 blocks down the road.
Then you have the pedestrians that walk extremely slow at a long angle across the street to make you have to wait...and they are staring at you the whole time saying in their head, "Yea...that's right. You have to wait for me...Pedestrians have the right of way...".
Now I appreciate that my city takes precautions for pedestrians. Every bad intersection has a button pedestrians can press to wait, and soon receive a GO sign where all cars in all directions are stopped so the the pedestrian can safely cross the intersection and continue on his or her journey.
I would like to urge all drivers and pedestrians to use caution. Follow the speed limits, don't drink or text and drive. Focus on the road and don't be distracted.
Pedestrians. If you are going to push the button on the pole at the intersection, please wait for your turn to go. It's polite, eases traffic, and reduces accidents.
Let's face it; we are all going to face traffic and inconveniences while driving or walking. Let's pay attention, be courteous, and obey all traffic directions. Maybe we can reduce traffic accidents, which would save lives and also money.
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I totally agree moiragallaga! There are too many avoidable accidents if people just paid attention and were courteous. Thanks for the comment!
JSMatthew~
I feel the same way even though I don't drive... I am an extremely cautious pedestrian and sometimes I'm in position to visualize how would accidents happen while I'm waiting for the Walk signal. The only thought that comes to my mind is "are you THAT in a hurry?", because apparently that's the problem where I live: we are always in a rush, we all need to be somewhere five minutes ago so we are all worried about not being late and we don't take the time to at least look outside of our heads. I agree with moiragallaga, we could minimize accidents and the important thing is to be aware and stay alert. Great Hub :)
giselenmendez thanks for commenting! It amazes me how poorly people pay attention while walking. You are right; everyone is always in a hurry. We live in an "instantized" society and expect everything to happen immediately. We need to slow down and breathe! Let's all pay attention, shall we?
JSMatthew~
I agree with that statement^^ Just look how at how instant information is. At the click of our mouse, we have instant news coverage on various websites.
Nowadays it's always about the right now. So I see your point. People forgot even simple routines such as, looking both was before you cross the street, don't be chewing loudly at the dinner table, always check your mirrors while driving, gratuity services (unless your server was snotty), and boy do I hate texting. There should be an etiquette class just for that. Great Hub by the way sir!
So very true Kyle Rivers. We have become a "microwave" nation/world! Everything right away. I just try to take my time and watch out for all the people who don't watch out for themselves. Texting and driving is illegal in my state but I see it all the time! Thanks for the comment!
JSMatthew~
If I could vote up twice, I would! We have the same problem in my town, and while I follow the rules when I am a pedestrian (and teaching my kids to wait for the "little man"), I have seen many who just think the entire road is a sidewalk... and then the driver is always seen as the bad guy in the community even though the pedestrian was jaywalking...
Isn't it ridiculous how entitled the people walking feel? Yesterday near my house, the cops were doing a "Cross Walk" check where they had a cop hiding a bit and a "pedestrian" would walk into the crosswalk and they were giving tickets to those who didn't stop. The guy literally was walking out in front of moving cars! Don't you think that adds to the problem? Yes, we need to stop for pedestrians but they need to know when the right time to cross is. Both drivers and pedestrians need to pay attention, be respectful, and smarten up! Kudos to you for teaching your children safety. Thanks for the comment!
JSMatthew~
A very useful hub. Voted up and interesting.
I don't drive but as a pedestrian, I don't take the attitude that I have the right away. Better to be safe than sorry.
I wish others thought like you Sueswan; there would be a lot less accidents if they did! Thanks for stopping by and voting! I appreciate it.
JSMatthew~
Every day more wheels are add to the already cramped streets in my city. I can so much relate this article to the wild traffic in my country.
Thanks for stopping by Vinaya! I watched a show "Ice Road Truckers: Most Deadliest Roads" and was freaked out by how dangerous some roads are all over the world. Usually, you can just pay your way out of a ticket in a lot of places. Very scary! Thanks for your input my friend!
