Discussions

The rules of the road state that vehicles must stop in both directions when a pedestrian approaches a crosswalk.  
 
Here is what Brandon drivers actually do:  
 
1. Pretend they don’t see the person standing at the crosswalk and just keep driving:  
 
2. See that a person is crossing on one side of the road, and gun the engine before the pedestrian reaches the middle of the road:  
 
3. Slow down enough to avoid hitting a person, yet applying the brake to come full stop is simply not an option:  
 
4. Literally drive in front of the person who’s crossing the road, and scowl at them because the driver thinks vehicles deserve to have the right of way: and  
 
5. Just don’t stop… drive as fast as the person in front of you and completely ignore the person trying to cross the street.  
 
Can the police please start issuing tickets to drivers who ignore one of the most valued principles of driving in an urban area, “PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!!!!”  
 
https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/Crosswalks.aspx  
 
Edited by Brewboy, 2016-05-24 10:31:34

That if it is a divided street, with a median, that you do not have to stop for pedestrians who are in the opposite lane? You are to stop to allow them to cross your lanes.

I scowl and/or honk at anyone that fails to be bothered to push that terribly inconvenient button which activates the safety flashing lights at so-equipped crossings.  
Sun shining directly into the eyes of drivers seems to be a factor totally lost on many pedestrians who feel that just because they havce the right-of-way absolves them from the responsibility to be sure that is is in fact safe to proceed.  
 
Edited by sparkycivic, 2016-05-24 10:54:59

I agree with all the statements, I see it happening all the time, but what about the mass amounts of people that don't cross at crosswalks since the weather got nice? It's like the rules don't apply to pedestrians either! I've had to illegally stop numerous times In the middle of the street because people of all ages(not just kids) think they can cut across a busy road and not walk down the half block to the cross walk!

It does not have to be a marked signed or painted crosswalk.  
 
any intersection is a designated crosswalk zone marked or not and the right of way rules are to be given to the pedestrian.  
 
and jay walking is legal as long as you are not within 30 meters (I think it is) of the intersection.. some one could look up the actual distance and correct that. But those doing so do not have the right of way

Brewboy said "The rules of the road state that vehicles must stop in both directions when a pedestrian approaches a crosswalk.     Here is what Brandon drivers actually do:     1. Pretend they don’t see the person standing at the crosswalk and just keep driving:     2. See that a person is crossing on one side of the road, and gun the engine before the pedestrian reaches the middle of the road:     3. Slow down enough to avoid hitting a person, yet applying the brake to come full stop is simply not an option:     4. Literally drive in front of the person who’s crossing the road, and scowl at them because the driver thinks vehicles deserve to have the right of way: and     5. Just don’t stop… drive as fast as the person in front of you and completely ignore the person trying to cross the street.     Can the police please start issuing tickets to drivers who ignore one of the most valued principles of driving in an urban area, “PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!!!!”     https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/Crosswalks.aspx     Edited by Brewboy, 2016-05-24 10:31:34"

Pedestrians also have a role to play in making things safer for all of us that share the roads and crosswalks.  
 
From your link, a couple of things you didn't mention: "Pedestrians should push the button to activate the warning lights, extend an arm forward before crossing, and step off the curb only when traffic has stopped."  
 
I don't know how many times I've stopped at a crosswalk for people that are just standing there, or waiting to cross parallel to the road I'm driving on. I'm happy to stop for pedestrians that are clearly showing their intent to cross, but both driver and pedestrian need to do their part.

fargobob said "    Brewboy said "The rules of the road state that vehicles must stop in both directions when a pedestrian approaches a crosswalk.     Here is what Brandon drivers actually do:     1. Pretend they don’t see the person standing at the crosswalk and just keep driving:     2. See that a person is crossing on one side of the road, and gun the engine before the pedestrian reaches the middle of the road:     3. Slow down enough to avoid hitting a person, yet applying the brake to come full stop is simply not an option:     4. Literally drive in front of the person who’s crossing the road, and scowl at them because the driver thinks vehicles deserve to have the right of way: and     5. Just don’t stop… drive as fast as the person in front of you and completely ignore the person trying to cross the street.     Can the police please start issuing tickets to drivers who ignore one of the most valued principles of driving in an urban area, “PEDESTRIANS HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!!!!”     https://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/Rd-Safety/Tips/60-Sec-Driver/Pages/Crosswalks.aspx     Edited by Brewboy, 2016-05-24 10:31:34" Pedestrians also have a role to play in making things safer for all of us that share the roads and crosswalks.     From your link, a couple of things you didn't mention: "Pedestrians should push the button to activate the warning lights, extend an arm forward before crossing, and step off the curb only when traffic has stopped."     I don't know how many times I've stopped at a crosswalk for people that are just standing there, or waiting to cross parallel to the road I'm driving on. I'm happy to stop for pedestrians that are clearly showing their intent to cross, but both driver and pedestrian need to do their part. "

Was in town on Sunday and two kids about 12ish were crossing at a traffic intersection where I was going to make a left turn. Yes, they had the right of way, but appeared to be oblivious to traffic as they were both looking at something on the phone one was holding in her hand. Maybe we should be teaching that while crossing a roadway, one should pause from other forms of distractions to concentrate on crossing safely and be mindful of dangers present?

