Accident on Newport Road - Tue 13th Mar 2012

[GraphicsMan]

What if you're blind, deaf, have a mobility problem, or other disability?

A pedestrian is a pedestrian no matter what limitations. I'm not saying people should not be able to cross the road where they want to, but they should take extra care for everyone's safety. Obviously, as a driver, if you can see a pedestrian already crossing the road someway ahead of you it makes sense to slow down, or stop if need be, to let them continue crossing safely.

On the other hand, if drivers are crossing pavements or any other pedestrian walkway, pulling in to a drive for example, the onus is on the driver to wait until any pedestrians have passed.

Much of the road network pre-dates the motor car.....

I purposely stated vehicles, not motor cars. I'm sure many pedestrians were injured by horses and carriages before motor vehicles came along. Also cyclists use the roads and are not as visible or make as much noise as cars.

Indeed you would, which is why drivers also need to take extra care because of the harm that a vehicle can inflict.

I agree drivers should take extra care through areas with lots of pedestrians and they can take as much care as possible, but if a pedestrian steps out in front of them without looking properly they have little chance of stopping.

As I've also said, I don't think that signalised crossings are automatically the answer. A lot could be replaced by zebra crossings which can be better for both pedestrians (you get to cross quicker) and drivers (you're stopped for less time).

Here we are in agreement. Pedestrians press the buttons at a crossing and, if the traffic clears, they will more than likely cross before the lights change. Drivers are then sitting at a red light and there's nobody there. This can frustrate may. Of course there is more onus in drivers at zebra crossings.

 

[loveatfirstbite]

are there rules to where a crossing should be a zebra crossing and where it should be a green man? in response to the person who said that most cars dont stop at zebra crossings, i believe the rule is you have to stop when theres someone ON the crossing. what most people do is stop at the crossing, hovering at the side, wait for a car, and only start to cross when a car has approached and stopped. which is annoying coz if they'd have just started crossing i wouldnt have to stop my car. i always appreciate a nice wave tho, like i didnt have to stop. which i suppose i didnt if you were stood at the edge of the crossing rather than on it. sorry to rant chaps, but thats something that annoys me a bit

 

[missdaisy]

That annoys me too loveatfirstbite! This accident is awful considering there are so many pedestrian crossings there, there should be railings along so people arent tempted to cross like that anyone know if the people involved are ok?

 

[Jonah]

i believe the rule is you have to stop when theres someone ON the crossing.

look out for pedestrians waiting to cross and be ready to slow down or stop to let them cross

do not wave or use your horn to invite pedestrians across; this could be dangerous if another vehicle is approaching

That should answer your question.


Seems like the onus is on both parties (pedestrian and driver) to make sure everyone crosses the road safely. But as the pedestrian is skin and bone and the car is cold, hard metal, I think the car driver should make sure the pedestrian is able to cross the road safely.

The pedestrian shouldn't cross on the say so of one driver but wait for traffic in both directions to be stationary. But in this day and age, it could be ages before that happens.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070339

http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/A954713

 

[loveatfirstbite]

does anyone know how that motorcyclist is doing? i hear rumours but nobody knows for sure. dont get me wrong bigbluewolf i do always stop lol! i just think its an odd thing to do, to wait until a car comes to cross. youll notice it all the time now! there are more annoying things in life btw, im not an angry driver

 

[pollyannapatch]

In response to loveatfirstbite's question about hovering and then crossing, I am afraid to say that I do that. We have a zebra crossing here in Eccleshall and the times I have nearly been run down are quite scary! It is just after a roundabout and for drivers (I have to drive over the same crossing twice a day) there is a lot to look out for and process in a short space of road.

So now I like to "eyeball" approaching drivers to ensure that they intend to stop before I try to cross these days.

But I always give a wave and a "thank-you" when they do.

 

[Glam]

does anyone know how that motorcyclist is doing? i hear rumours but nobody knows for sure. dont get me wrong bigbluewolf i do always stop lol! i just think its an odd thing to do, to wait until a car comes to cross. youll notice it all the time now! there are more annoying things in life btw, im not an angry driver

He is still in a very bad way,very heavily sedated at the moment. He's one of the Chaplains at St.Georges,lovely man. I'm not very good at wording stuff so please excuse me. They are unsure if he is going to lose the sight in his right eye,the left one was a glass one,so there's a fair chance he may be blind. The woman had as thought,crossed over from Tescos,walked across 2 lines of traffic,but didn't see the scooter and obviously he didn't see her either.
He's had the drain taken out of his head now,swelling's gone down.It really is a case of trusting the Drs and doing a bit of praying now. And if anyone would like to know how I got the information,He has a relative who works at St.Georges and they told me about him.

 

[My Name is URL]

Doesn't sound good but thanks for the update Glam.... thoughts go out to the guy and fingers crossed that his sight can be saved and that he makes a full recovery.

 

[loveatfirstbite]

poor guy hope he recovers

 

[Glam]

He's a lovely bloke,I obs know him thru work,he's also Chaplain up the DGH. If I hear owt else,then i'll keep you posted.

In response to loveatfirstbite's question about hovering and then crossing, I am afraid to say that I do that. We have a zebra crossing here in Eccleshall and the times I have nearly been run down are quite scary! It is just after a roundabout and for drivers (I have to drive over the same crossing twice a day) there is a lot to look out for and process in a short space of road.

So now I like to "eyeball" approaching drivers to ensure that they intend to stop before I try to cross these days.

But I always give a wave and a "thank-you" when they do.

I know that crossing! You come down the Stone road and turn left,straight onto a Zebra. Stupid place bung it,yet you walk down the High Street and there int owt!