Crosswalks 101
The Santa Rosa Press- Democrat's Road Warrior column has some pertinent information this morning on driver and pedestrian laws relating to crosswalks. Among all the chatter I've been reading here and elsewhere regarding vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents I've heard at least a few saying drivers shouldn't enter a crosswalk when a pedestrian in one. I wasn't sure if that was true or not. It didn't make sense to me.
Apparently it's not completely true. According to the Santa Rosa Police Dept., you can turn through a crosswalk before and even after the pedestrian passes by you "...as long as the driver of a vehicle does not impede the stride of the pedestrian". Makes sense to me. RW then goes on to list some things drivers can't do such as passing a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
I'm sure such laws are subject to local agency interpretation. Wonder what Eureka P.D. would say if asked that question?
Not sure if strict observance to such laws could have prevented the tragic pedestrian fatality at Buhne and S Streets in Eureka a few days ago. Accidents happen regardless of how well everyone tries to pay attention and follow laws. The exact cause of that accident hasn't been released yet but I suspect Connie is right and the driver was blinded by the sun and didn't see the lady.
The bottom line, as I've pointed out here before, is the last line of defense for pedestrians is never assuming a driver will see you and stop, regardless of what laws may be there to protect you. And, no, I'm not "taking the driver's side". That's just the way it is.
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A classic example of the "they'll stop" mindset occurred a few weeks ago in Santa Rosa. A legally blind older lady was crossing the street in the crosswalk. For whatever reason, a driver didn't see her and hit her. The lady, though legally blind, could see. She said she saw the car approaching but "....thought he would stop". She was wrong, but lived.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 7:57 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
"Henchman Of Justice" says,
It is true that vehicles must yield to a pedestrian once that pedestrian is "within a marked cross-walk".
No markings, run over the pedestrian. If the pedstrian wants to be an ass an delay traffic, then whiz by 'em in a threatening manner.
It takes two to tango, and when a pedestrian has the opportunity to wait until traffic clears, but chooses to stop all traffic intentionally to disrupt, screw that pedestrian too!
Crosswalks anywhere along 4th or 5th Street should be all closed until elevated crosswalk structures can be built! Or, build a fricken bypass!
A major HWY through Eureka is a detriment. - HOJ
The most telling statement in your post: "I'm sure such laws are subject to local agency interpretation. Wonder what Eureka P.D. would say if asked that question?"
The obvious answer is in the "de facto" reality. If don't know what "de facto" means, look it up.
You can't see pedestrians legally crossing the street when you make it a practice of not stopping and looking both ways. The EPD are some of the worst offenders.
The criminal drivers are breaking the LAW - not some trivial "take it or leave it" rule. When you deliberately run a stop sign, you intend to hurt and damage someone or something. NO ACCIDENT!
When you deliberately run a stop sign, you intend to hurt and damage someone or something. NO ACCIDENT!
I can't think of any instances, at least locally, where someone deliberately ran a stop sign.
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