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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this driver should have waited for me to cross first?

85 replies

Lauren1983 · 13/10/2015 16:35

I don't drive so not sure who has right of way in this circumstance. I was waiting to cross a road with DD in her pushchair. This is a fairly long road so normally easy to see traffic coming however a van had parked on the side of the road I was crossing on obscuring my view (I had to stand back from the kerb to see approaching traffic).

I waited a minute or two until I thought it was safe to cross and then started crossing when a car reversed out of a driveway on the opposite side of the road coming directly at me. I managed to move out of the way but was annoyed the driver didn't wait. Maybe I should have noticed him getting into his car but I was more concerned on looking at traffic coming from both my right and left to notice. He must have seen me in his rear view mirror waiting.

Should he have waited until I had crossed? or was it a no-one has right of way situation?

OP posts:
hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 13/10/2015 16:37

He should've waited as you were already on the carriageway.

sharonthewaspandthewineywall · 13/10/2015 16:38

Pedestrians always have right of way

Sparkletastic · 13/10/2015 16:40

Your right of way

ThenLaterWhenItGotDark · 13/10/2015 16:43

Vehicles have right of way unless it's a designated crossing or on certain side roads as far as I understand. Obviously it would have been nice to let you go first, but no legal obligation I don't think.

minionwithdms · 13/10/2015 16:43

Pedestrians do not always have right of way in the UK, but I believe you did in this instance as you had begun crossing before he started to turn into the road.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2015 16:44

Are you sure sharon? So a pedestrian can just cross a road anywhere and cars have to give way to them? That can't be right surely.

Original poster
Lauren1983 · 13/10/2015 16:44

To clarify we both moved at the exact same time as both of us were waiting for cars to pass - did I still have right of way?

OP posts:
StillNoFuckingEyeDeer · 13/10/2015 16:45

He shouldn't have been reversing onto the road to start with.

Salmotrutta · 13/10/2015 16:49

If you both moved onto the road at the same time I'm not sure TBH?

He maybe saw you waiting, thought you had seen him about to reverse out and assumed you would wait?

And no, he shouldn't have been reversing onto the road - so on balance he was unreasonable.

If a pedestrian is already on the road where a car is turning in then the pedestrian has right of way.

Huntthepigsear · 13/10/2015 16:50

Tbh, If it were me, I would have expected that I would be faster than you and you would wait for me. However, when I realised you hadn't seen and had gone on the road, if possible, I would have waited for you.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 13/10/2015 16:50

So a pedestrian can just cross a road anywhere and cars have to give way to them?

I don't think it's the law, but you can't just run people over AFAIK...

BrandNewAndImproved · 13/10/2015 16:51

If you were crossing before he started reversing you had right of way.

If he had started reversing first he would of had right of way.

BrandNewAndImproved · 13/10/2015 16:52

Although saying that you really shouldn't reverse onto roads. I think it's illegal on main roads but it's one of those things that would never get picked up on.

minionwithdms · 13/10/2015 16:55

It's not illegal, but the highway code does say that you shouldn't reverse from side roads or driveways onto main roads, if possible.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2015 16:56

Of course you can reverse out of your driveway onto a road. Why are people saying you shouldn't?

NarcyCow · 13/10/2015 16:56

I don't think it's the law, but you can't just run people over AFAIK...
Grin

In Ireland it's definitely illegal to reverse from your driveway. Doesn't stop everybody and his wife doing it, mind you, but it is technically illegal.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 13/10/2015 16:59

"Rule 201
Do not reverse from a side road into a main road. When using a driveway, reverse in and drive out if you can."
www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2015 16:59

Highway Code says 'reverse onto your driveway if you can'.

It all seems a bit of a grey area. Pedestrians v cars, that is.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2015 17:00

I take that as preferably don't reverse out, but nothing we can do if you do.

MissFitt68 · 13/10/2015 17:05

Why did you've never attempt to cross When there was an obstruction ( the van)

I would never expect an adult it's a child in tow to do that tbh

RickRoll · 13/10/2015 17:07

I think you should probably have right of way in this scenario, since you were already on that road, and the driver wasn't.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 13/10/2015 17:10

Child in a buggy has right of way. As do pensioners/vulnerable pedestrians.

A reversing driver gives way to EVERYTHING. Even hedgehogs on skateboards, according to my old driving instruction. Was silly, but remembered more than 20 years!

MissFitt68 · 13/10/2015 17:19

Er.... Op said they both moved at the same time

And op moved from behind a parked van which she says was 'obscuring her vision'.... She pushed that buggy out yards in front of her into the road..... Wow, who does that??

MissFitt68 · 13/10/2015 17:20

why where in the Highway Code does it say child in buggy has right of way??

Isn't it the parents responsibility to push it correctly?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 13/10/2015 17:35

I can't believe pedestrians have right of way over cars. What about a pedestrian crossing a road around a bend where you can't see them driving in a car? I really can't believe you would be expected to stop.

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