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> Arizona did something reckless and stupid. Unfortunately, somebody other than the decision maker paid the price. Well, crossing the street in that manner was

> Arizona did something reckless and stupid. Unfortunately, somebody other than the decision maker paid the price. Well, crossing the street in that manner wasn't the smartest thing to do either. The person shouldn't have been run over, but we accept some risks while walking bicycles across multi-lane highways at night without watching for oncoming traffic.

lemonghost 9y ago
> we accept some risks while walking bicycles across multi-lane highways at night without watching for oncoming traffic. The accident occurred on a surface street in a fairly busy area right down the street from ASU's main campus where there tend to be a lot of pedestrians and bikers
- humanrebar 9y ago
  Sure, but every time you cross the street, you assume some risk. That's why little kids hold an adult's hand when they cross. And the risk is even higher if you're crossing the street at night. And it's even higher if you don't have a light, crosswalk, or stop sign to protect you.
  - csbrooks 9y ago
    I used to live in Arizona. The traffic lights and crosswalks are an insane distance apart. There are bright streetlights basically everywhere. All the roads are straight. It's all designed for cars, and not for pedestrians. And it's really tempting to j-walk if you're ever stuck walking somewhere.
dreamcompiler 9y ago
I thought the same thing. Why was she so nonchalant about a car about to hit her? And then I remembered: Pedestrians are simply not afraid enough of cars. They blithely assume the driver can see them, that the driver is a human (!), that the driver wants to avoid hitting them, that the driver has quick reactions, and that the car's brakes are in good working order. Those are a lot of assumptions to bet your life on. It's much safer to cross streets assuming every car is trying to kill you.
neffy 9y ago
Yes, because oncoming traffic at night is just so hard to see with those bright headlights and all.

lemonghost 9y ago

> we accept some risks while walking bicycles across multi-lane highways at night without watching for oncoming traffic. The accident occurred on a surface street in a fairly busy area right down the street from ASU's main campus where there tend to be a lot of pedestrians and bikers

humanrebar 9y ago
Sure, but every time you cross the street, you assume some risk. That's why little kids hold an adult's hand when they cross. And the risk is even higher if you're crossing the street at night. And it's even higher if you don't have a light, crosswalk, or stop sign to protect you.
- csbrooks 9y ago
  I used to live in Arizona. The traffic lights and crosswalks are an insane distance apart. There are bright streetlights basically everywhere. All the roads are straight. It's all designed for cars, and not for pedestrians. And it's really tempting to j-walk if you're ever stuck walking somewhere.

dreamcompiler 9y ago

I thought the same thing. Why was she so nonchalant about a car about to hit her? And then I remembered: Pedestrians are simply not afraid enough of cars. They blithely assume the driver can see them, that the driver is a human (!), that the driver wants to avoid hitting them, that the driver has quick reactions, and that the car's brakes are in good working order. Those are a lot of assumptions to bet your life on. It's much safer to cross streets assuming every car is trying to kill you.

neffy 9y ago

Yes, because oncoming traffic at night is just so hard to see with those bright headlights and all.