[Paper1]

I had an unpleasant moment this morning on my bicycle ride. I was going by Stering Heights center and saw a woman waiting to go across street in marked crosswalk. I stopped my bicycle in lane to let her by and a car went by me on my left. I then had a golf cart pull out around me on my left and drive through the crosswalk. I hollered there was a crosswalk here and he very quickly gave me the single finger salute and was on his way. Do vehicles have to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks in Villages or are walkers free game? Being a nice person I gave cart driver benefit of doubt and assumed his Viagra was kicking in after a long dormant period and he was rushing home. That said I hope he was too late.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by Paper1

I had an unpleasant moment this morning on my bicycle ride. I was going by Stering Heights center and saw a woman waiting to go across street in marked crosswalk. I stopped my bicycle in lane to let her by and a car went by me on my left. I then had a golf cart pull out around me on my left and drive through the crosswalk. I hollered there was a crosswalk here and he very quickly gave me the single finger salute and was on his way. Do vehicles have to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks in Villages or are walkers free game? Being a nice person I gave cart driver benefit of doubt and assumed his Viagra was kicking in after a long dormant period and he was rushing home. That said I hope he was too late.

You can google florida crosswalk laws. As I read it, the pedestrian must yield to traffic until it is safe to enter the crosswalk. Then the pedestrian has the right of way. At intersections with walk/don't walk signals, the law gives pedestrians the right of way when the light prompts them to walk.
I appreciate your intent to be kind but it seems you should have kept on going.

[alzjr]

A few ignorant, aggressive, impatient, drivers can ruin it for everyone.
Florida statute 316.130 says:
(b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

[goodtimesintv]

Holding only the driver at fault for all pedestrians "in" the marked crosswalk is a disastrous law because of this:

When there are two lanes in one direction, and the pedestrian has just stepped into the crosswalk in the lane closest to the curb.....if there is a vehicle (not bicyclist) in the curb lane, vehicle drivers approaching in the left lane cannot always see a pedestrian in the crosswalk when the vehicle in the right lane is blocking the view of the pedestrian .

In that situation, when there is no stop light at the crossing, there is no reason for a car driver approaching in the left lane to automatically stop for a pedestrian, and this dumb crosswalk law encourages the pedestrian to get hit by blindly walking into the center lane in front of a car approaching in the left lane.

It's also a disaster where there is vehicle right turn allowed on red light, and just as a driver sees all is clear to turn right and starts the turn, a pedestrian wanders out into the crosswalk about 3 feet in front of the driver's bumper. The driver should not be "always" at fault for that pedestrian's dopey, unsafe entrance into the crosswalk.

People are now stepping out into the crosswalks while never looking up from their phones, to the extent that in Germany or somewhere, a city put bright blue lights IN the pavement entrance to the crosswalk, so that people who never look up from their phone have the bright light warning in the concrete. This is enabling stupidity on the part of the walker.

I think that drivers are blameless in some of these situations, and that pedestrians should be the ones at-fault when they wander into the crosswalk without looking or without being able to see what's coming on the left when a vehicle in the curb lane is blocking view. I see this happening all the time and it is scary.

[flyerguy]

When I'm walking I don't care who has the right of way, I always look at traffic situations and make sure I can safely cross before proceeding. Pedestrians never win when they take on a 2 ton vehicle.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by alzjr

A few ignorant, aggressive, impatient, drivers can ruin it for everyone.
Florida statute 316.130 says:
(b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

In this case the sign does not indicate that the driver shall stop. It simply indicates that a pedestrian cross walk exists. So, what is the legan interpretation?

I have used that particular cross walk many times. Only once did someone stop and wave me across. I was surprised, as I do not believe that I had the right of way.

[goodtimesintv]

Originally Posted by flyerguy

When I'm walking I don't care who has the right of way, I always look at traffic situations and make sure I can safely cross before proceeding. Pedestrians never win when they take on a 2 ton vehicle.

This is exactly what I do, but the dopey law encourages people to just walk out in front of a moving car, ass-uming that the driver is sober enough to stop for him.

We were taught to never assume another driver would do what's right. Rather, assume he could be drunk or road raged....like assuming all stoves are hot and all guns are loaded.

Now it's the opposite. SMH.....

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by flyerguy

When I'm walking I don't care who has the right of way, I always look at traffic situations and make sure I can safely cross before proceeding. Pedestrians never win when they take on a 2 ton vehicle.

That's it in a nutshell.


Ironically though, many tourist articles about Rome (and a few other world cities) say that the safest way to cross a street there, is to NOT look for cars coming (or to not be obvious about looking anyhow).

Apparently, Roman drivers are courteous to tourists who don't know any better and cross without looking (a soft spot for idiots? lol), but become aggressive if you make eye contact with them and then try to make them stop.

I actually found that to be true, but still kept a 'sly eye' on the cars just in case they didn't like the way I looked.

[blueash]

You all should know the law. It is both clear and reasonable. If a pedestrian is attempting to cross at a marked crosswalk, that pedestrian may not bolt into traffic vehicles must stop or slow to allow the pedestrian to cross. Also no car may pass a stopped car who is yielding as required to a pedestrian. So the burden is on you if you see a car stopped at a crosswalk to not pass that car until you are 100% certain that the stopped car is not yielding to a pedestrian. So stop. Here is a longer citation of the applicable law, :
Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine


(c) When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation and there is no signage indicating otherwise, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

(8) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

(9) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

[SCasey]

I am amazed at how many vehicles just zoom past a person waiting in the crosswalk. My wife and I always stop when someone is waiting and have had some disparaging remarks thrown our way from vehicles behind us.

