Discussions

Seen another one yesterday day at cross walk between the lights. I have seen lots there. I wonder how many happen there a year. I think they should put up cross walk lights or a walk way up over the road. I have had close calls there when you are few cars back and everyone hits there brakes quickly..

When traffic is doing 50km and someone crossing thinks it's a good idea to cross when traffic is 10 feet away.

are careless dreamer drivers and also pedestrians that do not look.  
When I bike or walk I look and check around me because I am the one that will end up underneath a vehicle if something happens.  
 
Edited by 1 chance, 2015-08-16 10:20:25

It is the drivers that are following too close that cause the problems. The solution for me is to slow down even further if I am the vehicle in front to reduce the risk of being rear ended.  
 
I find most pedestrians wait for traffic, but when one vehicle stops, the other drivers are not paying attention. My solution is to be aware of the possibility that there is a pedestrian wanting to cross. I start my stopping gently as soon as possible, pumping the brakes to flash my light at the driver behind me. Because there are two lanes, and I am often in the right hand lane, I lower my driver window and put my hand out to warn the drivers in the left hand lane that there is a pedestrian about to cross. With my right hand, I cover the horn, ready to use it to warn the driver and the passenger if a collision appears to be a possibility.  
 
If there is a Yahoo behind me, I will sound my horn to alert the pedestrian that I am unable to stop safely. This sound should hopefully alert the driver behind me so that they can stop and let the pedestrian cross.  
 
The bottom line is that it is the drivers that are too busy doing other stuff when they should be focussing on driving and road safety. Being able to maneuver a vehicle around is only a small part of being a driver. Being aware of what is happening on the road and sidewalks is a far greater task when behind the steering wheel.  
 
A pedestrian overpass will not work. To get enough rise to clear the truck route traffic, it would have to start in Clark Hall and end past Marlin Travel. Who would be responsible for keeping the ice and snow off of it. To clear the trucks, even a series of steps and landings would double or triple the effort required meaning that it would not be used very often, given that there is a flashing crosswalk at the next intersection. A six million dollar overpass at Lorne Avenue would still mean traffic stopping at Louise Avenue. It would mean more pedestrians at Louise Avenue actually because I would not be one of the ones climbing up and down fifty plus steps just because the drivers think that what they are doing while behind the steering wheel is more important than my walking safely.  
 
The charges have to be made more sever for following too close, even if it means losing their drivers license.  
 

katwalk1909 said "It is the drivers that are following too close that cause the problems. The solution for me is to slow down even further if I am the vehicle in front to reduce the risk of being rear ended.     I find most pedestrians wait for traffic, but when one vehicle stops, the other drivers are not paying attention. My solution is to be aware of the possibility that there is a pedestrian wanting to cross. I start my stopping gently as soon as possible, pumping the brakes to flash my light at the driver behind me. Because there are two lanes, and I am often in the right hand lane, I lower my driver window and put my hand out to warn the drivers in the left hand lane that there is a pedestrian about to cross. With my right hand, I cover the horn, ready to use it to warn the driver and the passenger if a collision appears to be a possibility.     If there is a Yahoo behind me, I will sound my horn to alert the pedestrian that I am unable to stop safely. This sound should hopefully alert the driver behind me so that they can stop and let the pedestrian cross.     The bottom line is that it is the drivers that are too busy doing other stuff when they should be focussing on driving and road safety. Being able to maneuver a vehicle around is only a small part of being a driver. Being aware of what is happening on the road and sidewalks is a far greater task when behind the steering wheel.     A pedestrian overpass will not work. To get enough rise to clear the truck route traffic, it would have to start in Clark Hall and end past Marlin Travel. Who would be responsible for keeping the ice and snow off of it. To clear the trucks, even a series of steps and landings would double or triple the effort required meaning that it would not be used very often, given that there is a flashing crosswalk at the next intersection. A six million dollar overpass at Lorne Avenue would still mean traffic stopping at Louise Avenue. It would mean more pedestrians at Louise Avenue actually because I would not be one of the ones climbing up and down fifty plus steps just because the drivers think that what they are doing while behind the steering wheel is more important than my walking safely.     The charges have to be made more sever for following too close, even if it means losing their drivers license.     "

Too many accidents caused by carelessness. Katwalk, possibly you should take your test again. Directing traffic and pedestians is not a good idea. One hand out the window and the other hand on the horn, seems not safe. I find things go better when i worry about what i can control and that is my driving. Have a great day.

