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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Tiredmumno1 · 04/10/2013 10:06

That's not actually funny comingalong, what difference does it make to you whether they cross behind you just as you pass, as long as they don't touch your vehicle, then it's not inconveniencing you.

Can't believe you thought it was funny to try and intentionally hurt someone on purpose by slamming your brakes on. Real nice.

Weeantwee · 04/10/2013 10:07

I know my Highway Code and I know my rights as a pedestrian. I will not give way to a car that decides to turn into the junction I'm already crossing without indicating and turn in to it on the wrong side of the road therefore meeting my legs with his bumper.

You didn't indicate.
You could see I was already half way across the road and therefore had right of way.
You were on the wrong side of the road.

He shouted at me that as he was the car he was in the right!

nickelbabe · 04/10/2013 10:08

the highway code

please note:
Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. See an explanation of the abbreviations.

Although failure to comply with the other rules of The Highway Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see The road user and the law) to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’.

MurderOfBanshees · 04/10/2013 10:09

The Highway Code really is law, can't believe anyone would think it isn't!

Fakebook · 04/10/2013 10:11

As a pedestrian when I'm walking my dd to school:

Dear cyclist with your bright yellow jacket on so you can be seen clearly: do you realise the red lights at the zebra crossing mean that YOU HAVE TO STOP TOO? Don't zoom past the back of my fucking heels when the lights are still red you idiot. My baby could throw his cloth or toy onto the road at any time and potentially cause you to crash and hurt me too. Fucking idiot.

I've lost count of how many times this has happened at the same lights almost everyday.

Heynonymouse · 04/10/2013 10:13

But the drivers who do stop at pedestrian crossings clearly are aware of the rules - because they're obeying them!

As for 'a dot to some traffic', the driver and pedestrian at a crossing are within a few feet of each other - they're highly likely to be able to clearly see each other's faces.

Of course the pedestrian isn't obliged to say thank you, but I do find it deeply dispiriting that so many posters find it risible that one person should pleasantly acknowledge an interaction with another for no other reason than that it's a courteous thing to do.

Pootles2010 · 04/10/2013 10:17

So hey, when you're on a roundabout, and all the cars have stopped cos you've got right of way as you're already on roundabout, do you wave at them?

Do you wave at people waiting when traffic lights are in your favour?

Wallison · 04/10/2013 10:17

I find that a quick tug of my forelock, perhaps a small genuflection and if I'm feeling generous the promise to hand over my first-born generally does the trick when I need to show my undying gratitude to the ever-bountiful and glorious drivers who obey the Highway Code wrt zebra crossings.

Sindarella · 04/10/2013 10:18

I say thank you to the cashier when they give me my change, even though they have to.
I say thank you to the bus driver when i get off, even though thats their job.

Its just manners isn't it.

PatPig · 04/10/2013 10:24

I prostrate myself on the opposing pavement in humble gratitude and admiration that the mighty motorist has permitted my safe passage across the zebra crossing.

MrsOakenshield · 04/10/2013 10:24

I'm not saying that to indicate thanks as a courtesy isn't a good thing (99% of the time I give them a wave, and I tell DD that's what we do too - I think the only time I don't is if I haven't a free hand but even then I attempt a nod), it's that the poster seemed to think that she should be thanked because she was doing them a favour, rather than obeying the highway code and the law by stopping for them.

Wallison · 04/10/2013 10:26

PatPig

nickelbabe · 04/10/2013 10:26

Tiredmummo - she didn't brake in order to injure the pedstrian, she braked, full stop, with the result that the pedestrian who wasn't being careful walked into her bike.
this is exactly the reason why she made the post, to point out that walking in such a manner is dangerous, because the vehicle might have to brake or react to an unforeseen problem. that's why you have to wait until it's safe to cross

BadSeedsAddict · 04/10/2013 10:28

Dear ToadintheHole,

Feel free to continue putting yourself in danger. I'm sure the emotional trauma I suffer will be nothing in comparison to the physical trauma inflicted upon you by this bloody big chunk of metal you insist on throwing yourself in front of. Take satisfaction in knowing that at least one person's normal life will be impaired, to whatever extent, by your actions.

Cheers now.

MadeOfStarDust · 04/10/2013 10:31

I quote the poster above (and the highway code itself)

Many of the rules in The Highway Code are legal requirements

only the ones with MUST

rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’. are not in themselves a LEGAL requirement - and there are MANY, MANY more of them than the "must" - they may be quoted in court, but s they are NOT law.....

There was a very disturbing program on TV a while back about the "lawyer to the rich" who can get people off on the technicalities of the highway code who explained very well indeed that things like parking within 10m of a junction/on a corner/brow of a hill are not per-se illegal, but are advisory and he will fight to prove a lack of safety issue in each and every ticketed case.....

BadSeedsAddict · 04/10/2013 10:33

Having been a pedestrian for so long before becoming a motorist I always always indicate! And stop for pedestrians already crossing the road I'm turning into. And smile at people on crossings (and teach my kids to smile and wave at motorists allowing them across). Because it's nice to be nice, don't you know

limitedperiodonly · 04/10/2013 10:33

On my test I was trying to reverse round a corner. It was school home time and loads of people kept walking behind my car.

The examiner asked why I kept stopping and I said I was giving priority to the pedestrians.

He said 'Yes, but we haven't got all day. Just carry on, they'll get out of the way.'

I don't know where we'd both have stood if I'd have hit anyone, but he was right. They did get out of the way.

MurderOfBanshees · 04/10/2013 10:46

Oh another one, from two sides.

Dear pedestrian in a car park, please do not act so surprised to see a car driving around said car park, it's kind of what happens in car parks. The cars somehow need to get from the outside to the car spaces and back again.

Dear car driver in car park, please do not act so surprised to see a pedestrian in said car park, I'm pretty certain that even you intend to get out of your car after parking it, why is it so hard to understand others might too?

FrightRider · 04/10/2013 10:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pootles2010 · 04/10/2013 11:05

When woudl you reverse off a main road? Genuine question, only just passed my test & curious!

IAmMiranda · 04/10/2013 11:08

Dear Pedestrian. I can guarantee that my car will do more damage to you than you will do to my car. Even if legally you have right of way - do not take this for granted. Look and pay attention to what you are doing. No matter who is in the "right" I assure you that you will come off worse vs a car. Have some sense.

AmberLeaf · 04/10/2013 11:13

That is true, but it is also the reason why so many drivers take the piss. Because they can.

IAmMiranda · 04/10/2013 11:14

Dear cyclist.
If you want to be treated respectfully whilst cycling on a road with cars then obey traffic law - Either act like a pedestrian or act like a car, you can't have it both ways.

IAmMiranda · 04/10/2013 11:15

That is true, but it is also the reason why so many drivers take the piss. Because they can. I'm not denying that drivers can be arses too, but pedestrians are the more vulnerable. The amount of times I see them launch themselves across a zebra crossing, for example, without looking because - hey! They've got right of way. Its ridiculous.

jacks365 · 04/10/2013 11:19

Fright it does not matter where you are. It does not matter if a pedestrian is stepping off a pavement a reversing vehicle always has to give way. It is a manoeuvre not driving down the road and you always give way when doing any manoeuvre.

I think iammiranda sums up some drivers attitudes to pedestrians mind you I've heard the same from drivers of bigger vehicles to small car drivers.

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