Just because you can legally walk the road does not mean you should.

[walkthisway0]

Firstly I am in Ireland, but google makes me think it is the same in the UK.

Around where I live there are plenty of very busy, narrow, country roads that are 80km (50mph). Filled with many cars, tractors, lorries etc.

Some people walk these roads or run on them. I know legally they are allowed to but I think it is pure madness. There is one person who is often out walking with a baby in a pram. I have had to stop and wait to pass as there is a stream of traffic coming the other way. But I have also nearly been hit by a lorry who coming around a bend met her and over took as he would never have stopped in time.

I don't go around corners at 80km but I proceed as 'expecting something to be there' but it's still a shock to find a lorry on your side!

There is also a person who regularly runs towards the traffic (as recommended) in roughly the middle of the lane and does not move closer to the side.

I pass other people who are aware of the traffic around themselves and adjust. When my car was broken I walked into town a few times and would step in when a car came.

AIBU to think that while yes you are legally allowed to do this, no it is not a good idea?

The problem isnt the pedestrians, it's the people driving like fuckwits.

And the solution isn't for people to stop walking, it's for more people to walk and cycle and for car drivers to adapt their speed and use their cars less

The lorry driver in your example was driving far too fast for the conditions

I run on a particular road with long stretches, good visibility. I wear a hi viz and a light, I'm visible. There's a painted line in the middle, a lane in each direction just wide enough for cars, so a car on my side needs to cross the line to pass me. Sometimes they can't because of oncoming traffic and they need to slow down or even stop until they can.
On every run I'll have at least one driver blow the horn and shout at me for not diving into the hedge to give way to them. There's no risk to anyone's safety, they've seen me in plenty of time, they CAN slow down or stop, they just don't want to.
I'm not giving in to assholes. They, and you, don't own the road. Drive slower.

Honestly, posts like this make my blood boil!
It's drivers who make the roads a dangerous place to be, but they think pedestrians should be the ones to make compromises in how/when they travel. So entitled!

I don't know specifically about Ireland, but a few people round my way like to use the road as a walkway. The road isn't busy, but there are at times drivers that treat it like a racetrack in ignorance of the 20mph limit and speed humps. I'd just leave them to it. It sounds macabre, but I'm a big believer in lessons being learned the hard way if there is a clear indication of a total absence of common sense.

Pavements are often very uneven, awful camber and at night the street lights light up the road, not the pavement, often the pavement is mostly in shadow, every difficult to walk on.

Thats if there is any pavement of course, near here there are lots of roads without pavement.

For those mentioning footpaths, these are the ones through fields, uneven, not lit, muddy, boggy. Those footpaths?

I think I live somewhere similar. Tbh I think everyone is entitled to be on the road. If someone doesn’t want to tuck in, fair enough, it means you just have to get to a straight spot and overtake. Joys of rural living it’ll be walkers, bikes, tractors, sheep, Lorries that are bit too wide, I just always make sure I have an extra bit of time.

Some people drive like utter twats so I’d rather it was someone like me who was following a slow cyclist rather than someone impatient who could overtake dangerously.

I think you’re being massively unreasonable - country lanes are there for everyone. Follow the country code, walk/run into oncoming traffic unless the road turns the corner, and occasionally other road users will need to slow down for you if you are unable to climb onto the verge. But they’re not just for cars - plenty of walkers will need to use them too. Drivers should always keep that in mind when they’re driving on them.

I can't drive or cycle for medical reasons and there aren't many buses where I live, so I often have to walk a mile or two along the road. I am careful and so are some drivers, but others seem to assume I shouldn't be there in the first place and shoot around corners as if the road belonged to them personally. It doesn't. It belongs to everyone.

Narrow lanes here and no footpaths nor helicopter pad, so no alternative. I'm not driving half a mile. And there are an increasing number of us who won't move until cars slow down. Actually it's cyclists who are worse!

Whoever said the issue is people driving like fuckwits has it. I live on a NSL road. My nearest pavement is about a mile away. Unless I want to drive absolutely everywhere I do walk, run and cycle on my road sometimes. I wear hi vis or reflective gear usually. Some drivers pass way too close and too fast. They are fuckwits. Needless to say, I also drive along that road a lot. I’m aware of hazards. Yesterday I met a group riding lesson of five horses and what appeared to be some novice or nervous riders. There are all sorts of road users around and they are all entitled to use it (although the chap who slowly cycles along it at school run time can get in the bin😬).

