While biking or walking, do you cut cars off in the crosswalk when they dont stop?

Question

After I wait a second for some cars that cant stop . . .

At a crosswalk where there are two lanes and a middle turning lane, I always have to start going while cars are still coming, and then I just go right into the far lane when drivers are trying to just blow right by me . .. . do you have trouble getting people to stop? Cop cars don't even stop! Visibility is fine . . . are people just too agressive not to stop?

Answer 1

You cannot cross until it is safe to do so. Otherwise, you're jaywalking. All a crosswalk does is provide a designated place for pedestrians to cross. You cannot just walk into traffic.

Stephen is wrong about California law. The law, which is virtually identical in all 50 states, states:

"No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk" (California Vehicle Code, Sect. 21950(b)).

Answer 2

I agree with the above law but at the same time all vehicles must watch out for pedestrians all of the time.

Other than that most drivers just don't care in my opinion.

Answer 3

I believe so.

Answer 4

Ryan's first paragraph is wrong, at least in California.  

1. As noted in the quotation in his third paragraph, it is only illegal if you do it "suddenly".  Obviously, you cannot run in front of a car when there is no time for it to stop, but you do not have to wait for a break in traffic long enough for it to be safe for the cars to ignore you.  You can -- in a non-sudden manner -- enter any time that the cars will be able to safely avoid hitting you (without hitting each other or driving off the road).  They are required to yield to you, not the other way around.

2. "Pedestrians have the right of way at corners with or without traffic lights, whether or not the crosswalks are marked by painted white lines...  A crosswalk is that part of the pavement where the sidewalk lines would extend across the street and it is set aside for pedestrian traffic. Every intersection has a pedestrian crosswalk whether or not there are painted lines on the street. Most crosswalks are at corners but they can also be in the middle of the block. Before turning a corner, watch for people about to cross the street. Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks."

Answer 5

You cross on green and stop on red. If there is no light you should have the right-of-way in a marked crosswalk, but it's not honored in many places.

Answer 6

Try common sense.  If you were the driver and someone walked in front of your car, could you stop?  Consider a thing called stopping distance and remember

    if in doubt,

     wait it out.

It's your life, who cares who right if your injured.

Answer 7

Cars and internet. People get in or on the other and they think they can do anything!