Just read in this week’s Coast that HRM’s intention with the new jaywalking fine of ca. $700 is “to level the playing field.” Are you kidding me? There’s a HUGE power imbalance between wealthier car owners and pedestrians, in favour of those wielding automobiles. This disgusting fine punishes health-conscious, non-polluting, can’t-afford-to-own-a-car nondrivers, and is obviously created by people who don’t actually walk. As a lifelong nondriver, I jaywalk where I do because it is traffic-free in both directions and therefore safer. I find 4-way-stop intersections ambiguous (whose turn is it?) and terrifying, full of bad-tempered, impatient commuters. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve nearly been killed in 4-way-top intersections. Jaywalking is safer!! It shouldn’t be, but the fact is–it IS safer. —Cites are for people, not cars
This article appears in Jan 7-13, 2016.
Wow, a bitch I agree with!
Pretty much. Our yokel constituents do not share your view, unfortunately.
I am just an average haligoonian.
I own a vehicle but I am not “wielding automobiles” so I can’t speak for this elite crowd that OP is talking about.
Furthermore, I personally know that I’m not on the better side of a “HUGE power imbalance”.
OP, where do you get off implying that only non-drivers are “health-conscious, non-polluting” commuters… that others “don’t actually walk”?
Exaggerate much, OP?
OP might (I just made up this word by accident but it’s awesome) EXAGGERAGE a bit but I agree with some of their points.I’ve stated before on here that I always look both ways and wait for traffic to stop as I was taught in preschool. I even make eye contact before crossing and give a friendly wave. That said, I cross dutch village and joe howe twice a day and am almost hit at LEAST once a week. This past week, twice in one day minutes apart from each other.
While approaching a 4-way stop, a car that wasn’t even at the stop when I entered it, sped up and swerved around me to avoid waiting 3 seconds. A few blocks away the EXACT SAME THING happened again with a different vehicle, who was in such a rush to cut me off (and endanger my fucking life) that they almost hit another car that was waiting at the stop facing me. I wish they had hit them so I would have had an excuse to be late for work.
No doubt there are pedestrians who have their head up their asses when they are crossing the street (cellphones, etc) but drivers in this city are literally the worst.
Batons. Telescoping batons with a diamond, barbed tip. You have it at the ready and aim for the rear window.
If you’re a cyclist, a pocket full of roofing nails. Car creeping behind you? Car cut you off only for you to catch up at the light? Sprinkle, sprinkle.
And no, vengeance is MINE.
lousy bitch I jaywalk but its not a good idea and not something to be encouraged, I also stop for jaywalkers, also stupid but w.e You people hate cars, Drivers don’t care were too busy not going to the Dome or out for supper, We don’t have 400 dollar personal grocery budgets either Most of us still use a iPhone 5 and a Macbook from 2010, Hmm a girl I work with has a 700 dollar iPhone 6 and refuses to shop second hand, Maybe thats why she takes the bus while I take my second hand Infiniti to work everyday, I make lots of sacrifices in order to afford my car, Would love a shiny new Macbook Pro and a iPhone six and maybe a trip to Cuba every year like my friends do but I spend it on gas and maintenance, Gotta say those warm leather seats and ice cold Air conditioning beat the bus any day…. So what if I can’t go to Mexico for a week, Every -15 day I remember why I make the sacrifices I do, I emphasize with people who truly can’t afford a vehicle and wish they could, Its heart breaking seeing the guys out in the snow staring at my car, I know their car lovers and going through hard times… I was that guy for five long years of hell…. Saved up my money bought everything I own second hand and I have a roomate and a full time job that pays shit…. and I manage just fine.
The lawmakers aren’t criminalizing anyone, people criminalize themselves by not following the laws. Stop with the “war on the poor” bullshit, you were warned about the consequences and now it’s your choice whether or not you get fined, no one else’s.
I don’t like the fine increase but you should look up what the fine it for. Your description of Jaywalking is not what gets you fined.
As a non-pedestrian, and complete narcissist, I find it impossible to sympathize with anyone other than myself.
Just sayin’.
“wealthier car owners” LOL! yeah.. because me having to shell out an extra 250 a month plus gas, makes me much wealthier than you, if anything I probably have less money than you! Nice try though .. secondly if you read the article this is what it stated
“The Ecology Action Centre is questioning the fairness of proposed changes to the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act that will increase some fines for
***collisions involving pedestrians***
Under the proposed amendments pedestrians could be slapped with a $697.50 fine if they don’t press crosswalk buttons or jaywalk. Drivers who don’t follow the rules also face the same fine.”
——
This is not for just Jay walking, it’s for being at fault for ***causing an acciedent***
this is if the said pedestrian was found to be guilty of causing the accident BECAUSE they didn’t press the button or they Jay walked.
Now can you honestly tell me that it’s not fair that we ALL take responsibility for our actions, ie- not following the rules of the road?!
My god, get your entitled head out of your ass