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Pedestrian safety...

Pedestrian safety...

Sykes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24

Sykes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24

Pedestrian safety...
2/6/2020 at 9:50 AM

So on my commute today, I was a doing a lane change and almost rear-ended the vehicle in front of me mid-change because he slammed on his brakes to stop for a pedestrian that he didn't see (and yes, the person - a child - was in a designated crosswalk and already crossing.)

I don't know what needs to be done but crosswalks need to be marked far better than they are. This particular intersection (on Vic) didn't have any flashing lights, but even if it did, what we have in place now falls quite short compared to what I've seen in other major cities.

Drivers also need to make a habit to actually slow down and stop for pedestrians wanting to cross the street. Just yesterday, I saw a lady wanting to cross the street and cars just blew by without any regard for her.

But I do want to say one thing for pedestrians: you do have the right of way, but you also need to remember that the laws of physics also exist. Vehicles need space to come to a complete stop. Please don't just step onto the street and then get upset when a vehicle panic stops or honks at you.
thelife
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 31

thelife
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 31

School Zones
2/6/2020 at 10:38 AM

I agree 100%. The consideration goes both ways. School zones are the worst in this city. It seems nobody wants or feels the need to respect the posted speed limit or the fact that there are crosswalks that have children suddenly crossing. If you're going 30 it won't be as hard to get stopped once you see a child run across the street.
traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

:0
2/6/2020 at 12:56 PM

So a few things, you are not allowed to change lanes in an intersection or a crosswalk (also in a school zone 15 min before & after start/stop of school and breaks, that confusing i know) so for safety if you waited to do a legal lane change you would not have had to slam on the breaks!

Were you maybe also following to close? not paying enough attention?
When you are driving you should be scanning at all times that i:ncludes approaches to crosswalks. So in you example before you started a lane change you should have saw the intersection/crosswalk and also looked ahead to the sidewalks approaching the crossing to see and be ready for anyone that may be approaching and thus going to cross (same with the person in front of you) but reality is things happen on the road at a moments notice and you need to be prepared, honestly if you do everything you're supposed to while driving 50km is quite fast, especially if you aren't familiar with your surroundings so you are right pedestrian safety is a concern, but keep in mind there are rules in places to help if you follow them

Ps pretty much every intersection is a crosswalk marked or not, keep that in mind while driving too and of course pedestrians should make an indication of their intent to cross but kids are not as experienced and do make mistakes

Edited by traveller, 2020-02-06 12:58:22
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Pedestrian safety
2/6/2020 at 1:50 PM

It’s a two-way street... pedestrians need to be predictable and keep eyes open and vehicles need to be mindful of where crossings are and be on the lookout. Along Richmond at intersections with 22nd and Shoppers Mall/McDs, its downright scary to see how many vehicles blow right through without noticing that someone is about to cross or even in the middle of already crossing.

One improvement I’d like to see at a few spots in town that I can’t see being too difficult is the addition of flashing lights closer to the ground (keep the overhead ones too). This pic is in Portage along the Trans Canada. Not perfect either, but the more flashing lights at places the driver’s eyes are already looking the better chance of being noticed. I’ve seen flashing lights in the road itself in warmer climates but obviously not quite as practical with our winters!
auntieerica1984

Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 143

auntieerica1984
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 143

pedestrians
2/6/2020 at 4:17 PM

we had the same problem yesterday at Rosser and 18th we were turning left off Rosser and two guys walked right in front of us - they had the walk sign but they still weren't paying attention to their surroundings. I agree they need to do something with crosswalks in Brandon.
Lonewolf_MB
Joined: This month
Posts: 15

Lonewolf_MB
Joined: This month
Posts: 15

";Pedestrian safety...";
2/6/2020 at 5:44 PM

Adam said "
It’s a two-way street... pedestrians need to be predictable and keep eyes open and vehicles need to be mindful of where crossings are and be on the lookout. Along Richmond at intersections with 22nd and Shoppers Mall/McDs, its downright scary to see how many vehicles blow right through without noticing that someone is about to cross or even in the middle of already crossing.

