Study: Atlanta Drivers Among Country's Least Safe?

[ThreeSides]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

Then there are the crazies who no nothing of the rules of the road and, in the name of southern hospitality, do all types of things likely to get someone killed - trying to be nice. Like stopping in the middle of the freaking street and waving some pedestrian on in front of ur car. Problem is, ur in the middle of the road - not at a crosswalk or light - and the driver coming in the lane next to you has no idea that u just coaxed a poor innocent person out into the middle of the road in the name of southern hospitality. I've heard of at least two pedestrians being killed like that. Then there is the non-adherence to the pedestrian right-of-way rule.

I agree about your sentiment on "trying to be nice". The behavior drives me nuts!

Originally Posted by cqholt

Drivers in the metro pay little to no attention to pedestrians and cyclist. Drivers turning left or right never look for pedestrians in the crosswalk. I have often wondered if they teach that pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks when walking with traffic? In defense of some drivers, areas that get more pedestrian and cyclist traffic, more urban neighborhoods, tend to be more courteous towards pedestrians and cyclist. I'm sure this is due to these drivers having more experience with peds and cyclists and being more aware.

About pedestrians: For me, it has been more a matter of visibility. A lack of, that is. Visibility can be very poor, with the lack of a grid and especially the undulations.

We can talk about pedestrian right-of-way until pigs fly. Pedestrians need to be more vigilant. As a pedestrian, it's absurd to presume that drivers are aware of, or care. A lot of info. has to be processed while driving. Drivers are eating, on the phone, disciplining their children, etc. Be vigilant while walking.

Drivers would do well to signal when the car in front of you wants to turn left and oncoming traffic prevent to immediate execution of said turn. Even a right turn requires that the lead driver slow down. Example: ten cars are in succession. The lead car wants to turn left. The lead car communicate this by turn on their left turn signal The second car should also turn on their left turn signal to communicate to the third car to slow down. I advocate for the third and fourth car to signal also. Let's make this catch on. So what, the car behind you thinks that you don't know where in the hell you're going. At least you weren't rear ended! Right?!

[cqholt]

About pedestrians: For me, it has been more a matter of visibility. A lack of, that is. Visibility can be very poor, with the lack of a grid and especially the undulations.

We can talk about pedestrian right-of-way until pigs fly. Pedestrians need to be more vigilant. As a pedestrian, it's absurd to presume that drivers are aware of, or care. A lot of info. has to be processed while driving. Drivers are eating, on the phone, disciplining their children, etc. Be vigilant while walking.

The law is the law. If a car hits a ped in the crosswalk, it is the drivers fought. But a ped should be able to walk, with traffic in a crosswalk without having to worry about drivers turning into them! The driver can obviously see the ped in the crosswalk.
Most peds are vigilante, gotta be in today's society of distracted drivers. Driving is dangerous enough, just focus on driving and leave the rest of the crap alone.

[ThreeSides]

Originally Posted by cqholt

The law is the law. If a car hits a ped in the crosswalk, it is the drivers fought. But a ped should be able to walk, with traffic in a crosswalk without having to worry about drivers turning into them! The driver can obviously see the ped in the crosswalk.
Most peds are vigilante, gotta be in today's society of distracted drivers. Driving is dangerous enough, just focus on driving and leave the rest of the crap alone.

You are way too emotional. "The drivers fought". "Most peds are vigilante".

I'm certain that there is a law against drinking and driving. Despite that law, people drive drunk. Pedestrians owe it to themselves to be keenly aware of the vehicles on the road, especially at intersections. I'll make myself clear, it is sometimes difficult to see pedestrians because of the convoluted roads and hills. Angles are poor at some intersections, including parking lots.

I agree, a pedestrian should be able to walk without having to worry about being struck by a vehicle. However, that is fantasy! Atlanta has made a place for people who behave that way: Grady Hospital trauma ICU or the morgue.

You may find solace in knowing that the driver that struck and killed your loved one is in jail. I wouldn't find comfort in said scenario.

[ChefRamsey]

This is hilarious. ATL drivers ARE nuts. Especially in the rain.

lol@ cqholt

[DTL3000]

Originally Posted by Jackalope

Just curious, when you are being tailgated on a backroad, do you ever consider moving over and letting the person get by you?

I always find it interesting that the people who complain about tailgating also seem to mention "NASCAR" (or other drivers speeding) as if they object to other people driving faster than they are.

Why not just get the hell out of the way? Wouldn't that make you and them happier?

When I'm driving the speed limit or above and some jackass comes racing up behind me and starts tailgating me like a jerk, then I rightfully assume that it's not me, it's them.

I don't mind people driving faster than I do, but you obviously haven't seen how some of these people drive(or perhaps you ARE one of those people, which from your tone wouldn't surprise me).

I've got a better idea than me getting out of the way.

Don't drive like an a**hole.

[cqholt]

You are way too emotional. "The drivers fought". "Most peds are vigilante".

I'm certain that there is a law against drinking and driving. Despite that law, people drive drunk. Pedestrians owe it to themselves to be keenly aware of the vehicles on the road, especially at intersections. I'll make myself clear, it is sometimes difficult to see pedestrians because of the convoluted roads and hills. Angles are poor at some intersections, including parking lots.

I agree, a pedestrian should be able to walk without having to worry about being struck by a vehicle. However, that is fantasy! Atlanta has made a place for people who behave that way: Grady Hospital trauma ICU or the morgue.

You may find solace in knowing that the driver that struck and killed your loved one is in jail. I wouldn't find comfort in said scenario.

I ain't no spelling bee champ!
As a pedestrian myself, most do walk with vigilance and are always looking for cars, but drivers need to slow down and not be such a hurry all the time, like making that left turn before the light turns red. Driving is hard enough, put down the cell phone and cheeseburger.