I guess that is a big question around here. It seems that drivers in C-Ville are not clear on the rules about running down pedestrians. Thus, the new signs that have been rapidly appearing over the past two weeks. I’m giving the sign about two weeks before it has been taken out by a car.
Click for larger image.
Now, what are the rules for people on bikes? Are they fair game?
The new signs are terrific and they will make a difference. These signs first appeared around UVa about a year ago. Some police enforcement of traffic laws would help too. Right now there is virtually zero. For that we can thank Sgt. Farrugio and his traffic predecessor, Ronnie Roberts.
In some cities there are signs at the intersections that say “drivers turning right on red must yield to pedestrians”. These help to get drivers to actually stop at red lights before making right turns,at least when there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk. I tried to get the city to put them up but Lonnie Randall, the traffic signal supervisor refused to consider them. He said that there would be too many signs at the intersections and it would confuse drivers. I’d like to hear what he has to say about these new signs. Are they confusing?
Aubrey Watts, the city’s director of economic development, was the city manager inVirginia Beach years ago when such signs were first installed there. He agreed that they worked but he never did anything to help get them here. Maybe he was too busy working on the pavillion.
I agree, the signs are a very good addition. If anyone finds them confusing the community is in deep trouble. Now motorists, be sure to look past your cell phone while driving along the roads.
There’s actually a group of traffic usability folks, particularly in Europe, who believe in the opposite approach: remove all traffic signage.
Here’s the link to the Wired story on this:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/traffic.html
I was crossing at that exact intersection the other day. Even with the sign there, some pickup-driving motorist didn’t even slow down and I clearly had the right of way.
The rule is simple. Once a pedestrian steps onto the marked crosswalk area they have the right of way. If they stand there staring into space like an idiot they are to be ignored. If you stop to let them pass and hey take their old sweet time to meander across, you may run them down, old ladies and parents with toddlers excepted.
And of course, any fool on a bike from Belmont is worth an extra 100 points.
I do wonder how many pedestrians realize that they do not have right of way in a crosswalk, when crossing against a light, in an intersection regulated by a traffic light. Being in the crosswalk isn’t magic. You absolutely have right of way in a crosswalk at an intersection unregulated by a light. You have right of way in a regulated intersection, when crossing WITH the light, over any cars attempting to turn into your path. So, my crossing the street takes precedence over your green light right-turn into my path. But trying to cross in a crosswalk across traffic traveling under a green light? Nobody has to yield to your suicidal attempts at crossing. In fact, according to state law, it’s the pedestrian who is wrong, there. Particularly in a college town, I think one probably ought to just suck it up and yield to the lunatics crossing against a light. It’s more important to save lives, than to be right. But it irks when people think that they can step into traffic, against a light, just because there happens to be a crosswalk there.
I’m glad they’ve put up the signs. People absolutely ignor the right of way of pedestirans at unregulated intersections. If those people need a “YIELD, you moron!” reminder, I’d just as soon they get it. Until all the signs are mowed down, of course. On that, you are most certainly correct, Doc.
ThatGrrl,
Just about ten minutes ago I was sitting in my car at a red light at Locust and East High. That intersection has WALK signals. A young woman with a dog ignored the light and started across the intersection. She was almost in front of my car when the light turned green. She spoke up and said to me, “Excuse us!” and then she walked in front of me. I sat there and let her pass, the light was green and I did resent her behavior but I wasn’t about to run her over. I wish I had said, “Please help drivers to learn to respect pedestrians by obeying the lights.” I ddn’t say anything though, and just sucked it up.
I feel your pain, Kevin. It happens to me, too. All. The. Time. And I hardly ever drive! I walk everywhere. Living and working on the downtown mall, I pretty much drive to get groceries, once a week. Period. Maybe they should run a story or two, in association with the new signage, to educate both drivers AND pedestrians as to what their rights and responsibilities are. Both sides could use to have their memories rebooted.
I think that a lot of people know the laws and choose to ignore them. An aggressive, well publicized pedestrian safety campaign by the police would help. One of the best traffic safety education tools is a ticket with a fine and increased insurance premium. I have suggested such a campaign but the police have no interest. It’s ironic that we hear so much talk about “pedestrian friendly development” from the City Council and the Board of Supervisors and yet simple, inexpensive, and effective steps by the police, and public works and planning departments never seem to happen. The new signs are a refreshing exception.