Do drivers not realize they need to stop for pedestrians in Chicago? (Ashland: insurance, live)

[hindukid]

I have noticed that whenever I cross a street in a crosswalk nobody ever stops for me. Even if I am in the middle of the road, still nobody ever stops. I live off Ashland and cross it all the time and I don't think one car has ever stopped.

Do drivers not realize that they are required to stop for anybody waiting to cross in the crosswalk or do you think everybody just chooses to ignore the law. Lots of times drivers even give me looks, like I am the problem.

[richrf]

They can get ticketed. A while ago the police department were using undercovers who were ticketing cars that did not stop. It was pretty high profiled but memories are short.

[almost3am]

It is such a difference between L.A. and Chicago. In LA, pedestrians waited at corners for the walk sign and drivers respected crosswalks. It goes both ways in Chicago, people just randomly cross the roads and drivers don't stop.

[hindukid]

Originally Posted by almost3am

It is such a difference between L.A. and Chicago. In LA, pedestrians waited at corners for the walk sign and drivers respected crosswalks. It goes both ways in Chicago, people just randomly cross the roads and drivers don't stop.

But if there is no light in Chicago, just a painted crosswalk then you don't need to wait. Its your right of way and cars should be stopping for you.

[richrf]

Originally Posted by hindukid

But if there is no light in Chicago, just a painted crosswalk then you don't need to wait. Its your right of way and cars should be stopping for you.

This is true, but who wants to take the risk. I just came back from Toronto and they don't even stop for Stop Signs. N.Y. is slightly better. They treat red lights like stop signs.

[Vlajos]

What happens at all the round abouts in Europe?

[marothisu]

I've had mixed with this. People stop for me and others seem to want to go. I've actually been hit by two cabs before. Luckily they were going no more than 10 mph and i let them off and didn't tell insurance/cops (no injuries). Still ridiculous. They were not watching and just ran into me.

[Attrill]

People definitely need to do a better job of stopping for pedestrians, and I'm glad to see the city has been making some efforts at enforcing the law. That said, the city really needs to do a better job of planning out crosswalks and making sure they're clearly marked. They've done a great job with a few new crosswalks - the new pedestrian islands on Chicago Ave. and the signage on new crosswalks on Armitage are great.

I do think 4 lane streets like Ashland and Western do need to be treated differently than 2 lane roads. I've stopped to let people cross Western just to see them almost get hit by traffic in the left lane as they step past my car. I don't try to cross Western at crosswalks when people stop to let me walk, because half the time the people behind them just pull around, and the left lane traffic never stops. It's faster to just let all the cars pass and cross when it's clear.

[jwaiter]

Chicago drivers will pretty much cut off a bike or pedestrian or act like they're going to hit you and only use brakes ONLY when absolutely necessary. I think it's insane and the police should write more tickets for cars who won't stop.

[emathias]

I wish on the busiest streets Chicago had overpasses for pedestrians.