Pedestrian need to pay attention and be aware of the rules as well. Don't know how many times I've stopped for a pedestrian who then waves me ahead! If someone stops for you, cross! If you aren't waiting to cross, don't stand there looking like you are!

pedestrian is the one who crosses at a light, because the light is still green, but the little hand is RED, telling you, you won't make it across before the light changes. Or the ones that have a timer of - only a few seconds left and they start meandering across the street.

Is legal in Manitoba... Where local bylaws don't prohibit it, Brandon has bylaws in place for jay walking this thread came up last year

Haha cue sarcasm, is the hand is a red stop and the traffic lights are amber and they start crossing in front of traffic trying to turn left. No one is perfect and everyone is to take responsibility for their actions because there is right and dead right.

Not all crosswalks have that little button that so many of you wanted to point out today.  
 
Your 2000lbs vehicle vs. some kid with an iphone and poor manners. Think about it, if you hit that kid the courts will never rule in your favor. Slow down, let the kid cross, scowl if you must, society will thank you.  
 
And... if you are stopping in the middle of the street because a group of kids decides to j-walk, you are actually preventing a bigger crime from taking place: man slaughter.  
 
Like it or not, your vehicle is a weapon. You, the driver, are expected to have full control of the vehicle at all times.  
 
Slow down, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. It should never be considered an inconvenience to ensure someone else's safety.

Hold on as a pedestrian you have a responsibility just a motorist to ensure your safety, you have you be aware of your surroundings and start crossing when its safe , not saying the driver does not have to stop . People on bikes are no different they have to follow the same rules as a motorist but yet they feel the need to ride on sidewalks and ride across the crosswalks instead of getting off and walking across , if someone is riding a bike on a sidewalk and hits a car that is waiting to pull into traffic its the person on the bike that is at fault.

are the crosswalks in front of the Brandon University on 18th Street where the bright minds of our future choose to be martyrs and walk into the street without even slowing their pace. Some do push the button at the lit intersection but don't even break their stride when they do. I completely understand that the pedestrian has the right of way but my god, take a physics lesson while you are attending the BU. An o:bject in motion tends to stay that way and does take some time to slow down....especially on ice!!! Some drivers do pretend not to see a person, others legitimately may not see you there because of sun in their eyes or a bad reflection or or or....  
Is it worth losing your life over to have to stand and wait???  
Also, I may get a ticket some day but I straddle part of both lanes when I stop just to make sure the guy beside me stops as well.

Pedestrians also need to pay attention  
Nobody looks to see if it's safe to walk  
Most just walk anyway whether there is cars or not!!

Brewboy said "Not all crosswalks have that little button that so many of you wanted to point out today.     Your 2000lbs vehicle vs. some kid with an iphone and poor manners. Think about it, if you hit that kid the courts will never rule in your favor. Slow down, let the kid cross, scowl if you must, society will thank you.     And... if you are stopping in the middle of the street because a group of kids decides to j-walk, you are actually preventing a bigger crime from taking place: man slaughter.     Like it or not, your vehicle is a weapon. You, the driver, are expected to have full control of the vehicle at all times.     Slow down, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. It should never be considered an inconvenience to ensure someone else's safety. "

The kid (or adults for that matter) shouldn't be on their iphone et al when crossing the street regardless if its still legal or not. The courts might actually side with the driver along as the driver made a reasonable attempt to stop.  
 
Speaking of really lame, at Vic. Ave and I believe its 20th st by BU, 7/10 people who crossed there don't wait for the walk symbol to go on after they press the button and walk straight across the street. The lame part is the light at Vic. turns red when there is no pedestrians present.  
 
So when its get down to it, there's a bit of common sense that needs to prevail on both the drivers side of things and the pedestrian.

Brewboy said "Not all crosswalks have that little button that so many of you wanted to point out today.     Your 2000lbs vehicle vs. some kid with an iphone and poor manners. Think about it, if you hit that kid the courts will never rule in your favor. Slow down, let the kid cross, scowl if you must, society will thank you.     And... if you are stopping in the middle of the street because a group of kids decides to j-walk, you are actually preventing a bigger crime from taking place: man slaughter.     Like it or not, your vehicle is a weapon. You, the driver, are expected to have full control of the vehicle at all times.     Slow down, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. It should never be considered an inconvenience to ensure someone else's safety. "

Lame is when there are rules that need to be adhered to by all parties involved, and thinking it'll all work out if only one half of the people involved are held to those rules.  
 
