AIBU for not thanking drivers for stopping at crossings?

Why did you even ask this in AIBU when you clearly think you are not?

I always give a little wave to say thanks

Whether they should or must or whatever, in reality mostly the consequences of them not doing so are almost always going to be minimal. So there's not much to stop a driver who's in a hurry or in a bad mood or whatever not letting you cross. And just... what is the possible downside of giving a small wave or a smile?

The wording in the highway code is like that for a reason. Basically, any time you read "should" in the highway code, it means "must unless it would be unsafe to do so"

So in the case of a zebra crossing. Yes, if someone steps up to the crossing, you "should" stop for them. But if they step up to the crossing when you're only a second away from it, then you'd have to slam on the brakes to stop, which would be unsafe, as you'd likely end up with the car behind you going into the back of you.

However, if there's someone already on the crossing, then you "must" stop for them. Because even if you notice them at the last second, it'll be far more unsafe for you to hit them than you slamming on the brakes and the car behind going into the back of you.

15-odd pages of (occasionally slightly heated) debate on social requirements of crossing roads. We can be proud today.

🥹🇬🇧

Then you don't know the difference between must and should and there is a difference. The whole reason these crossings operate is because drivers show awareness and judge when there is a need to stop. With pedestrian crossings, there is a build up of time in which to slow down and stop and for the sequence of lights to take effect. Seeing pedestrians walk towards crossing doesn't mean you must stop. It means you should but can use your judgement.

But not compulsory, as you stated....otherwise it would say must stop.
In reality though, it has really changed nothing compared to what it was before.

The Highway Code says they should stop which pretty much means they have to. Whilst it is must if a pedestrian is already on it pedestrians are also advised to wait until the cars have stopped. If drivers ignored the ‘should’ stop there would be no point in the crossing as no one would ever be able to use it.

Shouting at you is obviously worse so it's ridiculous of them, just ignore. I do tend to put my hand up to say thanks or nod to head in acknowledgement because I think thoseare the normal social niceties that just make the world pleasanter. I'll also say thanks if you move out of my way when you're standing somewhere you shouldn't or after you've served me in a supermarket.

How inconsiderate of you when he's doing what he's paid to do 😉. @PedestrianAbuse instead of getting irate at posters who say you are being unreasonable, why don't you take a course in etiquette. For you to still be analysing something that most people do without even thinking should be giving you food for thought. I won't hold my breath. One thing I have noticed, the minority that agree with you all have attitude problems. That says it all.

OK peach.

There is a zebra crossing about 30 meters from where I live that I use daily a few times.
I tend to check the traffic flow before I look to cross.
The other day, I quickly looked behind me to see what was coming and carried on towards the zebra crossing.
I deliberately stayed back because there was a decent gap behind the one car that was coming.
They stopped anyway, I crossed and thanked them.
I asked the driver why they stopped, and they said they had noticed my quick glimpse behind and knew I wanted to cross. I said thank you and appreciated his thoughtful consideration for pedestrians.

No, it's not.....unless already on the crossing.

I think it relies on the fact that the majority of people are in fact courteous and abide by the HC. I suspect that if the law was changed, the people who don’t stop now would continue not stopping.

Sometimes I do, have a horrible crossing on way to work, often people fail to stop, and in nearly got hit by a set of ladders flying off a work van as it screeched to a stop having just noticed me. We were all very shocked.

I do think it’s polite to thank a driver. As it appears do you.

But like many people these days, your politeness disappears online, as your posts, laughing emojis etc are pretty rude. Inconsistent courtesy from you it seems!

I have read this as well but it seems to me to be nonsensical. Is the pedestrian supposed to play a game of chicken and just walk out in front of traffic secure in the knowledge that if they are hit by a car they have the law on their side? What's the practical difference between "should" and "must" in this case?

As far as I’m aware the HC was worded that way in regards to zebra crossings before the latest changes came in. There’s still no legal requirement to stop for pedestrians waiting to cross, only if they’re already on the crossing.

This is a weird one, whilst I get annoyed when I'm driving at the expectation of thanks for another car stopping, when it's my right of way at a road junction. I do feel that a little wave of thanks at a zebra is appropriate and just polite.

But I get the rage if I let a car go in front etc and they don't acknowledge it.......

I am big “Thank you” person, to the bus driver, stranger, anyone allowing me across the road with no crossing. I rarely thank anyone on a crossing. I thought they had to stop and didn’t think to say thank you. I do walk across briskly to save them time.