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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think pedestrians on a narrow country road should expect to give way to cars?

143 replies

TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 28/04/2015 21:52

I was a bit gobsmacked by this today. They were walking 2 abreast towards me; as I approached they went one behind the other, but there was another car coming the other way - as is usual we were clearly all going to arrive at the same point at the same time (is it Murphy's law?) but equally clearly they had no intention of stepping on to the verge while the cars passed. I ended up at a dead stop just ahead of them as the other car went by.

They were wrong, yes? Pedestrians walking on the road - a national limit road Shock - should give way to cars? We gave each other filthy looks but I refrained from ramming them.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 28/04/2015 21:54

(In their position I always step on to the verge where there is one, or flatten myself against the hedge when there isn't)

OP posts:
Marshy · 28/04/2015 21:56

Well it was very generous of you not to ram them Hmm

SisterMoonshine · 28/04/2015 21:57

No pavement?
You did the right thing - the obstruction (the walkers) was on your side of the road, so it is you who needs to stop to let the other car pass.

Dawndonnaagain · 28/04/2015 21:58

Well, how nice, you gave some folk out for a walk a dirty look.
Round here we give pedestrians a bit of space, even on 60mph roads.
Hmm

Kewcumber · 28/04/2015 21:58

The highway code says

"Drive carefully and slowly when approaching pedestrians on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath. Always slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, giving them plenty of room as you drive past"

WireCat · 28/04/2015 21:58
Biscuit
Kewcumber · 28/04/2015 22:01

Very wise not to ram them Hmm

The highway code also says "The most vulnerable road users are pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders."

I take that to mean the least vulnerable need to give special consideration to the most vulnerable. And unless they are prohibited from walking on that road then why should they be constantly stopping and stepping onto the verge to save you from slowing down or stopping once?

Mistigri · 28/04/2015 22:01

The Highway Code says that when approaching pedestrians on a road without a pavement you should slow, and stop if necessary. Pedestrians should walk one abreast on the RH side if there is no pavement - which is exactly what these walkers were doing.

30 seconds on Google would have told you that ;)

1hamwich4 · 28/04/2015 22:02

I think you'll find that, as the one in charge of a couple of tons of metal, it's your job not to hit any of the squishy pedestrians.

They use the roads by right. You were there by licence.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 28/04/2015 22:02

so when I move out of the way for cars when I'm on foot I'm doing the wrong thing?

OP posts:
Moln · 28/04/2015 22:03

You need to carry a whip in your car and give those pesky pedestrians a good thrashing for walking on the road. They should know there place!

Owllady · 28/04/2015 22:03

You should drive at a speed which reflects the probable dangers on it
Ie. People walking
Horses
Cyclists
Livestock!
Most country roads without pavements cannot and should not be driven down at national speed limit, even if that is the limit set
If you drive at that speed and mow down a family on an afternoon walk you will receive a punishment to reflect that. Dangerous driving? Manslaughter?

Despite common misconception, these lanes were not put there to help you get quicker to your destination

abigamarone · 28/04/2015 22:03

Pedestrians on a road without a pavement take precedence. It's so unquestioningly obvious that I'm not sure you're fit to be behind the wheel of a car.

Moln · 28/04/2015 22:04

Fecking their place.

Stupid words.

exLtEveDallasNoBollocks · 28/04/2015 22:05

I was told that once a pedestrian sets foot on a road they are entitled to be on (ie not a dual carriageway or motorway) that they have right of way. No point in being angry OP, what you did is what you are expected to do.

rallytog1 · 28/04/2015 22:05

You should always give way to the more vulnerable road user.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 28/04/2015 22:06

well I wasn't actually doing 60 Hmm - probably about 35.

OP posts:
msgrinch · 28/04/2015 22:07

I think you need to reread the highway code dear.

Original poster
TheOneWiththeNicestSmile · 28/04/2015 22:08

it's always seemed common sense to me that if there's space to move off the tarmac it's wise to do so Confused

OP posts:
Aeroflotgirl · 28/04/2015 22:08

Well aren't you a kind and considerate driver Hmm

CremeEggThief · 28/04/2015 22:08

YABU and very selfish too.

emopod · 28/04/2015 22:08

Squishing oneself into the verge can often (a) make pedestrians less visible to cars (especially those travelling at speed) and (b) might encourage some careless drivers to try to pass dangerously close to them - if it was such a narrow road, it was probably safer for one car to pass the pedestrians at a time in any case.
I would say they actually chose the safer option in this case. YABU to have given them dirty looks and YWVVU to have even contemplated ramming them!

SoldierBear · 28/04/2015 22:10

Do you remember ANY of the Highway Code?
The walkers were in the right. They went into single file, which was sensible and considerate.
It is the drivers who have to take the appropriate precautions. Being in a car does not give you priority.
Time for a refresher course as you don't know the basics of the Highway Code.

Owllady · 28/04/2015 22:10

What is your braking distance at 35 mph?
Obviously enough for you to stop in this case and let people stay alive and walk on.
There is no need to be Hmm about it, but you do need to listen if you want to drive safely and legally in the country

2rebecca · 28/04/2015 22:10

I wouldn't move on to the verge if I'm walking on a road any more than I would if cycling along a road. The fastest road user does not have priority. If you have an obstruction on your side of the road be it pedestrian, cyclist, horse or tractor you stay behind them un til it is safe to pass them, although pedestrians should be waking towards you so you may have to stop if no room to overtake them safely.