Zebra crossings

[TheZebraCrosser]

I was under the impression that when driving, stopping to let a pedestrian cross on a zebra crossing (white stripes on road, big flashing Belisha beacons) was in fact mandatory, not discretionary.

So why did some twat in a van holler 'could have put your hand up to say thank you you ignorant sod' as I (a pedestrian) sauntered across the other day.

I have noticed (as a motorist) that more and more pedestrians are now scuttling across zebra crossings almost apologetically while mouthing thank you s and waving.

This is all very well and sweet of them but it leaves me a bit bemused as they have a right to cross anyway.

I'm wondering now, if, when I get to the end of temporary traffic lights, would I be advised to 'thank' the person waiting at the other end for not jumping the red light? To thank someone for giving way at a roundabout if you gave right if way anyway?

And then there are people who step out into the road with no crossing at all without so much as batting an eyelid and scream abuse if you don't dodge them by a wide enough margin.

Help needed.

I smile or put my hand up to say thank you because many people don't stop. Yes they should, but most times there's no one around to do anything if thry don't.
Also I use my manners be ause I'm polite. When we get off the bus I say thanks, when I get my change in the shop I say thanks. When thry deliver DS's Happy Meal to the table I ask him what he says and he says thank you.

I do thank drivers but you are absolutely right that they HAVE to stop and I am just being nice thanking them.

It's discretionary until the pedestrian steps onto the crossing when it becomes mandatory and of course its good manners to put your hand up or nod your thanks. Not essential but politeness oils the wheels of society and costs nothing so why wouldn't you?

why wouldn't you just put up a hand to say 'thanks', though? What would that cost you?

I live never a very busy road with a zebra crossing, I hate it as drivers rarely stop. I don’t say thank you but I have had the odd rude driver who shouts out “your welcome!”

Drivers only have to stop when you are on the crossing. If they stop while you are dawdling close to it then that is a courtesy so why wouldn't you thank them?

You’re *

This is a new thing though.

It's started in the last couple of years.

I had no intention of being rude; I didn't even know there was a van there. There were a few people crossing already and I just stepped out assuming (because it was a crossing) that I could cross.

It is an pedestrian area with high footfall. It would be a sea of waving hands if everyone waved.

Maybe the van man wasn't even addressing me but another (more grumpy looking?) crosser.
The point remains though.

I just stepped out assuming (because it was a crossing) that I could cross you might might want to start looking before you step out into the road given the number of idiot drivers

It didn't start in the last couple of years. I was brought up to it and I am 35! He was still a rude man though. If I stop at a crossing and the pedestrian doesn't thank me I think nothing of it.

I mean I'm all for politeness and saying thank you.

But when does it all end?

Should I thank drivers who are giving way to me at side roads / t junctions? Should I thank people for waiting at red lights??

I was also under the impression that the Highway Code says you have to stop if there is someone "about to cross" (I.e. on the kerb looking out..?)

I might be wrong though, it might have changed. I'll loon it up.

*look

So you are arrogant enough to walk out onto a crossing because it's your right, without looking in regards to safety? But you expect the drivers not to have the same level of arrogance?

Perhaps look before you cross, and be courteous enough to get over your right to cross and acknowledge the driver.

it's not a new thing at all.

again - what would it cost you to do that?

It's not to do with arrogance. It's how the roads work for God's sake!

Following that logic you're saying I should thank people for NOT cutting me up, for NOT driving out in front of me when I have right of way??

It's utter madness.

It's not to do with arrogance. It's how the roads work for God's sake!

It's really arrogant actually.

Following that logic you're saying I should thank people for NOT cutting me up, for NOT driving out in front of me when I have right of way??

Erm, no, I am not saying that. Why are you making things up?

It's utter madness.

Indeed.

It says nowhere in the Highway Code 'kindly wave and smile to thank drivers who have stopped or you are not allowed to cross'

It's not about what it costs - that's not the point.

I have already explained I have no problem with thanks and politeness WHERE DUE.

What am I thanking them for? For not breaking the law?!

Ooo cross posted there.

Nwy - clearly you don't have the ability to reason or follow a logical train of thought.

I agree OP.

I don't thank someone for stopping at the red light. They have to. They also have to for zebra crossing.

I mean, I wouldn't walk out assuming that they will stop. But I don't thank them for follow the law.

It will just be some dickhead man in the van who probably shouts of women for all sorts of things like not smiling or daring to go running.
I wouldn't give it another thought.

Be interesting to hear what some of these posters would do if I failed to stop when they are crossing g the road? Scream abuse at me?

I never scream abuse if someone fails to stop, and I don't give mealy mouthed insincere thanks when someone does what everyone knows you have to do anyway.

Neither am I arrogant. Pedantic maybe, but not arrogant.

It's not to do with arrogance. It's how the roads work for God's sake!
It is bloody stupid though. If a cat speeds across the crossing you've just stepped out on to without looking, who do you think will come off worse? Even at traffic lights the responsible thing to do is still look both ways before crossing. It's unlikely tbsyd kill themselves if they hit a pedestrian at speed. It's possible you might not be so lucky.

for the third time - what would it cost you to just do this?

Oh and before someone comes along to say I am entitled - yes yes I am! Entitled to cross the road.