Have no choice here. For my son to get his school bus he has to go on unlit roads with no footpaths. I work so cannot pick up or drop at the bus stop. Lots of other kids have to walk the roads to the local school.

I live rurally on a road that’s 60 mph - people regularly walk the road, including myself with 2 dogs and a baby.

a pedestrian has just as much right as a car on these roads and just because the speed limit is 50mph doesn’t mean people should be driving at this speed

Where else are they supposed to walk?

I have actually stopped walking very close into the edge to force cars to slow down more and definitely won't move into the hedge until either they have slowed down or I actually fear for my life. I agree that they are much more likely to slow down to an appropriate passing speed if you are "walking wide" for want of a better description.

The speed limit has been reduced from 80kms to 60kms and even 50kms in local roads since February.

It's up to drivers to slow down and drive carefully and always be prepared for the unexpected.

On the local roads yes, but the roads between main towns are still 80km per hour.

On both of these roads there is usually a lot of traffic. There are lots and lots of trucks especially during the day time.

I'm not saying people are not allowed to do it, I just think it's a bit mad!

We live just off a road like this. When I had my 1st baby I didn't have a car. I wanted to walk to town, it's about 5km but I just didn't think it was safe enough with a baby in a buggy.

I wish we had more foot paths. About 1km from town there is a footpath, it isn't great but it is something.

Not everyone has access to a car. How do you expect them to get around?

My SIL can no longer drive for medical reasons, and has to walk down country lanes every day to get to and from work.

Are you being silly or have you ever actually been to Ireland? You can't just walk through fields here and they don't have footpaths.

The problem with the lorry in your OP is entirely the lorry’s fault for overtaking on a blind bend. Report them to their company if you can, there’s no excuse for being on the wrong side of the road when you can’t see what’s coming towards you. It’s not the pedestrians fault for being there!

I drive country roads a lot and it’s really not difficult to be considerate of pedestrians. You should be able to see them from a distance, and if you can’t see far ahead or around a corner you should be driving as if something was there anyway. Obviously if they’re wearing dark clothes in the dark then they’re foolish, but just walking along the roads is perfectly reasonable.

I can't leave my house without walking on a unrestricted road without pavements (not even to drop a parcel round next door). There has always been dickh**ds on our local roads but since the area has become a UNESCO world heritage the number of drivers who think they are the only people entitled to use the roads has increased massively. It's getting to the point where walking the dog from home is stressful, my daughter can't ride her bike without us driving her somewhere first.

National speed limit is not a target to drive to, you need to learn to drive to the road and traffic conditions and traffic includes prams, bikes, horses and pedestrians. A few more drivers need jailing and being made an example of for dangerous driving on these roads.

Not many footpaths locally that I can think of that you could use a pushchair on and that's without even considering stiles and those stupid kissing gates. Not everyone lives in places where the council provides nice level, tarmacced "footpaths".

It's dangerous for all road users.

Saying that, I agree that we should be mindful of everyone using the road.

Why can't everybody take responsibility for themselves?! Why is the onus on the car driver when you meet a cyclist with no lights and black clothing in twilight hours or later. Why not light yourself up like a Christmas tree to ensure that you're easily seen?

Responses on these threads shock me. The number of entitled people is stunning. 'Well, I was here before a car so they should wait for me'. Vehicles can't see around a bend, however slow you drive. When you're walking you can hear a car - step in, for your safety and for the safety of others. Car drivers can't hear anybody walking.

Nobody is better than anybody else and the quicker people see that, the better. Entitlement is a disgusting trait.

You're not being unreasonable.

Same in the North, despite British rule. No right to roam here. If you walked through a farmer’s field he or she would be straight out with their blunderbuss🤣🤣 Better taking your chances with the articulated lorries and speeding teenagers.

But, in all seriousness, who ever thought 60mph was a good idea on small winding roads? Definitely a man. The problem is, some people see 60mph as something to aspire to.

have you ever campaigned for (a) more pavements to be installed? (b) more safe off-road routes for pedestrians and cyclists to be created? (c) a community life-share scheme to be set up? (d) improved public transport options?
If not, YABU to criticise anyone for choosing to use the roads rather than being confined to their house.