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As a pedestrian walking on the correct side of the road (facing traffic) while you’re focusing your attention to the left makes it quite dangerous for me on your right.
I have been hit while riding a bicycle several times because of this. I was stopped next to a car that was turning. I was in the bike lane on their right, but they were too busy watching for oncoming traffic to the left and as soon as it cleared, they turned right into me without ever looking to their right. Three times i got hit. Once they broke my watch that my parents gave me for graduation. I was really miffed, but at least it was not my wrist that broke. I was bleeding a little and sore and mad, but no permanent damage other than the watch.
Twice they just drove off. The watch breaker rolled down her window and asked if I was OK. I said no. Then she drove off. We were right in front of the beach, so I guess she felt she was one with the beach.
We have several intersections here that have no turn on red signs. You can't see well at many of those intersections. It's very hilly here and you literally can't see past a house or two. There's been a ton of accidents over the years so the signs went up for safety.
It really is the result of drivers who are terrified of acceleration and who refuse to utilize about the only reason a modern car has over 25hp (about the power required to keep a car moving at speed on a flat highway) when pulling into a road with approaching traffic when all that power is actually required and can safely be invoked without requiring the approaching driver to brake if one actually has the nerve and skill to do so. As any driver possessing a driver's license should obviously be able to accomplish.
Because of them and the crashes they have caused we have nanny laws like this.
And every driver should ALWAYS look to the right first at EVERY intersection after stopping because that is where it would most likely a pedestrian (or of course a bicyclist who may have pulled up next to you) will potentially be coming from and where you naturally have less distance visability because of structures being closer to you and blocking your sight lines. Only when the right is clear should you look to left to see if you can safely pull out, and only after looking to the right again.
In Michigan you can make a left turn on red if you are going onto a one way street or a one way side of a street divided by a median. Unless it is marked otherwise. I am not sure how many states allow that. We have some laws that appear to be primarily for confusing out of State drivers and allowing us to honk at them if they do not go when they can.
In PA, you are allowed to make a left turn on red from a one-way to a one-way if not marked and all normal rules are followed.
As a pedestrian walking on the correct side of the road (facing traffic) while you’re focusing your attention to the left makes it quite dangerous for me on your right.
My point was that I'm watching the traffic, including pedestrian traffic, not looking all over to see if there might be a "No Right Turn on Red" sign. Focusing my attention looking for signs is not going to improve pedestrian safety. As a pedestrian, I suggest you never walk in front of any motor vehicle, even if you have the right away, unless you first make eye contact with the driver.
I have been hit while riding a bicycle several times because of this. I was stopped next to a car that was turning. I was in the bike lane on their right, but they were too busy watching for oncoming traffic to the left and as soon as it cleared, they turned right into me without ever looking to their right. Three times i got hit. Once they broke my watch that my parents gave me for graduation. I was really miffed, but at least it was not my wrist that broke. I was bleeding a little and sore and mad, but no permanent damage other than the watch.
Twice they just drove off. The watch breaker rolled down her window and asked if I was OK. I said no. Then she drove off. We were right in front of the beach, so I guess she felt she was one with the beach.
You shouldn't be riding your bike against traffic, even in a bike lane. That's just dangerous. I know you don't need to have a license to ride a bike, but please learn the road rules anyway.
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