One improvement I’d like to see at a few spots in town that I can’t see being too difficult is the addition of flashing lights closer to the ground (keep the overhead ones too). This pic is in Portage along the Trans Canada. Not perfect either, but the more flashing lights at places the driver’s eyes are already looking the better chance of being noticed. I’ve seen flashing lights in the road itself in warmer climates but obviously not quite as practical with our winters!
"
"Adam said "

It’s a two-way street... pedestrians need to"

Start using the button located on the boulevards in the middle of certain intersections to activate the lights before they proceed to cross the next two lanes.
They are call pedestrian controlled for a reason.
JM3030
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 227

JM3030
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 227

Those pedestrians
2/6/2020 at 6:55 PM

auntieerica1984 said "we had the same problem yesterday at Rosser and 18th we were turning left off Rosser and two guys walked right in front of us - they had the walk sign but they still weren't paying attention to their surroundings. I agree they need to do something with crosswalks in Brandon. "
Would've had the right of way, if they had a walk sign to walk out in front of you. I mean I get that pedestrians need to look before they cross the street, but they had a walk sign at the intersection at least.

Edited by Jen3030, 2020-02-06 19:07:26
Exhausted
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1756

Exhausted
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1756

push the button please
2/6/2020 at 7:40 PM

so many pedestrians do NOT press the button; please press it when it is available.

And get off your cell phone when walking across a crossing. Eyes should be on the road not on your cell phone.

Yes cars need to be watchful as well. And no going around cars at intersections when they are stopped. They are stopped for a reason.

I was following a car on 10th street who was going less than 40 mph and for some reason as soon as the school zone came he/she raised speed to about 60 mph. no sense to me.
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Crossings
2/7/2020 at 10:48 AM

Turns out three of the Portage-style crossings are in the works for spots in Brandon...
https://ebrandon.ca/buzzpost.aspx?buzz_id=704
Sykes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24

Sykes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 24

Some clarity
2/7/2020 at 11:12 AM

traveller said "So a few things, you are not allowed to change lanes in an intersection or a crosswalk (also in a school zone 15 min before & after start/stop of school and breaks, that confusing i know) so for safety if you waited to do a legal lane change you would not have had to slam on the breaks!

Were you maybe also following to close? not paying enough attention?
When you are driving you should be scanning at all times that i:ncludes approaches to crosswalks. So in you example before you started a lane change you should have saw the intersection/crosswalk and also looked ahead to the sidewalks approaching the crossing to see and be ready for anyone that may be approaching and thus going to cross (same with the person in front of you) but reality is things happen on the road at a moments notice and you need to be prepared, honestly if you do everything you're supposed to while driving 50km is quite fast, especially if you aren't familiar with your surroundings so you are right pedestrian safety is a concern, but keep in mind there are rules in places to help if you follow them

Ps pretty much every intersection is a crosswalk marked or not, keep that in mind while driving too and of course pedestrians should make an indication of their intent to cross but kids are not as experienced and do make mistakes

Edited by traveller, 2020-02-06 12:58:22"
I should've mentioned that all this happened during the span of me completing a shoulder check during rush hour (which was mere moments). The flow of traffic was as such that there was an appropriate gap to take. It also didn't help that there was a snow pile that was hindering the view of the pedestrian (even more so for me as the vehicle following).

I am also aware that you can't change lanes in intersections (that's what the solid line is for ). Even on that note, the distance between intersections are fairly short and your window to legally change lanes is equally short.

Adam: Great to see those crossings in the works.

Next topic... Safety for cyclists sharing the road, haha.
foxtrot11
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2688

foxtrot11
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2688

These work well
2/7/2020 at 1:11 PM

Adam said "
It’s a two-way street... pedestrians need to be predictable and keep eyes open and vehicles need to be mindful of where crossings are and be on the lookout. Along Richmond at intersections with 22nd and Shoppers Mall/McDs, its downright scary to see how many vehicles blow right through without noticing that someone is about to cross or even in the middle of already crossing.

One improvement I’d like to see at a few spots in town that I can’t see being too difficult is the addition of flashing lights closer to the ground (keep the overhead ones too). This pic is in Portage along the Trans Canada. Not perfect either, but the more flashing lights at places the driver’s eyes are already looking the better chance of being noticed. I’ve seen flashing lights in the road itself in warmer climates but obviously not quite as practical with our winters!
"
We have these everywhere in BC - you cannot miss them - not sure you could miss them even if you were texting and driving - they are fairly obvious. I think they do work better than the overhead ones because they are at most drivers' eye level.

We have multiple exit roundabouts near us and every exit has these on both sides, and you can definitely see pedestrians when they cross.

