4 ms·

I think the “problem” is your running. I’m an ex-runner, ex-skateboarder (knees gave up) and my close calls were always when moving at high speed. Drivers are

I think the “problem” is your running. I’m an ex-runner, ex-skateboarder (knees gave up) and my close calls were always when moving at high speed. Drivers are expecting we’ll be a dawdling pedestrian moving at 2-3 MPH, when in fact we could easily be doing 10MPH or faster. We have street-grade LIDAR everywhere these days (at least in SF). I don’t understand why they can’t make “smart intersections” that flash drivers a warning when pedestrians are predicted to be crossing.

rodgerd 5y ago
You have a higher opinion of people than I do. I've had someone threaten to kill me because he was trying to barge through a zebra crossing while I was on it, and he felt the need to get out of his car and have a go in person because I was, you know, blocking his car. People know. They don't care. They'd rather kill someone than slow down.
- notacoward 5y ago
  It's not uncommon for drivers to get a big shot of adrenaline after a near miss, and turn that into anger instead of reflecting on their own actions. Sad commentary on human nature, I guess.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- giantg2 5y ago
  I'm not sure that comment really addresses the high speed crosswalk entry concerns. Sure there are some people out there who behave like your story, but not that many (and should be addressed by losing their license). Even with the right of way, it's in a pedestrian's best interest to slowly enter the crosswalk and check to make sure the vehicles are yielding. Some states make it illegal to run into traffic or cross while distracted (phone use). So yes, people driving should be going slow enough to avoid someone running into traffic. But then the runner should also slow to safely evaluate and cross.
  - jdavis703 5y ago
    Most drivers are just dumb. I’ve had two guys and one gal threaten to fight me over the last 10ish years, but many, many more close calls. Case in point, I had a guy who nearly killed me on a dark, rainy night. He circled around to apologize (pro tip to drivers: don’t do this, I thought he was coming back to fight or shoot me since I let a few profane words slip).
    - giantg2 5y ago
      "Most drivers are just dumb." This sounds like an extreme stereotype.

rodgerd 5y ago

You have a higher opinion of people than I do. I've had someone threaten to kill me because he was trying to barge through a zebra crossing while I was on it, and he felt the need to get out of his car and have a go in person because I was, you know, blocking his car. People know. They don't care. They'd rather kill someone than slow down.

notacoward 5y ago
It's not uncommon for drivers to get a big shot of adrenaline after a near miss, and turn that into anger instead of reflecting on their own actions. Sad commentary on human nature, I guess.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
giantg2 5y ago
I'm not sure that comment really addresses the high speed crosswalk entry concerns. Sure there are some people out there who behave like your story, but not that many (and should be addressed by losing their license). Even with the right of way, it's in a pedestrian's best interest to slowly enter the crosswalk and check to make sure the vehicles are yielding. Some states make it illegal to run into traffic or cross while distracted (phone use). So yes, people driving should be going slow enough to avoid someone running into traffic. But then the runner should also slow to safely evaluate and cross.
- jdavis703 5y ago
  Most drivers are just dumb. I’ve had two guys and one gal threaten to fight me over the last 10ish years, but many, many more close calls. Case in point, I had a guy who nearly killed me on a dark, rainy night. He circled around to apologize (pro tip to drivers: don’t do this, I thought he was coming back to fight or shoot me since I let a few profane words slip).
  - giantg2 5y ago
    "Most drivers are just dumb." This sounds like an extreme stereotype.