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

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

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 - should give way to cars? We gave each other filthy looks but I refrained from ramming them.

Are you one of those people who gives me a filthy look and drives past too close when I'm walking in the slush at the side of the road rather than the foot or more of lumpy, icy snow on the pavement, OP?

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

Why should someone stand in a ditch to let you swoosh past in your car?

So sorry to hear about your dog Owl

My folks have a similar problem in their village. Some people may have strategically parked vintage tractors about the place to slow people down, I couldn't possibly say if that is why they are there.

But you weren't expecting everyone to give a little. You expected the pedestrians to get out of the way so the two cars could continue as normal without stopping.
You wanted them to stop so you didn't have to - how is that everyone compromising?

Actually in my little world, both cars would have slowed right down, both pedestrians would have stepped sideways for a moment, everybody would have waved & smiled, & we'd all have gone happily on our separate ways.

but you've all made up your minds that I'm really Mr Toad

never mind

To channel Basil Fawlty...."Teak or mahogany? Which sort of tray would you wish your arse to be served up on?" Kidding.

Round here the cars expect you to give way to them on the pavement as they drive along it down the narrow roads. Thing that annoys me is they don't do it when I'm carrying something that might damage their car, just when it's me to damage.

Thanks, Pan

OP, I'm with you. Of course the fucking idiots should get out of the road if they are able to. Just common sense.

Seems like most of the posters on here are self righteous pedestrians that would arrogantly stand in the middle of the road holding up traffic shouting out extracts from the highway code that require traffic to give way to them.

YABU. They are slow moving squashy pedestrians, you are in a big heavy car with an engine. How long were you delayed for? 10-20 seconds? Learn some patience ffs.

"I'm actually a very good driver"

Funny how it's always the ones behaving badly who come out with this line.

Kid - what the fuck? How has she behaved badly if she didn't run them over?

Surely the squishy pedestrians should get out of the road so they don't get squashed. Take some fucking responsibility for their own safety and use some common sense instead of needlessly holding up traffic.

I walk the lanes a lot with my dc's.
No verges here -what may look like verges to a car driver can often be overgrown ditches full of stagnant water,brambles and nettles.
If people cannot drive on the lanes with care,then I wish tractors upon them.And caravanners.

I think it's a line that 'good' and 'bad' drivers come out with. I was in a friends car recently, who had been driving for decades and she rested nicely in the bike box at some traffic lights. I gently pointed this out and she said she had never actually clocked their existence before, and so what they were for. I ride a lot round Manchester centre and car drivers do all sorts of weird and dangerous things, utterly oblivious to the possible consequences.

Very few people say "I'm a shit driver".

No, McColonel, the fuck is that pedestrians, if you bother your rude twattingarse to read the hc, have right of way.

I suspect McColonel is bored, pissed, or just stupid. Or all three.

Fwiw,if two cars are approaching and line of sight is good,I expect one to wait ahead of me until the other has passed.
If on a bend,or I can hear that the car is driving too fast I'll always move over as much as possible.

They may well have right of way but surely they should have the courtesy to step out of the road to let traffic past? Should they continue to walk in the road, forcing all the traffic behind them to drive at 3 mph just cos the highway code says they have right of way?

Use some common sense.

Funny, I remember not too long ago a rant on here about drivers doing 40 on country roads when the speed limit was 60 and everyone piling in saying it was unsafe to drive less than close to the speed limit and citing the highway code.

I think anyone who drives the lanes should walk them first with their kids,then see how they may wish to adjust their driving.

Steam gives way to sail ...

Ideally yes, Lurking.
But as someone who regularly sailed in a crowded harbour that often contained everything from dingies to aircraft carriers, sometimes survival got prioritised over being right.
So yes, OP. The pedestrians were following the rules, facing oncoming traffic. That's what we do. But we're always ready to dive into a hedge or a ditch for drivers who don't know the code, and there are many. The alternative is being morally right roadkill.

While I know that pedestrians have right of way in these circumstances, I don't really understand why they wouldn't move over / get on grass verge where possible (and yes, I know it's not always possible).

I would have thought that a sense of self preservation would make the verge seem like an attractive option if you're walking along a narrow country road and there's oncoming traffic. Some people drive at ridiculous speeds on these roads, and the pedestrian's not going to come out well if the driver misjudges the stopping distances or how much room the pedestrian needs. I usually get onto the verge when I can when walking along these roads. It's not about letting traffic pass, it's about me wanting to reduce the risks of getting myself squashed.

McColonel, the way I deal with pedestrians and cyclists on rural roads is that I overtake if safe and if not, I wait until it is. Just like most people.

Bear in mind that not all people walking on the lanes are on a jolly hike,dressed in gaitors and hiking boots.
Sometimes we're just going from a to b,and its nice not to be forced onto muddy verges or teetering on the edge of ditches unecessarily.
Its also stingy and brambly in the Summer when in sandals.