Cars turning left onto side roads

[Wellthatsit]

Do people know that the Highway code is to give way to pedestrians crossing a side road? If it's ambiguous/fine line as to whether a pedestrian has started to cross, or they've stepped out but then hesitate when they see you driving towards them, do you drive on or do you give way?

I decide at the time depending on exact circumstances. Sometimes I stop, sometimes I go

If they are about to cross I give way, asuming there isn't a lorry driving up my ass about to crash into me (because it is too much hassle for them to slow down!)

If they are approaching the road then I usually don't unless it is a child (want them to cross so I can see they are safe) or a hard road to cross with steady traffic.

Yes You stop and let them clear the road. Their choice which way they go!

A couple of years ago I was crossing a side road. A car came up behind me and the driver stopped and beeped, wound down his window and shouted something like "You need new glasses love, get out of the road"

As he had stopped to chat I thought I'd oblige and told him he was wrong, I had right of way, that he needed to be more aware of hazards in the road, and that included older women with spectacles.

His passenger in the back got out out laughing and said "Good one, Miss. XXX you drive like a twat"

It's one of the joys of having been a teacher

I'm a pedestrian and I didn't know that. Though I don't think I'd ever take the chance that the driver was going to give way; I'd always wait until s/he'd passed, unless s/he signalled me to go.

One thing I do wish is that drivers intending to turn would indicate. Round here the back streets are quiet and often there isn't another vehicle in sight, and many drivers don't seem to think it's necessary to indicate. But I'm here waiting to cross and I want to know which way you're going!

I'd let the pedestrian continue.

However, 90% of the time I turn left in to my street the pedestrians never turn their heads to check the main road for traffic indicating left before they start to cross. They just amble into the road. I don't think the highway code falls in their favour for poor road sense but I'd rather not collide with them to find out.

Glad to hear people are willing to wait. What if it's one of those situations where it's ambiguous whether the pedestrian will keep going or step back? Would you wave them across? I am asking because I have had several experiences of having started to cross, then driver drives up, has to brake, then the instant I hesitate (just instinctively) they drive on. Tried to continue crossing today and the driver drive in front and started to argue that we were wrong to cross, blocked us with their car and then actually drove over my husband's foot (thankfully just the lip of the shoe) when I tried to keep going. I understand the red mist can descend, but people use their cars like weapons sometimes.

I'd like to hope a pedestrian wouldn't cross too close to the junction, I had my car written off because of this.
Car a few in front of me turned and stopped with his back end sticking out. Busy A road meant we had to stop too.
Car behind me didn't bother stopping, hit me so hard, the car crumpled. Sad day, loved that car.

Had pedestrian just been a little further up the street, all would have been fine.

NiceTwin, surely that's not the fault of the pedestrian? The cars behind must have been observing the correct stopping distance. (Sorry your car got totalled though).

@NiceTwin

I'd like to hope a pedestrian wouldn't cross too close to the junction, I had my car written off because of this. Car a few in front of me turned and stopped with his back end sticking out. Busy A road meant we had to stop too. Car behind me didn't bother stopping, hit me so hard, the car crumpled. Sad day, loved that car.

Had pedestrian just been a little further up the street, all would have been fine.

But that's where you are supposed to cross; where the pedestrian ramps are placed; where the view up and down the road is clearest for pedestrian and driver alike!

It wasn't the pedestrian's fault the driver behind you wasn't paying attention. Presumably the side road had been there a while!

I had a car drive into a side road I was crossing in the local town centre - I had to stop dead or be run into. The driver stopped a few yards on & parked, completely oblivious.

A tiny, fierce policewoman was walking towards me along the pavement, caught my eye, said "Right!", ran to the car & gave the driver a good bollocking. Made my day

In town I anticipate pedestrians, and will wait to turn in if people are crossing/about to cross. Elsewhere, I just take care and deal courteously with unforseen stuff - walkers, horses, people stopped for a phonecall, tractors etc.
Pedestrians have priority over vehicles

Depends on the safety of the circumstances, and I NEVER direct a pedestrian - drives me mad when I get bossed around by a driver. I get to decide when it's safe to cross, not the person in a cosy metal cube who deigned to give me my right of way.

