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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Pedestrians

288 replies

MardyBra · 03/10/2013 23:29

Please do not "nip in front" of my car as I am pulling out of a junction.

Oh, and a quick cheeky cross of the road just as the lights are changing and I've been waiting for ages isn't great either.

I don't want to kill you.

I know I'll be flamed as an imperialist gas-guzzling car driver even though my business couldn't function with a car but some of you have been getting on my tits this week.

OP posts:
FrightRider · 03/10/2013 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tuonz · 04/10/2013 01:11

Yy. And the lovely tesco car park that was built with pedestrians in mind with lots of easily accessible paths is for your safety. Don't wander up the road bit with your toddler child running loose.

I promise to be careful, and I would be devastated if I hurt someone, but you deserve a smack in the chops for teaching your child such dangerous habits.

God, March, that felt good. Ty.

jacks365 · 04/10/2013 01:22

Frightrider sorry but if you are reversing pedestrians have priority, you need to wait for them
But op yanbu if nothing else it's common sense.

DameDeepRedBetty · 04/10/2013 01:28

Hi Teenage Boy.

If you insist on stepping onto the road from behind a tree, wearing your hoodie right down to your chin, and texting or farting about on your phone that's linked to your headphones somewhere under aforementioned hood, please do not be surprised when I perform an emergency stop six inches from you and hoot my horn like a mad person.

phantomhairpuller · 04/10/2013 03:25

A friend of dh's hit and seriously injured a woman yesterday. She was on the phone, stepped out from behind a parked van and straight into his path. Didn't even look by sounds of it.

He's probably never going to get over that, whatever the outcome for the injured woman.

Fakebook · 04/10/2013 03:34

Also stop crossing the bloody road diagonally towards me as I'm driving towards you and when I'm reversing don't look at me via my mirrors with a look of entitlement and carry on walking like I'm committing the biggest crime of the century.

CrohnicallyLurking · 04/10/2013 07:03

While we're at it, if a van driver approaching a roundabout has stopped before the crossing even though the lights are green, because there's a queue at the roundabout, do not assume that it's safe for you to walk across the crossing. The one I'm thinking of has 2 lanes, and you know, another driver might want to use the other lane. That same driver just might not be able to see you till you actually step out from behind the van into their path. The crossing has a green and red man for a reason. If it's red, you shouldn't be crossing.

justmatureenough2bdad · 04/10/2013 08:43

from one motorist to another... there is a little stick conveniently located next to the steering wheel that you can move with just the slightest touch...this magical little wand can cleverly let other motorists (and pedestrians i guess) what your intentions are when coming to junctions/roundabouts etc...
although empirical evidence would suggest otherwise, i'm 70% certain that big new bmws, audis et al come with the wonderful directional advance warning thingummyjigs....please consult you manual to get detailed instructions on location and use.

many thanks

Bodicea · 04/10/2013 08:54

A little, wave, nod or smile when I stop for you at a zebra crossing would be appreciated. Seriously where are your manners. I have stopped my car just for you. At least acknowledge my existence!

Trills · 04/10/2013 08:58

I can see that you wanted to overtake someone who was walking slower than you on the pavement, but doing that by stepping into the road with your back to the traffic is not a good idea.

No, not even if it is quiet.

You know how you live in a city that is known for having a lot of bikes?

Those bikes don't make a lot of noise.

Well, not normally.

They make a fair amount of noise when they have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting you, after you've performed the above-mentioned manoeuvre.

Binkyridesagain · 04/10/2013 09:05

Do not push your pram into the road whilst you are looking round parked cars to see if the road is clear. Move to a clearer spot or a crossing so you can see what's coming and not risk the life of your child.

OldSchoolMamma · 04/10/2013 09:09

I'm a pedestrian (unless my dad takes me somewhere) and normally I'd defend my fellow pedestrians. That changed recently when I had to go to the dental hospital. My Dad drove past Newcastle Uni and the amount of idiots with head phones in or glued to their phones was unbelievable and people kept stepping out in front of cars! It was a very nervous experience and one woman on a bike (with headphones in, no helmet on) decided she had went the wrong way and pulled across in front of my dads car!
She then went on to give us the finger while dodging another car on the opposite side of the road.

coppertop · 04/10/2013 09:09

Do drivers really expect pedestrians to thank them for obeying the highway code? Confused

mumofthemonsters808 · 04/10/2013 09:10

Bodicea - Glad you raised this matter because I have been doing this for years just because I'm grateful that someone has stopped and want to acknowledge this, but it does not seem to be the norm, I've never actually seen anyone else do it to be honest.

ubik · 04/10/2013 09:13

Drivers

Please pay attention to the road, I know you are late on the school run and are looking ahead at the traffic trying to determine if you will mnage to screech to a halt at the school gates before 8.30am - but please look out for those pesky red lights, as my six year old may be crossing at the green man and in your haste to get your kids to school, you may almost run her over.

This happened last week - the driver managed to slam on the brakes and stop about an inch away from her. She then screeched off again, not a word of apology, after all she was late for school!

ubik · 04/10/2013 09:16

" I have stopped my car just for you. At least acknowledge my existence!"

Ha ha, yeah, yeah, thanks for not mowing me down on a pedestrian crossing etc etc

MurderOfBanshees · 04/10/2013 09:16

Dear pedestrians, please be aware of stopping distances. My car is a big, heavy thing and I cannot make it defy the laws of physics, nor can I step back in time to react before you do stupid shit. I am doing all I can to keep myself and other road users safe, if you could just engage brain before stepping out in front of me that'd be great. Especially you kids who think it's fun to play chicken on a 50 road.

AmberLeaf · 04/10/2013 09:22

Do drivers really expect pedestrians to thank them for obeying the highway code?

Looks like it!

Wallison · 04/10/2013 09:22

I'm with justmatureenough. Just because I am awesome, it doesn't mean that I have psychic superpowers so, drivers, when want to turn ... fucking indicate. Also, there is usually precious little time allowed for crossing when the green man comes on, and that time is eroded by one of you fuckers jumping the lights and another 'anticipating' them. If it's red, you should be staying still, not driving faster.

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 04/10/2013 09:23

Dear cyclist

Please do not swerve off the pavement onto the road in front of my car! It would have been your own bloody fault if I'd hit you.

Wallison · 04/10/2013 09:25

I actually had one twat shout 'Thank you' at me out of his window after I crossed on a zebra the other day. Cheeky entitled twat; having a car doesn't mean you own the bloody world.

AmberLeaf · 04/10/2013 09:30

I must say though, in that situation and others I will raise my hand to acknowledge them, so they know I have seen them etc.

MrsOakenshield · 04/10/2013 09:30

agree with a lot of this but I'm not sure why pedestrians have to thank cars for obeying the highway code. If a car stopped somewhere where they don't have to to let a pedestrian cross, out of the goodness of their heart, fine, but at a pedestrian crossing? (NB the clue's in the name).

BTW I do usually indicate thanks, but if I don't there's nothing bad-mannered about it. Do you expect pedestrians to thank you for stopping at traffic lights - it's no different, you know.

AmberLeaf · 04/10/2013 09:34

I think people must think it is optional to stop so deserves thanks.

Zebra crossings. As you approach a zebra crossing

look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross
you MUST give way when a pedestrian has moved onto a crossing
allow more time for stopping on wet or icy roads
do not wave or use your horn to invite pedestrians across; this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching
be aware of pedestrians approaching from the side of the crossing.
geekgal · 04/10/2013 09:34

MrsOakenshield FTW! It would be like you as a driver signaling thanks to the opposing traffic when the lights go green, you just don't do it, do you?