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> California also has the "jaywalking" law that clearly prioritizes automobiles over pedestrians. As an avid jaywalker, in what situation do you think you shou

by mrep 5y ago

> California also has the "jaywalking" law that clearly prioritizes automobiles over pedestrians. As an avid jaywalker, in what situation do you think you should be legally prioritized over a car on the road? If the car can stop in time sure but otherwise you're the one causing a problem.

gumby 5y ago
We have controlled access roads (aka "freeways") which are the natural domains of automobiles. Pedestrians, pets, bicycles and other impedimenta are out of bounds there. We have fenced and raised rail roads and their cars should be able to assume that pedestrians et al won't be encountered. Everywhere else...I don't believe cars should be allowed to drive as if they have the right of way. Sure, it's bogus to leap out from being hidden between parked cars, but that's a corner case akin to sticking a fork in a power outlet. A hard example is the unprotected rail lines that run through residential neighborhoods with no fencing or other separation between the rail road and kids. These aren't just in the Central Valley -- you can see this right in Redwood City. Even at a glacial pace a train full of cars can't be expected to stop on a dime.
- mrep 5y ago
  > Everywhere else...I don't believe cars should be allowed to drive as if they have the right of way. Sure, it's bogus to leap out from being hidden between parked cars, but that's a corner case akin to sticking a fork in a power outlet. What style of street are you thinking of? Stop sign streets? Main streets with stoplights? Are just wanting to literally walk across any road without looking and force all traffic to stop? Is walking down to the nearest stop sign/traffic light really that inconvenient?
  - gumby 5y ago
    > What style of street are you thinking of? Stop sign streets? Main streets with stoplights? Are just wanting to literally walk across any road without looking and force all traffic to stop? Essentially, yes. Roads are for people, and of course drivers and passengers are people using the street too, but they don't deserve top priority over other uses, especially as the effort for them to get around is low (they are using external power to move themselves; the other users are not). > Is walking down to the nearest stop sign/traffic light really that inconvenient? Depends on how far and if it's safe to walk there. I live in a town with walkable footpaths on every street, and even between some streets, but neighboring towns are not so accommodating. There are plenty of places where the footpath simply ends in the middle of the block. Anyway it's less convenient than being pulled to the intersection by a motor.

by mrep 5y ago

gumby 5y ago

We have controlled access roads (aka "freeways") which are the natural domains of automobiles. Pedestrians, pets, bicycles and other impedimenta are out of bounds there. We have fenced and raised rail roads and their cars should be able to assume that pedestrians et al won't be encountered. Everywhere else...I don't believe cars should be allowed to drive as if they have the right of way. Sure, it's bogus to leap out from being hidden between parked cars, but that's a corner case akin to sticking a fork in a power outlet. A hard example is the unprotected rail lines that run through residential neighborhoods with no fencing or other separation between the rail road and kids. These aren't just in the Central Valley -- you can see this right in Redwood City. Even at a glacial pace a train full of cars can't be expected to stop on a dime.

mrep 5y ago
> Everywhere else...I don't believe cars should be allowed to drive as if they have the right of way. Sure, it's bogus to leap out from being hidden between parked cars, but that's a corner case akin to sticking a fork in a power outlet. What style of street are you thinking of? Stop sign streets? Main streets with stoplights? Are just wanting to literally walk across any road without looking and force all traffic to stop? Is walking down to the nearest stop sign/traffic light really that inconvenient?
- gumby 5y ago
  > What style of street are you thinking of? Stop sign streets? Main streets with stoplights? Are just wanting to literally walk across any road without looking and force all traffic to stop? Essentially, yes. Roads are for people, and of course drivers and passengers are people using the street too, but they don't deserve top priority over other uses, especially as the effort for them to get around is low (they are using external power to move themselves; the other users are not). > Is walking down to the nearest stop sign/traffic light really that inconvenient? Depends on how far and if it's safe to walk there. I live in a town with walkable footpaths on every street, and even between some streets, but neighboring towns are not so accommodating. There are plenty of places where the footpath simply ends in the middle of the block. Anyway it's less convenient than being pulled to the intersection by a motor.