The "Quick-Question" Thread- please see guidelines in 1st post

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Sliver

He's right, dude. You should always wait as it's way safer for the pedestrian.

Just so we're clear.

I'm driving North. There is a pedestrian directly in front of me.

You guys are worried that some car heading south, anywhere from 1 to 3 lanes away from me and at about a 45 degree angle from my line of vision, is going to cause me to hit the pedestrian that is directly in front of me, if he drives through the intersection after having waited for said pedestrian to get to my side of the road?

How about no.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Just so we're clear.

I'm driving North. There is a pedestrian directly in front of me.

You guys are worried that some car heading south, anywhere from 1 to 3 lanes away from me and at about a 45 degree angle from my line of vision, is going to cause me to hit the pedestrian that is directly in front of me, if he drives through the intersection after having waited for said pedestrian to get to my side of the road?

How about no.

Picture a busy four lane road like 14th st downtown. Quite a few of the intersections have crosswalks and no traffic lights. Quite a few people turn left.
If you're southbound in the right lane, and there's a vehicle stopped in the left lane up ahead, with his left signal on, you're just going to blow right past the guy because you figure he's waiting to turn left. If you see that the northbound cars are also stopped, you're much more likely to be cautious, and just as you stop, the pedestrian pops out from in front of the guy in the left lane. Instead of hitting her with your car, you get to watch her walk by, thanks to the tip off from stopped northbound cars that could have gone because the pedestrian was past their side of the street.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Picture a busy four lane road like 14th st downtown. Quite a few of the intersections have crosswalks and no traffic lights. Quite a few people turn left.
If you're southbound in the right lane, and there's a vehicle stopped in the left lane up ahead, with his left signal on, you're just going to blow right past the guy because you figure he's waiting to turn left. If you see that the northbound cars are also stopped, you're much more likely to be cautious, and just as you stop, the pedestrian pops out from in front of the guy in the left lane. Instead of hitting her with your car, you get to watch her walk by, thanks to the tip off from stopped northbound cars that could have gone because the pedestrian was past their side of the street.

What if there is no traffic in the other direction? The situation you're describing is all too common but I don't think it has anything to do with the cars on the other side of the intersection.

Furthermore, if I'm in the right lane and there is a left lane plus a turning lane, who says I'm going to even notice what cars on the other side of the median are doing 50 feet away and blocked my multiple cars on my side of the road?

Those situations will always be unsafe unless pedestrians are cautious or we put in the crosswalk lights above the intersection. It is even more unsafe in Calgary because if you're in the right lane and there is a giant truck or SUV in the left lane (as often happens) it is very difficult to see either the cars heading the opposite direction or the pedestrian who is blocked by the tank in the left lane.

I think that is why we need to get rid of the pedestrian right of way. As has been discussed at length people in Calgary have a special ability to just walk out into traffic, anytime and anywhere, without so much as glancing up to see if there are cars coming.


Not to mention that is only one possible scenario out of hundreds. What if I'm turning left and they are walking through the lane I want to turn into? Then there is absolutely no benefit to me waiting because there is no other traffic on the second half of the road. Those people are all sitting at a red light.

[Table 5]

It all depends on the situation and a little common sense. If I'm in the middle of nowhere and there's no traffic around, I almost never wait till the person is across the street. If things are busy and there are lot of blind spots for everyone involved, then yeah I'll wait.

A little common sense on the side of the pedestrian would also help. A lot of the times pedstrians just waddle across the street looking down at their phones, or assuming they are out for a stroll in the park, oblivious to anything around them. This situation is much more safe when every pedestrian out there has the mindset that every car is out there to kill them.

[Boshi]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I think that is why we need to get rid of the pedestrian right of way. As has been discussed at length people in Calgary have a special ability to just walk out into traffic, anytime and anywhere, without so much as glancing up to see if there are cars coming.

I've seen at least a couple hundred ppl, in my time living in Calgary, blatantly step out into the street staring right AT the oncoming car(s) and when a driver inevitably has to slam on her/her brakes--these ppl are either flippin' off the driver or screaming that they've got right of way.

It actually freaks me out when I see them do it.. mostly because I'd fear being smoked by some distracted driver or whatever.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It all depends on the situation and a little common sense. If I'm in the middle of nowhere and there's no traffic around, I almost never wait till the person is across the street. If things are busy and there are lot of blind spots for everyone involved, then yeah I'll wait.

A little common sense on the side of the pedestrian would also help. A lot of the times pedstrians just waddle across the street looking down at their phones, or assuming they are out for a stroll in the park, oblivious to anything around them. This situation is much more safe when every pedestrian out there has the mindset that every car is out there to kill them.