I am not directing traffic but indicating my intentions so the other drivers have a better chance of being aware that they should be stopping. Rather than relying on the proven fact that many drivers need additional signals to prevent an accident, I provide them whenever the situation arises.  
 
Too often, I have seen drivers stop for a pedestrian as they are about to make a right turn. Drivers in the left lane whiz by without slowing for the vehicle making a right turn ... because there was no indication that the vehicle was first stopping for a pedestrian and then a right turn.  
 
Making other drivers aware of something unusual is the responsibility of all drivers.  

Being aware of your surroundings is the responsibility of all drivers. Everyone knows that there is a crosswalk there. If someone in the right lane is slowing, its the person in the left lane's responsibility to anticipate a pedestrian.  
 
Signalling either with your hands or with your horn is extremely reckless and will cause nothing but confusion. I'm going to have to agree and would suggest reconsidering your actions at that intersection. Not feeling that you can stop, blasting your horn and going through the cross walk sounds like grounds for a ticket.

katwalk1909 said "It is the drivers that are following too close that cause the problems. The solution for me is to slow down even further if I am the vehicle in front to reduce the risk of being rear ended.     I find most pedestrians wait for traffic, but when one vehicle stops, the other drivers are not paying attention. My solution is to be aware of the possibility that there is a pedestrian wanting to cross. I start my stopping gently as soon as possible, pumping the brakes to flash my light at the driver behind me. Because there are two lanes, and I am often in the right hand lane, I lower my driver window and put my hand out to warn the drivers in the left hand lane that there is a pedestrian about to cross. With my right hand, I cover the horn, ready to use it to warn the driver and the passenger if a collision appears to be a possibility.     If there is a Yahoo behind me, I will sound my horn to alert the pedestrian that I am unable to stop safely. This sound should hopefully alert the driver behind me so that they can stop and let the pedestrian cross.     The bottom line is that it is the drivers that are too busy doing other stuff when they should be focussing on driving and road safety. Being able to maneuver a vehicle around is only a small part of being a driver. Being aware of what is happening on the road and sidewalks is a far greater task when behind the steering wheel.     A pedestrian overpass will not work. To get enough rise to clear the truck route traffic, it would have to start in Clark Hall and end past Marlin Travel. Who would be responsible for keeping the ice and snow off of it. To clear the trucks, even a series of steps and landings would double or triple the effort required meaning that it would not be used very often, given that there is a flashing crosswalk at the next intersection. A six million dollar overpass at Lorne Avenue would still mean traffic stopping at Louise Avenue. It would mean more pedestrians at Louise Avenue actually because I would not be one of the ones climbing up and down fifty plus steps just because the drivers think that what they are doing while behind the steering wheel is more important than my walking safely.     The charges have to be made more sever for following too close, even if it means losing their drivers license.     "

If your left hand is out the driver window and your right hand is on your horn, what control do you have over your vehicle if it is rear-ended? With no hands on the steering wheel, your car can potentially become a vehicular menace if you are no longer in care & control of it. Depending on the speed of the vehicle behind you, this could be a deadly mistake.  
 
When we are at that crosswalk or any uncontrolled crossing, we wait for a clearing in traffic. Solves the problem for us. We don't risk getting hit and we aren't the reason for any accidents.  
 
 
 
 
 
Edited by Hackeda, 2015-08-16 16:22:15