file photo by Boyd Loving
Unintended consequence of the “pedestrian has right of way” laws is pedestrians feeling invulnerable. They are not. Sometimes well-meaning drivers simply don’t see them. Cars are easier for pedestrians to see than the reverse. Solution? Repeal these pedestrian laws and give cars right of way. Then pedestrians can cross when it’s clear (or when a driver allows them to). As long as they do they won’t get hit. If they don’t then it’s their fault.
Death Race 2000, here we come!
I work in downtown Ridgewood and cross Ridgewood Ave several times a day. Here is my advice: Never ever assume that anyone will stop for you and give the same advice to your children. Drivers are distracted, on the phone, texting, looking for parking and generally not paying attention. That means that you have to look out for them. And also, don’t be one of the dopey pedestrians who is talking on your cell phone or texting while you are trying to cross the street. If you are struck by a car you will lose and be n the back of the ambulance.
If vehicles have the legal right of way, then wht have a pedestrian crossing? The crossing would have no possible purpose. I understand the point that the article writer is trying to make, but thus comes down to defining the legal purpose if the crosswalk.
854 – the crossing is the place where you cross while deferring to vehicles or NOT JAYWALKING. They do it all over the country. Pretty simple stuff.
There really are only two soluy. Remove all pedestrian crossings or put traffic lights at all of them.
This is wishful thinking by someone who clearly drives more than they walk. Both cars and pedestrians have a me-first attitude, so let’s just all follow the law and stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.
I find in Ridgewood a majority of people do not use a crosswalk they just step out from between packed cars children in tow and hope you stop. In the central business area there is complete lack of police enforcement of motor vehicle laws and nothing is ever done about dumb pedestrians stepping out where ever they wish.
This is a stupid post. Of course pedestrians should have the right of way. The consequences of a car failing to yield are enormous. Just because a few pedestrians fail to use caution doesn’t mean all pedestrians should now be at risk.
If pedestrians are legally required to defer to cars, then why even have crosswalks? Having them would be pointless.
The writer of this article reminds me of instances when I have to respond to some suggestion my kid has said. I typically say in response, “Have you fully thought this through?”. Quite often, my kid’s suggestion sounds well intentioned, but I can tell that he hasn’t fully thought through the entire concept of what he has said. I think my kid might have wrote this article.
I don’t have a problem yielding to a pedestrian in the cross walk, but the problem is with those who don’t even break stride to check for oncoming vehicles; those who don’t make sure the vehicle sees him/her; and those who don’t permit the vehicle room to stop.
I’m not comfortable crossing the street even within a crosswalk unless I have first made eye contact with the driver. Yes, it takes me a while to get to the other side….
I also have no problem letting a pedestrian cross in the crosswalk and will always yield to them. As for jaywalking – good luck. It is nerve wracking enough just driving thru town trying to get from one end to the other without hitting anything!. Watching for the transit bus, runners, jaywalkers, cell phone users, double parkers, sun glare and other cars not paying attention…..to name a few distractions
Too many pedestrians are on their cell phones or concentrating on their music and never even attempt to stop or look before entering a crosswalk. This often requires a car to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting them while hoping that their car does not get real ended at the same time.
The second major problem that I find is that I do stop to let the pedestrian cross–but the car behind me does not and goes around me. This turns the pedestrian into a target. If a car is stopped without a signal, it usually means a pedestrian.
Thirdly, the tall plants at the corners are lovely, but after dark they could easily be a person, or vice versa.