JSMatthew~
Very true. Courtesy doesnt kill, does it? very interesting hub
Thanks Jyoti! I appreciate you stopping by!
JSMatthew~
This is a good topic to highlight for both pedestrians and drivers. I once saw someone on a cell phone walk into a Cadillac that was making a legal left turn in a 4 lane intersection. The Cadillac saw the person and slowed down, but the pedestrian walked right into their front right headlight hard enough to fall over the hood, but was able to get back off. The poor driver had to go ahead in the turn and pull off to the side of the road (and probably change clothes). The pedestrian walked away unscathed--a mercy before my eyes!
Your hub reminds me of cyclists who don't pay attention. I often wonder what they think is going to happen to them. I recently read a hub by an Aussie truck driver on the topic--amazing what he has experienced. He is trying to highlight the need for cyclists to be careful, follow the rules of common sense, courtesy, and the law.
Hello Rtalloni! It amazes me how some pedestrians assume that cars can see them and that they will stop. Your Cadillac story is horrible yet not surprising. Recently in my city they have been doing Pedestrian Sting Ops. What they do is have a police officer "hide" nearby while decoys attempt to cross the street on a cross walk. If people don't yield to the pedestrian they are stopped and cited. This happened to my wife on Friday! Luckily, she only got a written warning! In short, we all need to share the road regardless whether on bike, foot, or motor vehicle. Thanks for your comment!
JSMatthew~
We certainly have the same issues in our city, I think its a universal problem all cities experience. Cyclists are another story as well. But to be fair to all, we also have our share of bad drivers, so where do you start? Great article, very interesting.
Hello carcro! Based on my feedback in these comments, it seems like it is the same no matter where on this earth you live! It really is a shame because most accidents can be avoided. My city doesn't have many cyclists for some reason, mostly kids. They do tend to weave in and out of traffic though. Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
nice and useful hub Matthew.
It is ALL about the paying attention, being courteous and obeying traffic rules. Those seem to be things that so many people have forgotten in this day and age.
I totally agree wickdkimber1! Now if people would just pay attention! I don't think it is going to get better. Accidents are on the rise. I appreciate your input. Thanks for stopping by.
JSMatthew~
A very thoughtful hub...I really liked it...I really appreciate you cos you took the step and wrote a hub on a very lively topic...I enjoyed reading your hub, very informative too...Now I too would take cautions...
Abhishek Nath
I am happy that you liked this Hub Abhishek Nath! I appreciate you reading and leaving a comment!
JSMatthew~
I have to agree that both drivers and walkers need to watch out for each other.
One thing I've noticed about walkers is that not only do they not watch for cars but they do not use the crosswalks. I have seen many who cross in the middle of the street when just 50 steps away is the corner or a crosswalk. Not only is this dangerous but, in my state at least, is illegal.
I've also noticed that some drivers, when stopping at a traffic light, will stop so that they are blocking the crosswalk (which in my state at least is illegal). Then you have the drivers who don't know what the color Red means and continue on through the traffic light or stop sign.
In my town we also have to watch out for the kids riding bikes. The rules for riding bikes is no longer being taught by the schools, nor it seems by many parents. The kids DO NOT watch for cars or walkers. It's as if they expect everyone else to watch for them.
You have made some very good points ladyauthor47! Everyone sharing the road should obey the laws and be aware and respectful of others. The laws you mentioned are the same where I live. I wish police would actually hand out tickets to educate pedestrians when they don't obey the traffic laws. There would be less accidents if the laws were actually enforced. I couldn't agree more with your comment! Thanks for stopping by!
JSMatthew~
moiragallaga Level 6 Commenter 10 months ago
Nice and useful hub J.S. Matthew. I believe it all boils down to common courtesy. If we're courteous enough to each other, whether as pedestrians or drivers, I'm sure we could minimize accidents like you stated in your hub.