Are driving Haligonians actually unable to see pedestrians moving faster than those doing the adolescent shuffle? Is this a genetic/evolutionary trait, or can they just not imagine why anyone would run anywhere if there wasn’t a cop chasing them? More to the point, why do drivers give pedestrians, runners in particular, the “sorry, you came out of nowhere” look, when they have just almost run us down then continue to block our way? Here’s a tip for y’all, even the ones not talking on their cell phone, drinking coffee, and handing treats to the kids in the back seat: it is a criminal offence to drive without stopping into or through a “safety zone”, being the lined pedestrian area marked at most four-way stop intersections (Section 131 Motor Vehicle Act). It is also a criminal offence to drive without stopping across a sidewalk, and/or fail to yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk, when exiting a driveway, alley or building (Section 136 Motor Vehicle Act). The runner is not in the wrong, asshole, you are. Open your flesh-hooded little piggy eyes and yield to the pedestrian, or be prepared to explain to your insurer how you got a size eleven, foot-shaped dent in your car door.
This article appears in Aug 14-20, 2008.
also drivers seem to have no clue that EVERY intersection has a crosswalk, from curb to curb, even when NOT MARKED.
Yes, but the pedestrian needs to assue that the driver SEES them before they take that walk of faith and get mowed over. They may be right, but what sense does that make when they are dead?
Another instance of a pedestrian that’s doesn’t realize that being in the right and being a hood ornament. I hate driving here, because I’m terrified of running over some complete retard that just steps out into traffic without looking. Guess what? Sometimes, you do just come out of nowhere. Standing at a crosswalk behind a tree and maybe some parked cars makes the odds low that you’ll be seen.To be fair, a lot of the drivers are clueless, but I still think most accidents involving pedestrians getting hit could be avoided if people would make sure that the cars see them and can stop before they cross. Assuming drivers will or could stop for you is somewhat suicidal.
Agreed, the rules are to look left, then right, then left again. In a city where EVERY corner is a crosswalk it is inconveivable for a car to stop unless there is clear indication that a crossing is being committed. Meaning you step look both ways twice and after ensuring that the traffic HAS seen you, you advance. I thought EVERYONE was taught that from since they were kids? When did we forget?
In AB the pedestrian has the right of way at a marked crosswalk. It’s assumed we learned as children to look left, right AND over your shoulder before stepping off the curb. However, I moved east and, in ON, the pedestrian has no such privilege except at those pedestrian light thingy’s and an intersection with traffic lights AND a crosswalk (sometimes you’re only allowed to cross on one side). Being a pedestrian in ON sucked. I can’t imagine being one here is any more fun especially when the cross walk light thingy’s are, oh, a mile or so apart. Bitch on!
Being a pedestrian anywhere where you don’t have impunity is fine as long as your head is an external organ from your ass. Go to England where cars have the right of way and see what happens. Pedestrians are aware of traffic, and cross either at marked crossings where they have lights, or just wait for a suitable break in traffic. Failing that, they become human hood ornaments. I would love to export half of Halifax there for a day, to put some sense into them. Regardless of the law. a car will win, so look out for your own ass first.
Pedestrians , bikers alike, unite in the stupid. You people amaze me to no extent, You ” shuffle through crosswalks, bike like a fukin skateboarder, remember no rules of the road ” If you want to be treated like a car or motorized vehicle, act like one. No clipping of the lights, yu cheaters yu, no cheating on the sidewalks. Behave like a car or Truck and I will respect you, otherwise let the odds prevail. You bunch have been warned.
OOOPS did I bitch during the non bitching hour, Im not quite sure on that Mantra of the rules, excuse me if I steppped on anyones rule toes. My bad, Im still new here, just trying to get the feeeeeel