Do pedestrians have a responsibility as well?

Question

In some, if not most states a vehicle is to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Shouldn't then a pedestrian be asked to cross in a reasonable amount of time? I am not saying that a pedestrian need run through a crosswalk, but they should focus on what is going on around them and not cause a delay in traffic.

Answer 1

YES! We are all pedestrians at some point...and most of us are drivers too...nothing more annoying then waiting for a pedestrian that seems to dilly-dally on purpose.  

(exceptions of course to the elderly and other-abled people)

Answer 2

Pedestrians should always pay attention when they cross the road and try to cross in a reasonable amount of time (if possible).  Too many people just assume cars will stop, and that's just stupid.  

A friend of mine almost hit two people dressed in all black walking SLOWLY across the road in the middle of the night.  After he slammed on his breaks, one glared at him and the other didnt even notice because she was on the cell phone.

Answer 3

If you check your State Traffic Act, you will probably find that there are indeed "Pedestrian Rules" listed.

Most laws regarding any traffic, whether it is boating, aircraft flight rules, etc......state that the vehicle/operator/pilot/whatever, with the least power has the most right of way..........pedestrians have the right of way, although I do feel that more of these "j-walking" laws should be enforced to encourage pedestrians to be safer, as well as drivers.

Bottom line, you always have to wait for that elderly, or i-pod donning, or handicapped, or otherwise pre-occupied person to get across the road before you move forward.........yes, I agree.......THINK AND DRIVE, THINK AND WALK, THINK AND TALK,  etc. etc.

I think in general, that drivers find pedestrians an inconvience and also that pedestrians find drivers inconvenient too. We all have our own agenda and want to get our next mission accomplished......such is life!

I think the average driver would regret hitting a kid on a bike because he/she didn't shoulder check, or hitting a pedestrian because they were in an anxious state of mind at that particular moment, don't you?

We are all human, and as such, we all make errors in judgement, or become pre-occupied at an inopportune moment. That includes both drivers and pedestrians........self-discipline is tough!

Answer 4

Yes they do and yes they should move along and not cause traffic problems but remember that the pedestrian is 99.9 percent of the time is always right.....................

Answer 5

The old rule of thumb for pedestrians was - 'do not cross until it is safe'...That meant those afoot should only cross a street when doing so will not interrupt the flow of traffic or if a motorist has stopped already to allow crossing...Peds should be extra alert on multi-lane roads where traffic on the inside lanes have stopped, but there is no sign of traffic on the outside lanes...Those in the outside lane often wonder why vehicles are stopped and then flash across the ped zone...All parties gotta be heads-up.