I was a ped for years. As I work further away now, I drive more.Hate to break it to ya, a lot of these accidents are the pedestrian's fault. People walk across major US highways, 5+ lanes, in the middle of 50mph traffic without giving 2 shakes about what the cars are doing. I was pulling out of a restaurant last week, pitch black outside, a guy wearing dark clothes was just standing in the median lane. If I had been making a left turn I'd have hit him, no way to see someone like that when they're at a bad angle from your headlights.A month earlier there was a little family of bicyclists riding down the road, except they were weaving back and forth casually between both lanes. Not exactly peds, but not far from it. Some people just have no concept of danger.As a pedestrian you can survive a lot longer if you stick to places with crossing signals and plan your routes accordingly. If you're a parent, stress that fact. If a ped gets into an accident with a car, the car will win. They're not superman, the car won't magically mold around them. If you're a parent and give a rat's ass about your kids, you really should stress "CROSSWALKS, CROSSING SIGNALS, DON'T WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD." But if you're like most, you won't, and they'll just blunder along and get lucky until someday... splat they go.
I think it's the Latin culture that results in terrible driving. I'm Latino and I have to admit most of us drive like maniacs(fortunately I lived most of my life in Canada so I don't drive very aggressively all things considered). Seriously, south of the border their are almost no rules when driving. No lanes, running through stop signs, and cutting people off are absolutely normal behaviours for the typical Latino driver. I've lived in Mexico(Toluca), Colombia(Bogota), and Uruguay(Montevideo) so I've seen a fairly wide spectrum of Latin driving. 8PThese Latino's come to North America and start driving like s**t. Normally fines can quickly correct their bad driving, however, in some places like Miami where Latinos become the majority then it starts to degrade. 8P
I live in Atlanta. The road with the highest concentration of carless immigrants, Buford Highway, has virtually no crosswalks and a speed limit of 45 mph. People risk their lives every time they try to get to a bus stop.
No, not whoosh at all. I know exactly what Benny meant, and if it was a joke it didn't work. Traffic is bad, but only in certain areas and usually during rush hour or if there's construction. And Manhattan is the only city I know where you can go 50 mph downtown and not get ticketed (because the cops had other things to deal with). I assume neither one of you actually lives in NYC.
I take the Tri-Rail, the not-so-dinky commuter rail that takes you from Miami to West Palm. It really could be better, however, if folks out west could have timely and decent transpo TO the Tri-Rail.
The city is beautiful, but try crossing the streets around Ledsplein: Bikes use pedestrian sidewalks if they need it, trams are passing quite close to you around the shops (however trams are the least of your concern they're cautious and slow) and, at least around Station Centraal, if bike riders were in a rush they just ignored the pedestrian lights and passed quickly in front of you. So, many times I was checking if there was a bike on my way before crossing the main streets. Of course, the solution is just get a bike and then be merry!
laurenelderNov 11, 2009
Ha - I was looking for Atlanta. Knew it'd be on that list somewhere. No one walks here, everyone drives. Pedestrians are out of sight and out of mind.
aaroncoNov 12, 2009
I was a ped for years. As I work further away now, I drive more.Hate to break it to ya, a lot of these accidents are the pedestrian's fault. People walk across major US highways, 5+ lanes, in the middle of 50mph traffic without giving 2 shakes about what the cars are doing. I was pulling out of a restaurant last week, pitch black outside, a guy wearing dark clothes was just standing in the median lane. If I had been making a left turn I'd have hit him, no way to see someone like that when they're at a bad angle from your headlights.A month earlier there was a little family of bicyclists riding down the road, except they were weaving back and forth casually between both lanes. Not exactly peds, but not far from it. Some people just have no concept of danger.As a pedestrian you can survive a lot longer if you stick to places with crossing signals and plan your routes accordingly. If you're a parent, stress that fact. If a ped gets into an accident with a car, the car will win. They're not superman, the car won't magically mold around them. If you're a parent and give a rat's ass about your kids, you really should stress "CROSSWALKS, CROSSING SIGNALS, DON'T WALK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD." But if you're like most, you won't, and they'll just blunder along and get lucky until someday... splat they go.
mrsteamtankNov 12, 2009
I think it's the Latin culture that results in terrible driving. I'm Latino and I have to admit most of us drive like maniacs(fortunately I lived most of my life in Canada so I don't drive very aggressively all things considered). Seriously, south of the border their are almost no rules when driving. No lanes, running through stop signs, and cutting people off are absolutely normal behaviours for the typical Latino driver. I've lived in Mexico(Toluca), Colombia(Bogota), and Uruguay(Montevideo) so I've seen a fairly wide spectrum of Latin driving. 8PThese Latino's come to North America and start driving like s**t. Normally fines can quickly correct their bad driving, however, in some places like Miami where Latinos become the majority then it starts to degrade. 8P
aesthetigeekNov 12, 2009
I live in Atlanta. The road with the highest concentration of carless immigrants, Buford Highway, has virtually no crosswalks and a speed limit of 45 mph. People risk their lives every time they try to get to a bus stop.
roebeetNov 12, 2009
No, not whoosh at all. I know exactly what Benny meant, and if it was a joke it didn't work. Traffic is bad, but only in certain areas and usually during rush hour or if there's construction. And Manhattan is the only city I know where you can go 50 mph downtown and not get ticketed (because the cops had other things to deal with). I assume neither one of you actually lives in NYC.
soshorerejectNov 12, 2009
I take the Tri-Rail, the not-so-dinky commuter rail that takes you from Miami to West Palm. It really could be better, however, if folks out west could have timely and decent transpo TO the Tri-Rail.
santixxNov 12, 2009
Buenos Aires or any other Argentine city. Nobody respects a f**king law.
roberto8080Nov 13, 2009
The city is beautiful, but try crossing the streets around Ledsplein: Bikes use pedestrian sidewalks if they need it, trams are passing quite close to you around the shops (however trams are the least of your concern they're cautious and slow) and, at least around Station Centraal, if bike riders were in a rush they just ignored the pedestrian lights and passed quickly in front of you. So, many times I was checking if there was a bike on my way before crossing the main streets. Of course, the solution is just get a bike and then be merry!