We have a winner!!!

Exactly. Although the instances of me thinking that going or not going after they've cleared my side of the road and it having any affect on their safety is pretty rare.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Boshi

I've seen at least a couple hundred ppl, in my time living in Calgary, blatantly step out into the street staring right AT the oncoming car(s) and when a driver inevitably has to slam on her/her brakes--these ppl are either flippin' off the driver or screaming that they've got right of way.

It actually freaks me out when I see them do it.. mostly because I'd fear being smoked by some distracted driver or whatever.

Yeah, it's pretty amazing how people will put themselves in danger just to prove a point. After having lived in a town where basically it's everyone for themselves when it comes to car/pedestrian relations, I much prefer that scenario where you KNOW a car won't stop for you. It clears up any gray areas and makes you hyperaware of your situation.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

You can't be serious.

Are you always a total dink? That's my question for this thread.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

What if there is no traffic in the other direction? The situation you're describing is all too common but I don't think it has anything to do with the cars on the other side of the intersection.

Furthermore, if I'm in the right lane and there is a left lane plus a turning lane, who says I'm going to even notice what cars on the other side of the median are doing 50 feet away and blocked my multiple cars on my side of the road?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There are millions of different possible scenarios. My point was that sometimes it is safer for the pedestrian if all the cars remain stopped until the person is on the other curb. Did you not understand that? What if a helicoptor is flying overhead and there's a woman on a balcony shaking out a rug? What if there's a cop in a donut shop across the street? What if I forgot to tie my shoe before I left for work? Sheesh.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by zamler

Are you always a total dink? That's my question for this thread.

He's not a total dink, he's one of those guys that just simply can't.be.wrong. Ever. And if it appears that he may be slightly wrong, he just argues in circles until the other person gives up.

[Top Shelf]

Are these "hail sales" worth it? Went on a tour of the NW auto mall this morning and there was mass destruction, but also hefty discounts. 18k off of a new Honda odyssey? Dunno, can anyone in the biz comment?

[normtwofinger]

Originally Posted by 4X4

He's not a total dink, he's one of those guys that just simply can't.be.wrong. Ever. And if it appears that he may be slightly wrong, he just argues in circles until the other person gives up.

It's quite annoying, in fact, it's a gear grinder.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by zamler

Are you always a total dink? That's my question for this thread.

Yes.

Originally Posted by 4X4

Yeah, yeah, yeah. There are millions of different possible scenarios. My point was that sometimes it is safer for the pedestrian if all the cars remain stopped until the person is on the other curb. Did you not understand that? What if a helicoptor is flying overhead and there's a woman on a balcony shaking out a rug? What if there's a cop in a donut shop across the street? What if I forgot to tie my shoe before I left for work? Sheesh.

No reason to get all pissy. Did you read what Zamler wrote? There is enough hyperbole in that post to make even me blush and I use hyperbole like nobody's business. I certainly wasn't trying to start a debate about the million different scenarios where it could be safer to stop. It isn't a black and white issue.

Originally Posted by 4X4

He's not a total dink, he's one of those guys that just simply can't.be.wrong. Ever. And if it appears that he may be slightly wrong, he just argues in circles until the other person gives up.

I'm wrong quite frequently. I just don't like dealing in absolutes.

Originally Posted by normtwofinger

It's quite annoying, in fact, it's a gear grinder.

I may be a dink but it always amazes me how angry people get when others don't share their opinion, including myself.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

I may be a dink but it always amazes me how angry people get when others don't share their opinion, including myself.

You think that's it...?

That's not it.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

You think that's it...?

That's not it.

Think what is it? Why he doesn't like me? No that's probably because I'm crass, stubborn and argumentative and a bunch of other things.

[Rerun]

The internet encourages people to be dinks. I think its the annonymity factor. People will say things in writing to others that they wouldn't say in person.

In person physical violence has a way of moderating bad behaviour.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Rerun

The internet encourages people to be dinks. I think its the annonymity factor. People will say things in writing to others that they wouldn't say in person.

In person physical violence has a way of moderating bad behaviour.

Bike racks 3:15.

Seriously though I don't think it is the threat of violence. I think it is that the levels of politeness are always in person>>>telephone>>>electronic communication.

Add in the fact that it is anonymous and it is much easier to be a dink.

[4X4]

Aw, I never said I didn't like you, Cecil.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Rerun

In person physical violence has a way of moderating bad behaviour.

You're the worst internet tough guy.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I'll just apologize now for derailing this and making yet another thread about my posting habits.