Driving Through Crosswalks Past Pedestrians (Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach: quality of life, live, law)

[James T]

This nonsense has got to stop. How can so many people driving vehicles in Los Angeles not seem to understand that it's unlawful to drive through a crosswalk whilst a pedestrian is walking through it, and that it's in especially poor taste to take off from the opposite side of an intersection just so that your car will barely clear a pedestrian by the time you get to the other side.

And BTW, when making a right turn, PUT DOWN YOUR CELLPHONE A LOOK TO THE RIGHT FOR OPPOSING PEDESTRAINS BEFORE PROCEDING.

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

It's not the law in Mexico.

[PinkElephant]

This law needs to be tempered with common sense.
I grew up near the beach communities where stopping for beachgoer's was a common practice, and unwritten law.

I see pedistrians step in front of cars going 40 mph. Often, this is done in between parked cars and other blindspot situations.

If this law is going to be safely enforced, the speed limit needs to be drastically lowered.

[James T]

What I negelcted to mention is that this problem occurs even at stop signs, where drivers are required to stop regardless of pedestrians. You'd think that, at a stop sign at least, drivers would yield to pedestrains. It's really unbelievable how many simply do not.

[Sorcerer68]

In Hawaii, pedestrian right-of-way is a new thing. Pedestrian fatalities are pretty common:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar...702100347.html

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Originally Posted by PinkElephant

I grew up near the beach communities where stopping for beachgoer's was a common practice, and unwritten law.

I stand with you on that. In Manhattan Beach, cars will stop for you to cross about 8/10 times. In other areas, well, good luck..

IMO, it's the better quality of life in the South Bay that protects some of life's basic treasures.

[PinkElephant]

James, I'm sorry to say, I've seen it happen. All I can do is treat people the way I want to be treated.

Newportbeachmostwanted, one of the things I cherish about the beach area, too!

[enlightenme]

I was shocked to see that even having a baby stroller doesn't make people stop. I have almost had my toes run over by people turning right when I actually have the green hand to go. I think one of the worse places to be in a crosswalk is Calabasas. I would nearly be run over every day on my afternoon jog. It is one of my most serious pet peeves. I don't remember it this bad as a kid, so I think people are in too much of a hurry now, too self-entitled and on their cell phones.

[James T]

It's remarkable how sometimes, when people want to turn right onto a street, they look to the left but not the right. One would think that it's probably a good idea to actually look in the direction the car is about to travel before proceeding with the turn.

Perhaps vehicular safety is a little more important than chirping on a cell phone when human lives are at risk.

[SandyCo]

I know exactly what you're saying. The truth is that many times I've looked to the left, seen that the traffic is clear, and started to accelerate only to slam on my brakes and give a sheepish smile to the poor pedestrian walking across the street!

My son actually had his front bicycle wheel mangled in the exact same situation. Luckily, he had the presence of mind to jump off, so he wasn't hurt. After that incident, he was sure to always make eye contact with the driver before venturing into the intersection.

Hopefully, more people will be careful and remember to look left and right before turning - self included!

Originally Posted by James T

It's remarkable how sometimes, when people want to turn right onto a street, they look to the left but not the right. One would think that it's probably a good idea to actually look in the direction the car is about to travel before proceeding with the turn.

Perhaps vehicular safety is a little more important than chirping on a cell phone when human lives are at risk.