There is a reason they put crosswalks in. Pedestrian safety. It attempts to keep people from just crossing anywhere and gives a controlled environment for both pedestrians and vehicles.

[rubicon]

Pedestrian has the right of way at a pedestrian crossing. However like a car that has a green light the pedestrian should too proceed with care.

Based on the above-stated comments it appears the cross walk markings are not visible to drivers for some reason???

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Holding only the driver at fault for all pedestrians "in" the marked crosswalk is a disastrous law because of this:

When there are two lanes in one direction, and the pedestrian has just stepped into the crosswalk in the lane closest to the curb.....if there is a vehicle (not bicyclist) in the curb lane, vehicle drivers approaching in the left lane cannot always see a pedestrian in the crosswalk when the vehicle in the right lane is blocking the view of the pedestrian .

In that situation, when there is no stop light at the crossing, there is no reason for a car driver approaching in the left lane to automatically stop for a pedestrian, and this dumb crosswalk law encourages the pedestrian to get hit by blindly walking into the center lane in front of a car approaching in the left lane.

It's also a disaster where there is vehicle right turn allowed on red light, and just as a driver sees all is clear to turn right and starts the turn, a pedestrian wanders out into the crosswalk about 3 feet in front of the driver's bumper. The driver should not be "always" at fault for that pedestrian's dopey, unsafe entrance into the crosswalk.

People are now stepping out into the crosswalks while never looking up from their phones, to the extent that in Germany or somewhere, a city put bright blue lights IN the pavement entrance to the crosswalk, so that people who never look up from their phone have the bright light warning in the concrete. This is enabling stupidity on the part of the walker.

I think that drivers are blameless in some of these situations, and that pedestrians should be the ones at-fault when they wander into the crosswalk without looking or without being able to see what's coming on the left when a vehicle in the curb lane is blocking view. I see this happening all the time and it is scary.

when the language of the statutes talk about the pedestrians half of the road it incudes both lanes heading in the same direction on a 4 lane road. it goes on to say Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle, in other words the other lane is not 'open'. right on red is not permitted if a pedestrian has a crossing sign and is at the curb, you turn into them and it is definitely the fault of the driver and can get you severe penalties if you hit them. the difference between an accident and vehicular manslaughter is hitting someone who crosses without a pedestrian walkway (accident) and in a pedestrian walk (manslaughter). there is no such thing as right turn on red light, only right turn with caution on red, that puts the onus of safety on the driver.

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by bagboy

You can google florida crosswalk laws. As I read it, the pedestrian must yield to traffic until it is safe to enter the crosswalk. Then the pedestrian has the right of way. At intersections with walk/don't walk signals, the law gives pedestrians the right of way when the light prompts them to walk.
I appreciate your intent to be kind but it seems you should have kept on going.

I disagree with this comment and many others criticizing the law. If there is a marked pedestrian crosswalk, and a pedestrian enters the crosswalk safely, then a car/vehicle approaching must stop. Entering safely is not stepping in front of a car, but is entering when there is reasonable distance and time for a vehicle to stop. The driver of the vehicle should be driving at legal speed and obeying the signage saying it is a pedestrian crossing.

Now in reality, when using a pedestrian sidewalk, I use caution as a pedestrian. If I see a vehicle approaching which shows no indication of stopping, then I will stop. But it is the driver of the vehicle who is in the wrong.

Too many Villagers ignore these crosswalks, so I encourage pedestrians to be wary.

[bagboy]

Originally Posted by mtdjed

I disagree with this comment and many others criticizing the law. If there is a marked pedestrian crosswalk, and a pedestrian enters the crosswalk safely, then a car/vehicle approaching must stop. Entering safely is not stepping in front of a car, but is entering when there is reasonable distance and time for a vehicle to stop. The driver of the vehicle should be driving at legal speed and obeying the signage saying it is a pedestrian crossing.

Now in reality, when using a pedestrian sidewalk, I use caution as a pedestrian. If I see a vehicle approaching which shows no indication of stopping, then I will stop. But it is the driver of the vehicle who is in the wrong.

Too many Villagers ignore these crosswalks, so I encourage pedestrians to be wary.

I am not criticizing the law. In fact, I said exactly what you said and what the law states. A pedestrian must enter a crosswalk safely, not simply walk out in front of traffic and expect to have the right of way. The crosswalk the OP is referring to near Sterling Hts rec center is not at a corner or traffic light. The law and common sense tells one to wait until it's safe to cross.

[John_W]

The crosswalk in question has one serious flaw for drivers and walkers, it's not at an intersection. It's there because they discontinued the sidewalk on the west side of the street and the crosswalk simply directs the walker to the sidewalk on the east side of the street with two lines outlining a walkway. Not the usual crosswalk marking of hash lines seen below.



Not far away is a similar sidewalk in Wildwood. Driving west on 466A a block before US 301 there is a sidwalk in the middle of the street. It's there because school parking is on the other side of the road. In this situation there is a sign that indicates drivers are to stop when pedestrians are present. No such sign is present at the crosswalk on St. Charles.