AIBU for not thanking drivers for stopping at crossings?

So this is what you say when they shout at you - thank you for following rule 195 of the highway code and not being a dick!

To be honest it’s polite to do this. I don’t understand why people think lack
of manners is Ok? So many people nowadays are rude and just don’t have basic manners of consideration. People throw rubbish, barely say please and thank you. It’s a total lack of any standards. And no, people shouldn’t yell either.

So if someone must do something then you should never thank them

@Shade17 nope. Check rule 195 of the code. It’s been updated in recent years. You MUST stop if someone is on a crossing. And you SHOULD stop if there is someone waiting to cross. And now applies to parallel crossings too for pedestrians and cyclists.

this was to reinforce the hierarchy of road users and reduce pedestrian deaths. In my area on a busy high street two people have been killed using a pedestrian crossing by drivers not paying attention and not being able to stop in time when entering the crossing.

another rule change which a lot of drivers seem unaware of is that pedestrians waiting to cross a side road that you are turning into when driving have priority and the driver should wait to let them cross.

It seems although remaining up to date with rules changes is a condition of holding a driving license, many people don’t seem to know about it.

Nope. They drive by license not right and I don’t usually thank them unless they are being extra patient, eg if I had a small child with me and it took us a bit longer to cross. They are obliged to wait and in general could do with remembering they are not doing you a favour. Drivers round my way start driving when you are still on the crossing and are frankly lucky I’m not filming them and reporting them.

in road hierarchy pedestrians are most inconvenienced- we have to take circuitous routes to find safe crossings, lights sequences are stacked in favour of minimising motorists waiting time not giving adequate time for elderly or young children to cross often. So the convenience is stacked in favour of those expending least personal energy in getting around, but also those taking up more public space to do so and often polluting our air.

I’m cyclist too and always thank drivers who hang back when I give a hand signal to turn, or who allow me priority when passing on a parked up road - eg they wait if cars are parked up on their side as you would for a car rather than proceeding and squeezing me into the door zone of the cars on my side, and I’ve thanked drivers who give me plenty of space when overtaking. They should be doing that anyway but I like to thank them for their awareness of the more vulnerable road user. And it’s rare enough that people are that courteous so I like to appreciate it. I do my part by using hand signals and pulling in when I can to allow them to pass. So it’s not like I’m against being polite and friendly. But on crossings, no need.

Yes, of course they’re different, but the principle is the same, a driver has abided by the Highway Code and stopped to let you cross.

It’s a little bit rude not to thank a driver for stopping, but not a big deal.

However, it’s very rude of a driver to shout at a pedestrian for not saying thank you!

The majority of people thank people. I personally always do, just basic manners.

At a zebra crossing though? We're not talking crossing in the middle of the road. I regularly do this and wait, often a longish time, even when drivers wave me over (dangerous)
I thank drivers every time at a zebra crossing but thats my own hang up and part of it is making eye with drivers to ensure they are stopping.

I will say, drivers aren't owed this for deigning not to kill pedestrians abd even letting them across the road.

I always make some sort of gesture of thanks. It’s free and only takes a second!
I think yabu to complain about drivers “barrelling through” if you can’t be bothered to thank those that do stop “even though they are obliged to”.
My reasoning is that the more often people say thanks therefore more people are likely to bother to stop. If no one ever bothered as a pedestrian I think I could sometimes be waiting a loooong time!

An entrenched position? Bloody hell love you're the one analysing a simple every day transaction that is meaningless if you are courteous. I drove to Tescos today and both there and back, I gave way to pedestrians either waiting to cross or whether I could be proactive in seeing they were approaching the crossing. All times the people waved their thanks. You mentioned earlier you has been ruminating over the language used in the highway code. "Nobody is forcing you" to show common decency. If you want to keep being told you're ignorant you shouldn't have a problem as you don't think you should say thank you. That's it.

Only if the pedestrian is already on the crossing.

Spot the difference between pedestrian lights and zebra crossings. Fuck me I need to hide this insane thread.

Incorrect. It's advisory to stop. It's encouraged. It is not mandatory.

YANBU.

Or should we also thank them for stopping at red lights or driving through green lights?

No it’s not. It’s compulsory to stop

Or maybe you could wave in the first place to acknowledge the fact that they are NOT obliged to stop and they are being considerate. I wonder how some of you navigate driving through advisory and mandatory zones when you don't know the difference. Pedestrian crossing = must stop no matter what. Zebra crossing should stop unless the pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing.

yabu...manners cost nothing

I see thanking drivers as driver education for the ones who need lessons in how to behave towards pedestrians. The more people who say Thank you, or give a little wave ( no single or double fingers) the more likely it is to get through their dumb heads that the world is a much nicer place when we all behave with a bit more generosity of spirit and respect towards each other, and the more likely they are to stop next time. It’s called positive reinforcement, works with dogs and children too.

Nah I don't bother, they're obligated to stop so it's not like they are just being a good Samaritan!

Best way to deal with shouty ranty men (I thought women were supposed to be "more emotional"?! 🙄) is just ignore or smile and wave if you really feel like pissing them off!

😆 🤣 😂

Fake news.

None of these high way codes are legit.

The wave is mandatory.

Stopping is The Done Thing.

There's no should or must about it. 🙃

"any driver caught not stopping for someone waiting at a crossing can be charged with driving without due care and attention"

Your source for this bit (and not AI).