When I'm a pedestrian I make damn sure I only cross when it's safe and make sure any drivers near me know what my intentions are.

this should clear a few heads and change some minds about how you go about your business, You know, the person who always has to be firs, the person thinks their time is more precious than others, the driver and pedestrian that don't play by the rules.  
 
http://www.cklq.com/index.php?id=62&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=11273&cHash=81d561dc3f00c71f0e2a3da45abe13ce

unbreakable1 said "    Brewboy said "Not all crosswalks have that little button that so many of you wanted to point out today.     Your 2000lbs vehicle vs. some kid with an iphone and poor manners. Think about it, if you hit that kid the courts will never rule in your favor. Slow down, let the kid cross, scowl if you must, society will thank you.     And... if you are stopping in the middle of the street because a group of kids decides to j-walk, you are actually preventing a bigger crime from taking place: man slaughter.     Like it or not, your vehicle is a weapon. You, the driver, are expected to have full control of the vehicle at all times.     Slow down, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. It should never be considered an inconvenience to ensure someone else's safety. " The kid (or adults for that matter) shouldn't be on their iphone et al when crossing the street regardless if its still legal or not. The courts might actually side with the driver along as the driver made a reasonable attempt to stop.     Speaking of really lame, at Vic. Ave and I believe its 20th st by BU, 7/10 people who crossed there don't wait for the walk symbol to go on after they press the button and walk straight across the street. The lame part is the light at Vic. turns red when there is no pedestrians present.     So when its get down to it, there's a bit of common sense that needs to prevail on both the drivers side of things and the pedestrian. "

I see many pedestrians test for moving traffic by pushing their baby stroller out onto the street all the while looking at their phone.  
 
If their baby got hit I am sure there would be a post on facebook before calling for an ambulance

Cars don't die when pedestrians hit them by mistake..

pedestrian vs city bus  
Been there done that. I was crossing the street one morning-on the 'wakk' symbol. I was in the middle of the street when a bus made a left hand turn right in front of me. I had to step back to avoid getting hit by the rear of the bus as it crossed in front of me. I dud not get the bus number but I could tell the transit manager time and location and she could likely figure out which bus -and driver-it was. Not cool-it is fortunate i was paying attention as I crossed the street, and fortunate that I am quick enough on my feet to get out of the way quickly enough. Pedestrians must pay attention: they owe it to themselves to keep themselves safe. Yes, drivers should watch and yield-but I trust no one with my life so I watch out for myself.

Fantaone said "Pedestrians also need to pay attention   Nobody looks to see if it's safe to walk   Most just walk anyway whether there is cars or not!! "

this is right. I see lots of people crossing not looking.  
I walk lots and I never expect any drivers to stop for me and I do not cut traffic flow. This is not New York city that I have to stand 10 minutes to cross.

Brewboy said "Not all crosswalks have that little button that so many of you wanted to point out today.     Your 2000lbs vehicle vs. some kid with an iphone and poor manners. Think about it, if you hit that kid the courts will never rule in your favor. Slow down, let the kid cross, scowl if you must, society will thank you.     And... if you are stopping in the middle of the street because a group of kids decides to j-walk, you are actually preventing a bigger crime from taking place: man slaughter.     Like it or not, your vehicle is a weapon. You, the driver, are expected to have full control of the vehicle at all times.     Slow down, and keep an eye out for pedestrians. It should never be considered an inconvenience to ensure someone else's safety. "

while i am nice to pedestrians and stop, if i see their intent and its safe you have taken the issue a bit to far claiming if an accident happens because a pedestrian wasn't following the laws or being safe and careful that the driver would be committing the crime of manslaughter! For a death to be manslaughter the driver would have to be doing something illegal and or gave criminal intent, in the case of jaywalking kids it is them that are committing the wrong not the driver who didnt see them where they shouldn't be in time  
 
on the same lines, while your vehicle can be used as a weapon, so can a chair tho, just because you are driving doesnt mean you are using it as a weapon. using it as a weapon would be intentionally running someone over when you could have easily stopped, really its all about intent  
 
while pedestrians do have the right of way and even when they are in the wrong no one wants to hit them but they also play a part in staying safe. No driver is perfect and neither are pedestrians

This post is super lame. With the way all the drivers are making excuses for themselves. Justifying their indignant complacency to the matter at hand. People aren't paying attention to the pedestrians, and there have been a number of close calls. As a pedestrian, I stop and wait for traffic to recognize me. And take my time with it. I'm not in as much of a rush as those yuppies speeding past. Spewing clouds of black. But there have been numerous occasions where the driver in the next lane over has no idea why everyone has stopped and nearly ends up running over the pedestrian after they've decided it was safe.  
 
J-walking is legal in this city. Recognize folks. You don't own the road. And neither do the pedestrians.  
 
As a cyclist, I obey traffic laws. And appreciate when the cars going by me do not swerve out into the next lane to avoid coming within three car widths of my bicycle. This is dangerous behaviour folks. You are in control of your vehicle, and should know the birth it takes to pass by. I also use the stop signs. But can hear people scoffing when I cross to the median, and have cars screeching to a halt. This is not safe. Know your driving laws. A bike is not a pedestrian.  
 
And to the irresponsible cyclists out there. You better start wearing a helmet. Because I see you out there giving people like me a bad name. And your gonna need it. Pulling out into traffic like you have the right of way, and rolling down the sidewalks like some vigilante. Am I the only person in town with a proper safety light on my bike for night riding?  
 
And to the guy in the pickup truck who deliberately tried to run me over last night. When you could see me plain as day, and were crossing from a stop sign. Your a real piece of work. I feel sorry your wife has to deal with you every day.