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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think a driver (or cyclist) having to give way to a pedestrian waiting to cross is a crazy new rule?

449 replies

flashbac · 31/12/2021 07:17

To clarify, if a pedestrian is waiting to cross on a road a driver is turning into, new rules from January state the driver has to let them cross.
Also applies to cyclists as pedestrians have priority.
All very well and good until you consider how chaotic this could be at junctions. Fine on unbusy roads.
I'm thinking:
What if you are turning into a 30 mph road from a 40?
What if you are turning right at a busy junction?

It sounds crazy to me.
And before anyone jumps at me and says they do it in Europe and its fine. I'd like to know how congested and busy the roads in these countries are and what the public transport is like.

OP posts:
ShakespearesSisters · 31/12/2021 07:57

Its going to be fun turning into my street which is on the route between the sixth form and train station and one of the main roads out of the city so very busy. When college kicks out there is a constant stream of youths for about 15 minutes. They don't really have much road sense anyway (the amount of times when walking in the armed direction I've put my arm out to stop them stepping into on coming traffic us ridiculous) but knowing they have right of way they will just carry on walking while staring at their phones not looking at anyone or anything.
Its also equally hard walking against the tide of them while they walk 3 abreast and don't go single file or squeeze together to allow for pedestrians coming the other way.

This is definitely not going to work on every road and it hasn't been well publicised at all. I've only seen about it on here ( last time a month ago or so and I'd forgotten, had my memory jogged by this post)

snapsieplopp · 31/12/2021 07:58

This rule confuses me, I personally wouldn't just step out with a car coming.

What about if it's a junction with lights?

Oblomov21 · 31/12/2021 07:58

I can't understand the logic of it. Baffling.

FabulousMrFifty · 31/12/2021 07:58

I think it’s great rule change to help protect vulnerable road users, but as a pedestrian & cyclist (and a car driver and motorcycle rider) I certainly won’t be expecting to see any change in behaviours any time soon

ErrolTheDragon · 31/12/2021 07:58

@CounsellorTroi

What about when a road you are turning into has a light controlled crossing (not a zebra)? Can you assume you have right of way when you turn or would you have to stop if there was a pedestrian there even if the red man was showing?
Pedestrians should be obeying lights relevant to them so shouldn't be crossing on a red man if there's oncoming traffic. But obviously you're not allowed to run people over even if they're doing something wrong.
countingto10 · 31/12/2021 07:59

There is another rule coming in where cyclists have priority over horse riders on the road - not much thought went into that one bearing in mind some horses can be seriously spooked by cyclists silently speeding past them. Everyone should pass horses wide and slow, stopping ie give way, if necessary. I think the BHS etc are already on the case with this particular rule.

Please no comments about horses not being allowed on roads etc. Sometimes we have to use roads to get to bridleways.

RocioMartinez · 31/12/2021 07:59

There are plenty of countries where this is the norm.

I got caught out a couple of times when I first moved back to the UK and happily crossed the road assuming traffic turning left would stop for me.

Having said that, I think it is madness to change the rules without a major information campaign to tell people about it.

thedancingbear · 31/12/2021 07:59

@rattlemehearties

I don't understand your point about a 40 zone turning into a 30 zone.... You should be doing 30 when you pass the 30 signs, and turning into a junction you'll be doing far less in an area where someone is likely to cross the road?
One suspects the op simply decelerates from from 40 to 30, possibly while sounding her horn
snapsieplopp · 31/12/2021 07:59

I'm not concerned about not stopping. I'm more concerned about the people behind me not stopping or the build up of congestion.

Yes same, the congestion is so bad in London that you can easily get caught in a yellow box or block a road.

