Why do so many pedestrians in Dallas cross streets 3 or 4 car lengths from a crosswalk? (Greenville: live, law)

[Cd225]

Why do so many pedestrians in Dallas cross streets 3 or 4 car lengths from a crosswalk? Has anyone else noticed this? Do they do this in the suburbs? I sort of marvel at how they run, stop on the median, and weave through stopped cars when they could just go to the crosswalk and everyone would stop for them. Anyone have a thought on this? I’m not complaining, though, just observing an oddity.

[TheOverdog]

Most crosswalks in DFW are poorly designed and timed so I typically don't cross at a crosswalk.



First, the turning lanes turn directly into walk signals at least 50% of the time -legal "indicated on the traffic signal" turns, not right on red or lawbreaking.


Also the extra turn lanes + passthru lanes at major intersections mean you are crossing 100+ feet of road, whereas if you cross at a place with an island it's more like 40feet at a time, with traffic coming from one direction - directly at you, rather than direct + behind + various turning directions. Much safer as a pedestrian.

[turf3]

Originally Posted by Cd225

Why do so many pedestrians in Dallas cross streets 3 or 4 car lengths from a crosswalk? Has anyone else noticed this? Do they do this in the suburbs? I sort of marvel at how they run, stop on the median, and weave through stopped cars when they could just go to the crosswalk and everyone would stop for them. Anyone have a thought on this? I’m not complaining, though, just observing an oddity.

Haven't crossed many streets here, have you? Unlike New England, pedestrians do not have the right of way unless there is a traffic light. (I don't know what the law says, but trust me, cars will NOT stop.)


Strolling out into a non-traffic-light crosswalk, expecting that vehicles will stop, will get you run over.

[callmebutter]

its called laziness.

[eastdallasmom]

I cross at the crosswalk but we live between Greenville and Skillman and have found that cars rarely stop or even slow down for pedestrians in a crosswalk here. A couple of weeks ago sitting outside at dinner I saw a driver roll down his window and curse at a woman who was attempting to cross Greenville because he had to slow down to let her finish crossing the road. I know I certainly never assume that anyone is going to stop for me and can see why some pedestrians might decide not to bother to use the crosswalk at all.

[Cd225]

I don’t think the average person, even in a car, fully assumes drivers are going to stop for them. That’s just not even reasonable. For example - When a driver is leaving a 4-way stop someone is coming from another direction, they typically wait to be sure the other driver is stopping.

[Threestep2]

Originally Posted by Cd225

I don’t think the average person, even in a car, fully assumes drivers are going to stop for them. That’s just not even reasonable. For example - When a driver is leaving a 4-way stop someone is coming from another direction, they typically wait to be sure the other driver is stopping.

I cannot figure out what you are trying to say. When it comes to damage assuming and typical do not pay the bill.

[Sunbather]

I use crosswalks and as much as possible yield to texas pedestrian laws (if there are clearly no cars coming and I can safely cross, yes I will sometimes cross when the sign says no walk). I do see a lot of people jaywalk. But Dallas has also been about the absolute worst place I have lived regarding cars giving pedestrians the right of way too. So it's an issue on both sides.

[Cd225]

Originally Posted by Threestep

I cannot figure out what you are trying to say. When it comes to damage assuming and typical do not pay the bill.

Some of the responses here are based on the position that a pedestrian cannot assume the vehicle will yield to them at a crosswalk. So I’m saying a driver also does not assume a vehicle coming the other way will yield to them. They wait until they see it happen.

Originally Posted by Sunbather

I use crosswalks and as much as possible yield to texas pedestrian laws (if there are clearly no cars coming and I can safely cross, yes I will sometimes cross when the sign says no walk). I do see a lot of people jaywalk. But Dallas has also been about the absolute worst place I have lived regarding cars giving pedestrians the right of way too. So it's an issue on both sides.

The reply above that admits to not knowing the law is probably typical. Many people don’t know the law.

[DTXman34]

Originally Posted by Cd225

Why do so many pedestrians in Dallas cross streets 3 or 4 car lengths from a crosswalk? Has anyone else noticed this? Do they do this in the suburbs? I sort of marvel at how they run, stop on the median, and weave through stopped cars when they could just go to the crosswalk and everyone would stop for them. Anyone have a thought on this? I’m not complaining, though, just observing an oddity.

The drivers here DO NOT respect pedestrian right-of-ways at stop signs, traffic lights, or crosswalks even though it's clearly stated under TX state law. I can't tell you how many times I've seen drivers bully mothers with strollers, handicap, elderly people, etc with their cars when the pedestrian Walk sign was lit up. Anyone who has walked in this city knows you're treated like dirt and a second class citizen from drivers. Drivers that hit and kill pedestrians should have their licenses revoked permanently.