Where in the Highway Code is this? I tried to find it and forward it to someone recently but was unable to find the proper section. (And I thought it applied to cars turning right into side roads too)

As an aside, I was taught by my driving instructor NEVER to wave someone across the road because if something happened to them, I would be held responsible as I had told them the way was clear. Instead, I have to sit staring at them, which I find very uncomfortable!

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/road-junctions.html

Key words: Pedestrian priority side road

@Niconacotaco Look at the rules for pedestrians, and rule 170 for drivers

I expect most drivers don't. Perhaps another reason to end driving licences for life (almost) and have regular re-testing of drivers. Many of those with licences will never have taken the theory test.

@peak2021 I don't think that's terribly fair on older drivers - many thoughtless and entitled drivers will have taken the theory test, and instantly forgotten the contents. Many people simply don't understand courtesy and consideration for others.

I definitely give way. If you are driving behind someone turning left then you have to be prepared to slow down or stop while they wait for the road to clear as well. I've had drivers behind beep me when I'm turning into Lidl and someone is walking across the road or a car hasn't cleared the entrance. So many drivers just aren't paying attention.

The worst ones used to be minicabs. When I was a student there was a horrible wide side road to cross near the bus station. I'd always look if anything was coming, but then you'd be half way across and a minicab would come careering towards you practically on two wheels. Also I was nearly taken out by a Range Rover this way when running one time.

As a pedestrian - I would always wait until the road was clear and no traffic indicating a desire to turn. That’s what I was taught as part of the green cross code.
Odd I have a desire to live.

As an aside, I was taught by my driving instructor NEVER to wave someone across the road because if something happened to them, I would be held responsible as I had told them the way was clear.

Oh, I would never cross just because a driver waved me across - I always check, for example, for cyclists or motorcyclists coming up on the outside. I don't go unless I think it's safe. But when there's a continuous line of traffic, not fast moving but too fast to nip across in between vehicles, and no pedestrian crossing, sometimes the only way to cross is when a driver leaves a bit of space and waves you across.

I think whoever is there first should have priority. If a pedestrian has started to cross a road before a car signalled and commenced turning then the driver gives way, However, just because a car signals to turn, it doesn't mean the pedestrian should leave the pavement and march out into the road and think they have priority. More common sense and decency from both drivers and pedestrians is required.

@thecatsthecats

Depends on the safety of the circumstances, and I NEVER direct a pedestrian - drives me mad when I get bossed around by a driver. I get to decide when it's safe to cross, not the person in a cosy metal cube who deigned to give me my right of way.

Ohhh so it’s not just me then! Drives me nuts when well-meaning drivers wave me across. Like, trust me, I’m not going to run you over, honest! I mean it’s statistically extremely unlikely, but still feels v weird. Plus I live in Amsterdam and have no way of knowing I’m not going to be taken out by a bike, because I can’t see past the bloody car!

We live down a side road off a busy main road. There is a little supermarket on the corner so a fair amount of pedestrian traffic crossing.
The amount of people that just step out without looking astonishes me (often with massive headphones on / face glued to their phone). I will always try to stop and let people across but it really irks me when a pedestrian makes no effort to look before they cross.
Also irks me when people drive so close to you that you think you're going to get shunted for daring to slow down to turn!

I'm very cautious when crossing the road and if I stepped off the pavement as a car turned in, I'd get back onto the pavement and let them go. DH is cavalier about crossing and just presses on ("they have brakes, they're not going to hit you!" ).

However, I don't trust people to do what they're indicating so whether I'm on foot or driving, I wait until someone has completed a manoeuvre before I move.