That said, if the pedestrian is too lazy to push the button then you cannot really blame the driver.
Cheezies
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1623

Cheezies
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1623

Pedestrian
2/7/2020 at 1:30 PM

Also a reminder to pedestrians to dress accordingly as well. If you are going to walk after dark, please wear something reflective or light coloured. We drivers need to be able to see you to stop. I watched a lady try to cross at a crosswalk a couple nights ago wearing all black walking a dog that only had a tiny little flashing thing on its collar. The dog was not visible either as it was too low and behind a snowbank. She had nothing reflective on her at all. You couldn’t see her till you were on the crosswalk.
So pedestrians please make sure you are visible.
Newfie101
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 480

Newfie101
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 480

almost got hit
2/7/2020 at 4:09 PM

Sykes said "So on my commute today, I was a doing a lane change and almost rear-ended the vehicle in front of me mid-change because he slammed on his brakes to stop for a pedestrian that he didn't see (and yes, the person - a child - was in a designated crosswalk and already crossing.)

I don't know what needs to be done but crosswalks need to be marked far better than they are. This particular intersection (on Vic) didn't have any flashing lights, but even if it did, what we have in place now falls quite short compared to what I've seen in other major cities.

Drivers also need to make a habit to actually slow down and stop for pedestrians wanting to cross the street. Just yesterday, I saw a lady wanting to cross the street and cars just blew by without any regard for her.

But I do want to say one thing for pedestrians: you do have the right of way, but you also need to remember that the laws of physics also exist. Vehicles need space to come to a complete stop. Please don't just step onto the street and then get upset when a vehicle panic stops or honks at you. "
going across 18th to the Dollarama. it was safe to cross from south bound traffic. Once I got to the median, saw that the park lights had turned green and decided to wait before starting from the median. The black truck in the left north bound lane stopped as did the traffic behind it. so I started to cross, was being careful cause there was still the right lane of traffic. Someone started honking their horns which stopped me from stepping out, and as I stopped, a car in the right hand lane flew past me and just threw her hands up as she passed me. if the horns had not honked I would have been hit by her SUV and with the clip she was going would have threw me a good distance. She was not paying attention or she would have seen the long line of traffic stopped in the left lane. The cross walk doesn't have lights, but there is a sign showing it's a cross walk. That lady in the SUV was in the wrong. I did what everyone suggests, pay attention and proceed with caution. Sometimes, that just doesnt' matter. Thank you to those who did honk, cause without the honking I would have been seriously injured or worse.
my22cents
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 99

my22cents
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 99

good idea
2/7/2020 at 6:38 PM

lights on the signs closer to drivers eye level looks like a good idea, should increase notification to drivers but looking at the picture 4 of the signs and lights 20-40 thousand dollars seams high JMO
traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

:)
2/8/2020 at 3:34 PM

Sykes said "I should've mentioned that all this happened during the span of me completing a shoulder check during rush hour (which was mere moments). The flow of traffic was as such that there was an appropriate gap to take. It also didn't help that there was a snow pile that was hindering the view of the pedestrian (even more so for me as the vehicle following).

I am also aware that you can't change lanes in intersections (that's what the solid line is for ). Even on that note, the distance between intersections are fairly short and your window to legally change lanes is equally short.

Adam: Great to see those crossings in the works.

Next topic... Safety for cyclists sharing the road, haha. "
you are right there is a lot to watch for and not a lot of time to make a legal lane change, I assume thats why so many people ignore that rule. Pedestrians certainly should be smart about crossing too but we all know that people on both sides make mistakes and legally if they are in the crossing the driver is at "fault"

I do like the smaller lite crossing signs, we have one in town where I live and they are helpful IF the pedestrians use them. Hopefully if they are cheaper to install then more crossings will get them regardless we still need to be vigilant while driving so hopefully these reminders help
traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

traveller
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9145

:) :)
2/8/2020 at 3:48 PM

delpmb said ""Start using the button located on the boulevards in the middle of certain intersections to activate the lights before they proceed to cross the next two lanes. "

I really wonder why this button on the middle post exists. what is a pedestrian going to do .... stay in the middle of the road, camp on the median.... the whole point is to "cross the road" not stop in the middle

the initial button should activate both directional crossing lights

Also in the winter a person has to be really careful when pushing these buttons, because of the build up of snow and ice, very easy to lose ones footing and slide out into oncoming traffic

