Walking across your green light.

Jefenator · #1 12-29-2009, 02:32 AM

Is it just me or is it the new "cool" thing for certain pedestrians to start crossing the street right after the opposing cars' light has turned green?

It always just kills me. If cutting off a bunch of people, who have dutifully been waiting a few minutes or more for their turn, isn't the very definition of "douchebag", I don't know what is.

I'm not normally one to "narc" on folks, but I would LOVE to see the cops do some of their sting operations for this. (Long as they don't pop me & other more considerate jaywalkers.

)

RWP · #2 12-29-2009, 11:46 AM

I think they are basically saying "I dare you to hit me." There are groups of kids near where I live that will cross the road, no cross walk, as if there is no traffic. I guess you either stop or hit them, they don't seem to care.

LiquidMidnight · #3 12-29-2009, 12:13 PM

I always try to be a respectful pedestrian and even will usually find a way to give up my right away to make it easier for motorists. Some pedestrians are totally inconsiderate. I especially hate driving in parking lots.

darkfinger · #4 12-29-2009, 12:17 PM

meh, most pedestrians will move if you lightly tap them with your car.

L-A · #5 12-29-2009, 12:22 PM

Opposing, as in parallel or perpendicular?

A green light for cars is a green light for pedestrians, around here.

Pilgrim · #6 12-29-2009, 12:25 PM

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Cars are bigger than people.

No matter how much attitude you have or badass you think you are, the first idiot driver talking on their cell phone can turn you into strawberry jam.

Darwinism at work, that's whatitis.

Disraeli Gears · #7 12-29-2009, 12:33 PM

I saw a CAR do exactly that recently. I was approaching the intersection of a very busy street (especially around that time of day) and I was the first in my lane. The light turned yellow a bit too soon, so I stopped, and so did the car next to me. As soon as the light turned red, the car next to me (who had stopped) slammed the gas and plowed right through the light (and there were a LOT of cars waiting to go on the cross street).

The ironic part is that they stopped at the next light and waited for it to turn green- and by the time I had gotten there it had just turned. I ended up going through the green light at full speed and they had to accelerate up from a stop, so I came out ahead of them.

Pilgrim · #8 12-29-2009, 12:35 PM

That's something the pedestrians don't think about - if a car comes up to an open intersection and hits it green, they don't slow down. I know I don't. If I can time the light to hit it green, I'm cruising!

UncleFluffy · #9 12-29-2009, 12:41 PM

Don't get me started on cyclists running reds and stop signs...

ogrossman · #10 12-29-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

... I especially hate driving in parking lots.

I was backing out of a parking space once, just starting to press the accelerator, and this guy steps right behind my car from out of nowhere. After I backed out of my space I pulled up next to him, rolled down my window and asked him if he'd seen my back up lights before he stepped behind my moving car? He said "Yeah, but you looked like an intelligent young man". I told him he didn't and I drove away.

UncleFluffy · #11 12-29-2009, 01:04 PM

It might be a state-by-state thing but my understanding is that pedestrians have right-of-way in parking lots. That's not to say it's not stupid to walk behind a moving car but it's not quite the same as them crossing on a red.

Jefenator · #12 12-29-2009, 01:08 PM

Opposing as in perpendicular, as in definitely not their time.

(Parallel can be a drag when a car is trying to turn, but I know that can't be helped.)

Around here I notice a few different types doing it. You got the punks who think they're too "awesome" for courtesy. And then there's the tourists who are apparently trying to also be on vacation from the laws of physics.

I mean, I'll jaywalk and roll thru stop signs on my bicycle. But never when there's cars around.

MJ5150 · #13 12-29-2009, 01:11 PM

I don't get it.

-Mike

ogrossman · #14 12-29-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

pedestrians have right-of-way in parking lots...

I never implied for a second that he was in the wrong, only that he wasn't intelligent.

If felt otherwise I'd have been pulling out of my parking space much more quickly and I would have run over his stupid a**.

Pilgrim · #15 12-29-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

I told him he didn't and I drove away.

Your comment was both accurate and a model of moderation.

MJ5150 · #16 12-29-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleFluffy

It might be a state-by-state thing but my understanding is that pedestrians have right-of-way in parking lots.

Things that are lawful are not always advantageous.

-Mike

Gard · #17 12-29-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Darwinism at work, that's whatitis.

"Think of it as evolution in action."

10 Roscoe points to whomever can correctly identify the original source of that quote.

Gard · #18 12-29-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Things that are lawful are not always advantageous.

-Mike

Making STUPID legal in no way makes it less STUPID.

MJ5150 · #19 12-29-2009, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

"Think of it as evolution in action."

10 Roscoe points to whomever can correctly identify the original source of that quote.

According to Wikipedia...Oath of Fealty.

-Mike

Gard · #20 12-29-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

According to Wikipedia...Oath of Fealty.

-Mike

Cheater.

OK, you get FIVE Roscoe points, because you used Wikipedia.

Next person that can name, without reference to search engines or Wiki assistance, the authorS of this book, you get the other five points.