A note to all you joggers/runners/dog walkers out there; get off the fucking road and onto the sidewalk where you belong! Now, I’ll admit, not all of you are bad, but there have been many many of you fuckers in the middle of the goddamned road as I’m driving down it and you’re too full of yourselves to get out of the way. The sidewalks are there for a reason. Your feet are not vehicles. I tell you what, I’m against cruilty towards any animal or human but if I end up running one of you fuckers down with my car I highly doubt that I’ll feel bad. I’ll stop and have the deceincy to call an ambulance. Hell, I’ll probably even stay with you, but I will not feel one little bit of remose for your own stupidity. That goes for you idiots that think your own the invisable crosswalks. Yes, pedestrians have the right away but only at an intersection if there aren’t any cars moving through it when you get there. Otherwise you’re either jaywalking, or attempting suicide.
—jogger hater
This article appears in Feb 19-25, 2009.
I understand your frustration. However, the MVA states that where sidewalks are provided, it is illegal for pedestrians to walk in the roadway. By extension, if sidewalks are NOT provided, or are impassable, pedestrians have a right to walk on the road. Many sidewalks have been impassable for the last several weeks. So motorists must accept the fact that those folks walking in the road do in fact have a right to be there, and adjust their driving habits accordingly.
This is frustrating for both motorist and pedestrian alike. Same old story though: when the weather goes to shit, and pedestrians populate the road, it’s the driver’s responsibility primarily to be aware of the conditions. Pedestrians need to be cautious as well, as the MVA doesn’t absolve people of common sense. If the roads are that bad, don’t take your bleedin dog out on the street like that.
The yahoo “running clubs” that travel in packs down the middle of my street in the middle of July with their skinny legs clad in Spandex deserve to be introduced to the grill of a Peterbilt.
Well I think this is hilarious. What is one to do, when they have a non-existant income, cannot afford even a car – let alone the gym, and can’t run on the sidewalks because of the shitty condition of them. We fucking run on the road, so fuck you. I’m not some health obsessed person, I’m just trying to lose weight and feel good about my body to increase the amount of ass I am getting. That’s pretty fucking important. And you know what pisses me off – lazy fuckers in thier cars that have to drive everywhere. You are polluting the air I breathe, your loud and obnoxious. I hate how some people who drive think that the world revolves around them. We all have places to go, and lives to live so try being a little tolerant – I am of you every day.
—driver hater
Relax Jogger Hater,
if u weren’t in such a hurry to get to where you are going, u might not be so bothered by joggers (who are people caring for their bodies; maintaining personal health benefits the whole planet) Often the sidewalks are not shoveled and are therefore, are icey and dangerous. Not everyone can afford a car; nor do they support you driving yours and polluting the air which every living creature needs in order to survive(speaking of selfishness a.k.a. ego trip)Maybe u could jog or bike to work 1x/wk. It will help shed those xtra pounds; breathing deeply is a good way to relax and release anger & frustration without affecting others negatively. The planet is big. Learn to Share. Nameste
PS ya it is Ironically Hilarious
Driving a car does not give you command of the road way. Driving is a privilege that a driver must earn by passing a drivers test. Our roads are governed by Laws and bylaws regarding road use right of way. The fact that you are in a two thousand pound machine does not make you the dominant force on the road that must be yielded to. In fact, because you are operating a heavy and fast machine, you must yield to those who cannot get out of the way.
Joggers on the road; are often on the road because there is no side walk. I assure you they are not there to piss you off. Occasionally you may be forced to share the road with a jogger, bicycle or an old lady who is crossing the street.
I suggest you travel a bit more and see the situations on the road ways in Africa, Europe or Asia. You might come home with a better appreciation for the car friendly roads here in Canada.
TOO ALL stupid people,
If the road is meant for all it would be OK, for th the prego with a stroller to walk down the middle. Now I Am into being fit and keeping by body in good working order but there are tons of ther places to run! There are several spots/communities that have jogging trails just for us. If you can’t aford the bus fair to go running somewhere else and you are too outta shape there are several differnt ways to get into shape that don’t include littering the streets like assholes on a mission ( http://www.crossfit.com ). I agree sometimes it is not poosible and therefore nessarcary to run on the roads, then run on the roads, but be weary of asshole drivers and be polite while doing so like against traffic so you can see the cars coming. Check it out
I would love to see road rules go back to , the biggest guy has the most rights. So the bigger you are the more right you have to be there.
Seeing that even a ‘smart car’ is bigger than a jogger…they’ll never have the right to run down the middle of the lane on a Street.
While I see your point OP, I ask: have you SEEN the state of the sidewalks in HRM in the winter? You can’t walk on them let alone jog. There’s probably less risk of injury running on the road than the sidewalk at this point. heh.
“Pedestrians have the right away but only at an intersection if there aren’t any cars moving through it when you get there.” And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost been run over by some idiot driver not paying attention enough to slow down when they get to the crosswalk and see someone there! It’s like someone using a crosswalk when a driver’s trying to get somewhere is utterly rude and out of place in the world.
I’ve seen an old lady almost get hit at the Spring Garden intersection by Victoria Park because they couldn’t cross in the few seconds the walk light was on and because some self-absorbed driver didn’t take the time to look before speeding off to some incredibly important destination. It’s pathetic, and arrogant.
I’m sort of with the OP on this one. In the summer, you will see the idiots that run on the road instead of the sidewalk. Not only that, but they don’t run facing oncoming traffic, they run with their backs to traffic. Do these people not realize how dangerous that is?
I’ve also heard some people say that the asphalt is softer on your knees than the concrete of the sidewalk. Well, how about this idea: run on the grassy area along the sidewalk! Grass is a lot softer than asphalt, so there should be no excuse for running on the road when there are sidewalks present.
That and the walkers on the sidewalks apparently slow the runners down. I’ve almost been trampled by some self important runner/jogger in their ugly ass speedo pants that show a BIT too much “package” many a time while out and about in the summer.
Like the assholes who bike on the sidewalks, I have this almost uncontrollable urge to trip the mother fuckers when they get huffy and puffy because there are *gasp* people who dare to WALK on the sidewalks. OH NOES!