We KNOW you see us, standing at the curb, at crosswalks and intersections, staring purposefully into the street. We KNOW this because when we take that one tiny, hesitant step off the curb, you almost invariably touch your brakes. Because you don’t really want to hit us. But you don’t really want to stop either. So you PRETEND not to see us, in the hope that we will not take that one tiny, hesitant step that forces you to acknowledge us. “Is she going to walk out in front of my car? Maybe not. Maybe I won’t have to stop. Crap. She stepped off the curb. I better stop, just in case.” We’re on to you. You’re not fooling anyone.
—Walking Girl
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2009.
So long as we CAN see you, then yes. Wearing black pants and a navy hoodie after sunset though isn’t quite going to cut it. Nor is hiding behind a pile of snow and then springing into action after a frozen-rainy night.
perhaps get in the habit of putting an arm out there.
Car’s have signals (even though most people don’t friggin’ use them)
“We KNOW you see us, standing at the curb, at crosswalks and intersections”
Well Walking Girl, you’re 2/3s right on that statement. I am a former pedestrian turned driver and try to show as much proper respect to people on foot as I can. Problem is, you only have the right to cross at intersections and (un)marked crosswalks. You DO NOT have any right whatsoever to cross at any old curb. I understand (believe me I do) that you need to get to where you’re going in a timely fashion, but you need to realize that average driver is an inconsiderate asshole. If you are standing at a crosswalk and some asshole is obviously going to blow right through while you are about to cross, give him the ol’ fake-out. Trust me, he may not stop for you, but I garuntee they will stop for the next crosser.
Yup, there are piles of snow and people wearing dark clothes out there. Driving is a hard, so maybe at night and after lots of snow, it would be a good idea to slow down a lot and really look around for people.
I got the impression that they were referring to crossing at a crosswalk, or else why the sense of entitlement. I could be wrong though.
Unlike some 😉
One good thing about the much maligned Metro Transit, is at least they consistently stop for me in marked crosswalks, if there’s time. I can’t say the same for other motorists. Although I find at least 75% of them will stop if they see me in time.
Actually, Never Wrong, I did mean the curb at a crosswalk, or the curb at an intersection, rather than just any old random curb. I didn’t realize that wasn’t clear. Thanks for pointing it out.
Of course, all the comments about dark clothes at night are true. But I routinely stand at a certain clearly marked crosswalk, in broad daylight, in plain view, and watch car after car whiz past, drivers staring resolutely straight ahead, refusing to see me. It’s frustrating.
I love the people who see me at a crosswalk, after I have pressed the button to activate the lights. I start walking when the guy in the lane closest to me stops. The dude in the other lane doesn’t – looks at me and puts his hand up. Women do it too. I then promptly stick my middle finger up and mouth ‘cunt’.
People in this city are terrible drivers. There. I’ve said it. This is usually because people in this city are usually either speeding, or just plain not paying attention, or here’s the big one (especially with old folks who think it’s okay to drive a big truck) they don’t give a fuck. I’ve been guilty of some of these charges, but I learned from them. Most people don’t. They blow through crosswalks while the warning lights are going (in fact people speed up), turn right at a red without looking for pedestrians… I could go on and on. Sure, the pedestrian has a responsibility as well and most of them do take responsibility, and look both ways, etc. That does not change the fact that the way we treat pedestrians in this city is absolutely atrocious and it shows. I’d feel safer in the middle of St. Catherine’s street in Montreal wearing all black, than I do in a crosswalk in this city.
In my comment when I referred to dark clothing I was saying that cars should slow down because there is always going to be a time when a kid dressed in black or a old person who can’t see is walking around. Cars should always be prepared to stop in a city! You are driving a big machine in an unpredictable place.
I find it really bad in places where there is a main road, and then a street that comes off in one direction, but it isn’t a full intersection. I stand across from Church street on Morris all the time waiting to cross, and have car after car in both directions just speed past. No one ever stops, I just have to wait for a passable time and hope I can make it. It is still an unmarked crosswalk people, and you’re just headed for a busy 4 way stop anyway!
There are those people walking with their ipod on on the phone and not paying attention to what is going on around them and figure that everyone should see them. And there are drivers that are just as distracted! But the truth is you have to be defensive if you are walking driving etc… Everyone makes mistakes and some people don’t even click into to what they did or almost caused. Best advice is to be defensive all the time you never know what the other guy is going to do.
have almost been run over three times on cross walks and have only been saved by my hesitation in trying to figure out if the car hurtling towards me has actually seen me or not. The fact is if its a cross walk why the bloody hell hasn’t the driver slowed down to even check if there is a pedestrian. One time was right in broad daylight at a busy intersection and buddy decided he just couldn’t wait for me to get out the way so he sped around me at serious speed and i only avoided getting hit because I stopped. Yes i stopped on a cross walk for a car and HE BEEPED at ME like i was in the wrong. Yes he did get a finger and a shout of WTF.
I used to drive so i know its hard to see people but it sucks to have to take your life in your hands when you are supposed to have right of way.
I think we’ve all nearly been bumper-fodder at one time or another (and even perhaps lately…)
but personally,it makes me more of a defensive pedestrian than want to change my driving habits.
‘Course, I don’t drive like Death Race… but then again, I also don’t crawl along like geriatric electricmayhem either.