Crossing rules!!! - Stupid question :)

Question

I am so curious to know, why do people drive through when some one is crossing the road. I mean, if the signal is red and blinking it means that I can still cross with caution, but I just have some people drive right when I am crossing. Am I wrong to cross the road when the red light is blinking?

Answer 1

Very simple....you ar right and alot of people dont understand the rules of the roads..........

Answer 2

lets look realistic.

you as the pedistrian will always see yourself as having right of way.

however if u look at it from a drivers perspective, they have a green light they can go.

so technicall both people are not in the wrong. its just both people want to do what they want to do

Answer 3

for your own safety you should wait for the lights to be red.

Answer 4

that red flashing man is to let you know to finish crossing with caution and stop if you have not crossed yet. you may only start to cross a road on the green man. mind you, the pedestria has right of way so they must let you cross or get in a lot of trouble when they hit you.

hope this helps.

Answer 5

blinking red means do not start to cross, only finnish crossing, if there is a pedestrian island in the middle of the road then you must wait there before proceding, drivers must know the highway code! unfortunatly pedestrians can be as stupid as they like!

Answer 6

Red with blinking is a warning that it will turn solid red.  You are correct you have the right of way...

BUT !!!!!

That means little when you are in the hospital (and possible in grave danger).  So please be careful anyway.

good Luck...

Answer 7

Laws vary from state to state, but in mine (NY) the pedestrian has the right of way when:

1. They are not crossing against the signal.  

2. They have already entered a crosswalk (from either direction)

Lacking a crosswalk, or crossing against the signal, the pedestrian does not automatically assume the right of way.  At a blinking red light, a motorist is obliged to make a full stop.  During this period, the pedestrian entering the crosswalk and clearly has the right of way.

Crosswalks are placed where they are to optimize visibility.  Crossing elsewhere and even if you have the right of way, you assume the risk of being struck.    

In any case, the laws of physics supersede the laws of every state, and regardless of whether you have the right of way, it hurts to get struck by a vehicle.  You should use common sense and assume that every driver out there has a blind sport that includes you, and cross accordingly.

Answer 8

Go kimba, you have it! (my vote).

If the red is already flashing, you don't leave the kerbside. If it begins flashing as you are crossing, you finish crossing smartly. The time interval is such as to allow pedestrians to safely complete their traverse.

If you are following these rules, even if you have not completed your crossing for some reason, you will at least be almost there, and traffic getting the green will have a far better chance of seeing you anyway.

You can be fined if seen to leave the kerb on a flashing red.

As a pedestrian, you still have "right of way" in the crossing. But what is the use of this, if you are bowled over by that Mack truck doing the right turn?

If you follow the rules, you won't have a problem.

Answer 9

I think there is some confusing here when you say red light blinking

now do mean the walk signal? or do you mean the traffic signal?

if the traffic signal controling that crosss walk cars are suppose to stop

(like a stop sign and check to see if the coast is clear) (the walk sign should say walk (or have that green man)

if you mean the dont walk sign is flashing it means dont crosss

Answer 10

The whole pedestrian having the right of way is a crock of Bull5hit

Answer 11

umm depends.  if it has just changed from green to red then yea i reckon so or like if peope who crossed on the green are still crossing then yeh if you walk fast.  but either way the drivers shouldn't be running you down and if they hit you then whether or not your're on a crossing they are in the wrong.  i can't recall places where crossing lights arent used with traffic lights, so in that instant that cars should be moving anyway as their light should be red !!  -- at the same time i guess you shouldnt be crossing if you aren't going to make it, just press the button and start the process over again :P  

Answer 12

Yes, unless you commenced crossing before the light started to blink red, you may complete your crossing but must stop at any safety zone or median strip until such time as the light turns to green.

Answer 13

I might be wrong, but I was under the impression when the red light begins to blink it means not to start to cross as time is running out, although pedestrians are supposed to always have the right of way.

I think people are becoming more rude and ignorant when driving cars though, like when it rains, i think it is common courtesy to let pedestrians cross, although I seem to be the only one!

I would certainly be careful because even if you do have the right away, unfortunately cars don't get hurt, pedestrians do