Iheartmysmart · 31/12/2021 08:00

It’s going to cause chaos where I live. A bus stop, zebra crossing, entrance to shops,GP surgery, takeaways, pub, nursery and school on one side then bus stop and entrance to 60 apartments on the other all within 20 ft of each other. The road will just come to a complete standstill several times a day while you wait for 400 school children and their families to cross the side roads.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 08:00

@ShakespearesSisters I am interested genuinely on how it will be any different to now. I don't live near a 6th form so don't experience it. Are you saying at the moment you just keep driving and they move out the way but you are worried they will not move out the way once the rules are in?

onedayoranother · 31/12/2021 08:01

My understanding is you must give way if there is a zebra or parallel crossing, or their light is green at a light controlled crossing, not just at a junction, but I can't find an actual Highway Code wording.
As for comparisons to European cities I'd say many are far more chaotic than here!

rrhuth · 31/12/2021 08:01

@snapsieplopp

I'm not concerned about not stopping. I'm more concerned about the people behind me not stopping or the build up of congestion.

Yes same, the congestion is so bad in London that you can easily get caught in a yellow box or block a road.

People who drive really shouldn't moan about congestion. If you have concerns about congestion, stop driving.
KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 08:01

@RocioMartinez

There are plenty of countries where this is the norm.

I got caught out a couple of times when I first moved back to the UK and happily crossed the road assuming traffic turning left would stop for me.

Having said that, I think it is madness to change the rules without a major information campaign to tell people about it.

To be fair to you if you had started crossing then they should have.
ErrolTheDragon · 31/12/2021 08:01

@Oblomov21

I can't understand the logic of it. Baffling.
The logic is that every junction is an implicit zebra .It's also very similar to if you're turning left and there's a bike a bit ahead of you - you have to let them proceed not cut into them. It's extremely simple.
snapsieplopp · 31/12/2021 08:02

Pedestrians should be obeying lights relevant to them so shouldn't be crossing on a red man if there's oncoming traffic. But obviously you're not allowed to run people over even if they're doing something wrong.

No shit

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 08:03

There is another rule coming in where cyclists have priority over horse riders on the road hmm I'd like to see their logic in deciding that one in case I'm missing something.

rrhuth · 31/12/2021 08:03

Having said that, I think it is madness to change the rules without a major information campaign to tell people about it.

This I agree with, especially given the amount of moaning from drivers who seem unable to even understand the changes!

NameChangeCity123 · 31/12/2021 08:04

@RampantIvy

I didn't know about this, so thank you for posting.
Same here, thank you!
YourenutsmiLord · 31/12/2021 08:05

Does it also apply at junctions with traffic lights - if so I can see Princes St in Edinburgh grinding to a halt as no car can turn left due to ceaseless meandering pedestrians.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 08:06

@CounsellorTroi

What about when a road you are turning into has a light controlled crossing (not a zebra)? Can you assume you have right of way when you turn or would you have to stop if there was a pedestrian there even if the red man was showing?
Erm.. you would have to stop. Unless you want to smash into them.
Simonjt · 31/12/2021 08:06

@HunterHearstHelmsley Are you saying when you are unable to see the road ahead due to a parked vehicle you choose to drive in a manner that is dangerous to the road conditions you are facing?

I always find it weird when dangerous drivers are proud of their dangerous driving and think other road users are somehow incapable of driving at the speed limit because they slow down for hazards, as they should.

KiloWhat · 31/12/2021 08:06

@YourenutsmiLord

Does it also apply at junctions with traffic lights - if so I can see Princes St in Edinburgh grinding to a halt as no car can turn left due to ceaseless meandering pedestrians.
What happens now? Do drivers just plough through them?
snapsieplopp · 31/12/2021 08:07

A lot of drivers are really, really crap. They don't pay attention, they cut corners, they don't indicate etc etc.

I agree & one reason this change should be highlighted a lot more.

I will always stop for a pedestrian crossing the road, doesn't mean it's something I would do as a pedestrian

Notjustanymum · 31/12/2021 08:07

@Tootfroot, Imagine pedestrians stepping into the road and assuming that drivers will just stop. in London, they normally do this already. At night. With pushchairs containing children! One of the many reasons why I won’t drive into London any more😁