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Also drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings while driving, stop talking on the phone, trying to read a text message while driving, or fiddling with the radio when in areas that have pedestrians. And most importantly, slow down and lose the aggressive driving.
But these are things that are beyond the control of a pedestrian who's concerned about his or her safety. If you want to keep yourself safe, you have to deal with the world as it is, not as you want it to be, and adapt your behavior accordingly.
... I thought part of having a civil society is doing away with this kind of mob rule mentality? ...
Who's talking about "mob rule"? A car is bigger than a pedestrian, by at least a factor of 10. Anyone who has ever taken any kind of high school physical science, or any kind of driver's ed, knows that a car can't stop on a dime b/c someone ran out into the street. The driver has to see the person, apply the brakes, and then the car has to come to a stop.
Vehicle Stopping Distance And Time
Do note that at 25 mph, the speed limit on many city residential and commercial streets, stopping distance of an average car is 85 feet!
Just to throw it out there, how would you view these communities/neighborhoods in terms of walkability? I'm only asking due to the ways posters view the term and the various degrees. I guess you can do it on a scale of 1-10.
Regarding safety from car-pedestrian accidents, if that's your chief worry, then don't jaywalk, and wait for the light to change. And pay attention to traffic anyway, even when you've clearly got the right of way.
I'd say it's sometimes safer to jaywalk (when it's obvious the street you're crossing is completely clear and traffic speed isn't that high) than to cross with the light at a busy intersection. The latter will have cars witht the light turning right or left into the crosswalk and maybe right turning cars on red. Of course they're supposed to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, but drivers not looking carefully and aggressive drivers are a possibilty.
Here's an example, a bit extreme to make the point. Take the perspective of someone walking along the big road (4th avenue) crossing the same side street (23rd street):
The side street is small and traffic not going fast. If you had a don't walk sign, you'd see if there's nothing coming and get over 23rd street easily. Note the traffic stopped on 4th avenue can't legally make a right into you crossing against the light [right turn on red is generally not permitted in NYC]. The road show (4th ave) is large and when not congested fairly fast moving*, you could have a careless driver making a right almost hitting a pedestrian. Not saying it's unsafe, just saying the "follow the light" is a bit simplistic. On the topic of "interesting walking" or more pleasant walking, I'd prefer parelell 5th avenue:
narrower, more storefronts, and less of rumble of fast moving traffic. Also normally more pedestrians, though that view has few pedestrians (appears to have taken in early morning since lots of stores are shuttered). Does that mean 4th avenues is unwalkable or someone would avoid walking on it? No. But if I (and probably many others) had a choice, I would choose to walk on the latter street if it involves no detours. I've similar combinations in other cities (Guerreo and Valencia come to mind in San Franicsco's Misson District).
*Speed limit is 30 mph. When clear does that mean traffic moves no faster than 30 mph? No.
... I thought part of having a civil society is doing away with this kind of mob rule mentality? ...
How is watching out for yourself when crossing the street "mob rule mentality"?
You know that book about everything you needed to know you learned in kindergarten? Looking both ways before crossing the street is one of those things we all learned from an early age.
But apparently you can't fix stupid ...
I need another bourbon and coke ... Sheesh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Litehop743
But these are things that are beyond the control of a pedestrian who's concerned about his or her safety. If you want to keep yourself safe, you have to deal with the world as it is, not as you want it to be, and adapt your behavior accordingly.
You know that book about everything you needed to know you learned in kindergarten? Looking both ways before crossing the street is one of those things we all learned from an early age.
Look left-right-left is what I remember. Did that in London, and almost got hit.
Look left-right-left is what I remember. Did that in London, and almost got hit.
Don't they drive on the other side of the street there?
I once had a job with the state of Illinois that required driving kids around, so I had to take the "Illinois Safe Drivers" course. They taught us, left-right-left. I don't recall being taught that in driver's ed in PA. OR, maybe I wasn't paying attention.
But these are things that are beyond the control of a pedestrian who's concerned about his or her safety. If you want to keep yourself safe, you have to deal with the world as it is, not as you want it to be, and adapt your behavior accordingly.
Environments can be changed to make places safer for pedestrians. There are numerous case studies with this that have been very successful.
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