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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To treat certain pedestrians in this way?

171 replies

BosomForAPillow · 31/08/2009 19:59

You know when a pedestrian crosses in front of your car when they really don't have much time to do so (because you're driving towards that bit of road!), but instead of hurrying across, they strut/meander as if they have all the time in the world? I'm talking about teenagers usually, who seem to me to be doing this with "attitude" and just expect me to slow down/stop until they've ambled across.

Well, I've started spraying them with my windscreen wash.
AIBU?

OP posts:
campergirls · 01/09/2009 13:50

Remember the thread by the woman whose husband thought he was perfectly entitled to march down the middle of the pavement barging people out of his way unless they dodged him? Lots of you drivers on here seem to take basically the same attitude to pedestrians.

The outcome of that was that everyone agreed he was a nutter with no empathy or respect for others and she should leave him. Which she did. Think on, oh ye crazed, aggressive, window-cleaner-wielding, pedestrian-loathing drivers...

Original poster
BosomForAPillow · 01/09/2009 13:54

By the way, I am a pedestrian most of the time. I dont' walk out into the road when a car is coming unless I can see I've got time to cross before that car gets anywhere near me (and dd). If it's looking a bit tight I certainly hurry across!

OP posts:
deaddei · 01/09/2009 14:11

If telling a bunch of 12 year olds that it's bloody stupid and dangerous to shove each other in the road is scaring them- yep, I'm all for that!

LovelyTinOfSpam · 01/09/2009 14:48

In a lot of the sitiuations described on busy roads etc, the pedestians will likely have been waiting for ages to try and cross as no-one ever lets people cross any more.

The reason sometimes for dawdling on the first half, is to see if the drivers on the other side are actually going to stop and let you complete the crossing. IME many just drive on regardless, so if you swiftly walked you would get hit. And if you waited for it to be clear to get across completely you would never be able to cross.

I have been nearly hit so many times, often by women with children in the car, who then swear at me, that maybe this thread should come as no surprise. As explained earlier, me and the kids going over their bonnet could cause it some serious damamge.

Nancy66 · 01/09/2009 14:54

But if it's a really busy dual carriageway there will always be a designated crossing won't there?

What makes me laugh is when you get people at pedestrian crossings that don't press the button and don't realise that the traffic has no reason to stop unless they do.

SomeGuy · 01/09/2009 14:59

Some people don't press the button because they don't want to hold up the traffic.....

LovelyTinOfSpam · 01/09/2009 15:00

I'm talking about the suburban roads around the town where I live though.

You take your life in your hands even at zebra crossings and ones with lights.

Seriously most people around here drive as if they either do not realise what will happen if (when) they hit someone, or genuinely not care. Including mums with kids in the car etc.

I find it incredibly upsetting.

TheDMshouldbeRivened · 01/09/2009 15:03

zebra crossings are the worst. Drivers just keep whizzing by even if you have one foot on it. Haven't they read the bloody High way Code?

Nancy66 · 01/09/2009 15:04

Some people don't press the button because they don't want to hold up the traffic

...sort of defeats the purpose of a pedestrian crossing though doesn't it?

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/09/2009 15:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

cookielove · 01/09/2009 15:08

How did this conversation get so lost, all these people having a go at the op and confusing the story when it really isn't about trying to hit people or side swipe mopeds???

KateMess · 01/09/2009 15:28

Cookielove, that's the aibu thang, you have to fight the urge to post them, or only post ten minutes before you're off on holiday.

TheChilliMooseisyourfriend · 01/09/2009 15:43

Bosomforapillow, at the risk of being hated by many MNers now, I shall have to say that I agree with you. There are safe places and times to cross, which isn't right in front of a car.

TheChilliMooseisyourfriend · 01/09/2009 15:43

Bosomforapillow, at the risk of being hated by many MNers now, I shall have to say that I agree with you. There are safe places and times to cross, which isn't right in front of a car.

mmrsceptic · 01/09/2009 15:45

Try Singapore.

If somebody runs across an six (ie three each way) motorway/expressway and is hit the driver is still at least partly responsible. It goes something like 80 pc responsible if in the third lane, 60pc responsible in the second lane, but even if the walker has stepped out in front of a car on a three lane road, the driver in the first lane he steps into who hits him is 20 pc responsible.

Does that make sense, have I explained it well?

Basically drivers just need to suck it up, and we might as well, because what's the point otherwise. Deep breaths all round.

It's only a few pedestrians who act like this and we have to be as patient with them as with the struggling parents with toddlers and others who aren't able to be as fast as we might like.

Big overreactions from a load of people. OP you're not a vicious racer hellbent on victimising pedestrians, I think that much is obvious. But why waste the windscreen wash.

StewieGriffinsMom · 01/09/2009 16:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mmrsceptic · 01/09/2009 16:54

I think this thread is channelling the mn green car hate guardian farmers' market on a bike teenagers are misunderstood thing.

TheDMshouldbeRivened · 01/09/2009 16:57

you forgot to get gay and eco-warrior in there you know

mmrsceptic · 01/09/2009 17:00

gosh darn it

someone fill in the gaps

trebles all round

deaddei · 01/09/2009 17:01

I wonder what Informer2 would have to say on this one.

TheDMshouldbeRivened · 01/09/2009 17:02

wear body armour!!!! And drive a tank. argh. etc.
Thats my guess.

Original poster
BosomForAPillow · 01/09/2009 17:03

Can we stop now?

OP posts:
deaddei · 01/09/2009 17:33

Poor bosom..why not open the wine?
It is still the summer hols.

LovelyTinOfSpam · 01/09/2009 17:33

bosoms.

Did you get your answer?

I have rather enjoyed your thread so far

Morloth · 01/09/2009 17:35

Well I don't think YABU, but bear in mind if you do this I also won't think the person who responds by chucking something at your car when you squirt them is being unreasonable either.

If you do it often enough you will eventually do it to the wrong person and will probably regret it.

Just slow down and chill out.