Comments on: Coming To A Complete Stop

By: tommyboy

tommyboy — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 22:47:27 +0000

I think all cars trucks etc should have a large metal spike attached to the steering wheel…and allow vehicular darwinism cull the herd….and frig the gesticulating and yelling at drivers motorcylces should come equiped with armour piercing projectiles to which the first two kills a month are allowed..and the third and subsequent acts of retaliation must have witnessed provocation..and proper documentation… i do not want to seem unreasonable….yeah…these perhaps i need to run provincially….

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 20:50:24 +0000

In many places, in the US at least, it’s illegal to drive the speed limit in the left lane. You have to drive faster. So you’re breaking the law no matter what you do.

The great thing about this sort of situation is that it allows you to be selective about whom you arrest. Blacks and hippies, slap the cuffs on. Yuppies and white geezers, let ‘em roll.

(Aside, some cities, notably San Francisco, aggressively ticket j-walkers b/c it truly, truly fucks up downtown traffic. I wish they’d do it in Seattle; you can get stuck trying to turn right for 3 or 4 green/red cycles b/c the pedestrians keep crossing against the walk signal.)

By: rekounas

rekounas — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:05:33 +0000

In most of the world, pedestrians must yield to the traffic and not the other way around. I believe this makes sense. What ever happened to looking both ways when you cross the street? I have never seen a cop give a ticket for j-walking.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 17:04:38 +0000

It’s not a question of “fault” when the consequence is serious injury or death. (Something else I learned as a motorcycle driver.) The pedestrian lying in the hospital bed finds little comfort in knowing the driver of the car was at fault.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:24:50 +0000

Is the pedestrian at fault for assuming the driving of the car isn’t blind?

By: rekounas

rekounas — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:13:40 +0000

The pedestrians coming from the right while making a right turn bugs the hell out of me. I almost hit a woman one time cause she walked out in front of the car while I was making the right turn. Even though this would have been my fault, as a walker/jogger, you should really make eye contact with the driver. If you don’t have that eye contact don’t assume.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 15:03:12 +0000

That reminds me. I hate car horns too.

By: steve

steve — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 14:37:08 +0000

I don’t fully stop at stop signs, even on my motorcycle, if I am certain there is nothing around. I DO stop, though, if I am not 100% sure it’s clear. Four-way stops are like a green light! (Kidding!)

Turning right and not looking for pedestrians? I am occasionally reminded how important it is to look. It’s like anything… you get relaxed and lulled out of the diligence of checking EVERYTHING… That’s why more accidents occur in familiar environments, like within 5 miles from home.

I speed regularly. About 10-20 kms over the limit. However, I DO signal.

Interesting that Pender mentions that he looks for their heads to turn. That’s something I learned from riding a motorcycle. Now I do it in every situation. Walking, driving, riding, pushing a shopping cart. ALWAYS make eye contact! But, Pender… it is good motorcycle safety not to incite rage towards motorcycle riders. By yelling at them, you MAY cause an immediate or general aggression toward motorcycle traffic. You should just beep your horn, avoid the collision and ride away.

By: Pender

Pender — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 13:20:59 +0000

I also notice that many people don’t look for pedestrians when turning right on a red. They might be looking for other traffic, and I could be standing right next them ready to cross on the crosswalk, and they’re looking left for traffic, see that it’s clearn and hit the gas and THEN look right — and I’m standing there.

I don’t step off the sidewalk until they turn their damn head. While I’m standing there I’m saying very loudly “turn your damn head” looking at the driver, loud enough that they can hear me.

That reminds me of one of the main benefits to being on a motorcycle, since lots of people drive with their windows down when I scream at them for being fucking morons they actually get to hear me scream at them. They usually look around stupified with their stupid mouths hanging half open, stupidly.

I break every law, cause I consider my arms to be armies.. Laws don’t apply to you when you have an army.

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 13:08:14 +0000

Not putting on their signal. As someone who walks or bikes everywhere, I’m always looking at where someone is turning, because if they’re turning towards me, I’m squooshed. From my perspective, drivers tend not use their signals when they don’t think anyone is around — and most drivers don’t even look out for bikes. Most pedestrians don’t even look out for bikes. I could be cruising down a hill and they’ll walk right out in the middle of the street without even looking because they don’t see any cars. Completely blind to everything else.

I have a general hatred for people in cars though.