Edited by delpmb, 2020-02-07 11:17:22"
In practice I agree most times it is silly to have the two sides have separate lights but the reason is because when there is a Physical separation , like a cement median or large grassy area ect the two sides are treated like two separate roads, think of it like one way streets. The crossing on 18th at BU is too small and Im not really sure if most people crossing even realize that the lights on the other side dont activate at the same time. But if you think of Victoria west where the road is divided by a large grass meridian both sides of traffic do not need to stop at the same time to allow a pedestrian to cross so there separate lights would make more sense

think about this, The lighting configuration is in line with rules regarding stopping for school buses. If there is a physical separation of the roadway then only the side with the school bus stops, same with the separate lights

Of course laws are laws and no room for common sense so that is how Hiways has to configure the crossing too
Pasquale
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 389

Pasquale
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 389

today at 5
2/8/2020 at 5:43 PM

Travelling east on Richmond , coming up to the crosswalk on McDonald’s . Younger fella starts crossing ,,, didn’t push the button and had his face in his phone actually texting. I didn’t stop and Neither did anyone else. If the pedestrian won’t bother to help himself, then that’s between him and god. Of course I don’t mean that seriously but c’mon man!!
Exhausted
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1756

Exhausted
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1756

paying attention
2/11/2020 at 9:55 PM

auntieerica1984 said "we had the same problem yesterday at Rosser and 18th we were turning left off Rosser and two guys walked right in front of us - they had the walk sign but they still weren't paying attention to their surroundings. I agree they need to do something with crosswalks in Brandon. "
if they walked out in front of you when they had the walk sign: then sorry you weren't paying enough attention.
BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

It drives me nuts
2/14/2020 at 7:55 PM

Over the decades I've seen so many pedestrians on a regular basis just cross the street without even looking. Even right in front of me a short distance. It's like as if many of them don't care if they get hit by someone who doesn't see them in time or at all. It is completely opposite of what I was taught in school about safety and crossing roads, to always look out for vehicles and only cross when it's absolutely safe to do so. What happened to this younger generation? Do they think vehicles will ALWAYS see them and stop for them?
That's how accidents happen and I've seen it for myself when I was a young child... one child around my age not paying attention, running across the street only to get hit by a vehicle. It's a sight of horror for both the driver and the pedestrian, and the effects of being hit by a vehicle last for life for the victim. It's also a horror for others witnessing it, especially another child.
We all need to drive slower, especially in school zones, but also anywhere else where there could be any people crossing a road. I will never forget that nightmarish scene.
dueindecember
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 724

dueindecember
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 724

crosswalk at richmond
2/26/2020 at 9:40 AM

BabaLin said "Over the decades I've seen so many pedestrians on a regular basis just cross the street without even looking. Even right in front of me a short distance. It's like as if many of them don't care if they get hit by someone who doesn't see them in time or at all. It is completely opposite of what I was taught in school about safety and crossing roads, to always look out for vehicles and only cross when it's absolutely safe to do so. What happened to this younger generation? Do they think vehicles will ALWAYS see them and stop for them?
That's how accidents happen and I've seen it for myself when I was a young child... one child around my age not paying attention, running across the street only to get hit by a vehicle. It's a sight of horror for both the driver and the pedestrian, and the effects of being hit by a vehicle last for life for the victim. It's also a horror for others witnessing it, especially another child.
We all need to drive slower, especially in school zones, but also anywhere else where there could be any people crossing a road. I will never forget that nightmarish scene. "
the crosswalk sign at richmond and linden blvd has been broken for weeks. Who do i report it to?

its a busy crosswalk before and after school with linden lanes students and im shocked at the cars that speed up to beat the kids to the crosswalk or dont stop
loeog
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 914

loeog
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 914

I should post an opinion but the story is so strong
2/27/2020 at 10:17 PM

https://www.theloop.ca/ctvnews/if-you-drive-an-expensive-car-youre-probably-a-jerk-scientists-say/
frostbite
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 292

frostbite
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 292

.
2/27/2020 at 10:25 PM

I always glance at both sides at every intersection when I’m driving. I don’t care is it is a marked crosswalk or not: I wouldn’t be able to handle the trauma of hitting someone with my car. It doesn’t matter if I have the right of way or not: I am going to avoid watching a body fly off the hood of my vehicle.
BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

BabaLin
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 19

That
2/29/2020 at 10:38 PM

Replying to DUEINDECEMBER,
is horrible to see when people speed up to beat the pedestrians.
I'm sorry I don't know who you would report that to. Perhaps if you happen to get their license plate you could report it to police?

Edited by BabaLin, 2020-02-29 22:39:53
DLynn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 83

DLynn
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 83

Pedestrains
3/2/2020 at 9:22 AM

If they had the walk sign, then you had to be more aware of your surroundings.