Discussions

I would just like to know who had the right of way.  
 
I'm standing at the southwest corner of Louise and 10th St - wanting to cross 10th St - there is no painted crosswalk so I wait for the north-south traffic to clear. There is a vehicle at the northeast corner of Louise stopped at a Stop sign - signal light on as he's waiting for the traffic on 10th Street to clear so he can make a left turn.  
 
The traffic on 10th St eventually clears and I start walking across - the vehicle making the left turn also moves briskly into the intersection and it's apparent that he has no intention of stopping for me - I actually jumped back to avoid being hit - he was very close to me. He then came to an abrupt stop and I continued across.  
 
Was I wrong in starting to walk across the intersection. Just asking.  
 
 

The pedestrian always has the right of way. If he hit you, it wouldn't have been your fault.  
 
Everyone should have been watching and paying attention, but it doesn't sound like the driver was.  
Also, when it starts to get colder out, I think people on foot should definitely get to go first!!!

The rule is, the pedestrian always gets right of way, but it sometimes doesn't happen like that! Just always make sure you and the driver make eye contact so you are both aware of each other

Driver training tells you pedestrians always have the right of way but that is not the case, when it comes to there being a crosswalk yes they do. Otherwise they are bound by traffic laws themselves. Don't proceed until it is safe to do so.  
 
Brandon also has anti jay walking by laws so don't think you can just hop out in front of traffic and you automatically have the right of way.  
 
In your case if you established yourself crossing first then you indeed had the right of way

Garret said "Driver training tells you pedestrians always have the right of way but that is not the case, when it comes to there being a crosswalk yes they do. Otherwise they are bound by traffic laws themselves. Don't proceed until it is safe to do so.     Brandon also has anti jay walking by laws so don't think you can just hop out in front of traffic and you automatically have the right of way.     In your case if you established yourself crossing first then you indeed had the right of way "

he was walking across an intersection so he did have the right of way as he is not j walking  
 
tho i agree everyone has to wait until its safe. you have to give time for the other traffic to stop and honestly it doesnt make sense to force your way int a group of cars when there is a space coming up  
 
my guess is either the left hand turner made a mistake and didnt see the op or figured he needed to take his chance to cross while there was a break but either way the pedestrian had the right away (as long as there is on light at this intersection)

Garret said "Driver training tells you pedestrians always have the right of way but that is not the case, when it comes to there being a crosswalk yes they do. Otherwise they are bound by traffic laws themselves. Don't proceed until it is safe to do so.     Brandon also has anti jay walking by laws so don't think you can just hop out in front of traffic and you automatically have the right of way.     In your case if you established yourself crossing first then you indeed had the right of way "

A pedestrian can cross a street anywhere unless it's marked otherwise. If not crossing at an intersection (crosswalk), then the pedestrian must yield to vehicles. In the OP's case they had the right-of-way. In any case you should yield to idiot drivers who are not paying attention or who don't care.

You had the right-of-way. That said, you don't own the right-of-way, it has to be given to you by the other person involved. In this case, the driver of the vehicle. You don't want to have your headstone to read "BUT I HAD THE RIGHT-OF WAY".

i thought it is the right of way for pedestrians crossing the street louise ave along 10th street but to cross the 10th street itself that is an unmarked crosswalk i tought the driver has the right of way. It wouldn't be really safe for a traffic flow if pedestrians cut in the traffic in any corner or every corner as they want on main busy streets. Can you imagine on big cities, the traffic stopping all the time i find more chance for accidents. Just cross busy on marked crosswalk but just my opinion only. I always let traffic go by on unmarked crosswalk when i walk and when i drive i don't let pedestrians cross unless an marked crosswalk.

4. Pedestrian safety  
 
Crosswalks  
Pedestrians have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.  
 
Unmarked crosswalks — These are extensions of sidewalks across a road at an intersection. No markings or signs are required.  
 
However, precaution should be taken at all times.  
 
Marked crosswalks — These include crosswalks at intersections controlled by traffic lights, school crosswalks and pedestrian crosswalks.  
 
As a driver You must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are about to cross, unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median. A double solid line is not a physical separation.  
 
• It is illegal to pass traffic ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians.  
• Proceed only when the pedestrians have safely crossed the street or have safely reached the median of a divided roadway.  
• No parking or stopping is allowed within three metres of a crosswalk.  
• All pedestrians have the right to use school crosswalks  
 
Edited by ren008, 2015-11-06 11:05:08

If a pedestrian is at a marked crossing waiting to cross you have to stop and let them cross. at an unmarked you don't have to stop if they are standing waiting, they have to wait till its safe to cross, but if you come upon them, and they are already crossing you don't get to run them over, you must stop and let them cross.

Midway55 said "If a pedestrian is at a marked crossing waiting to cross you have to stop and let them cross. at an unmarked you don't have to stop if they are standing waiting, they have to wait till its safe to cross, but if you come upon them, and they are already crossing you don't get to run them over, you must stop and let them cross. "

Might be a little rocket science involved because Midway55 is wrong. The pedestrian has the right of way at marked and unmarked crosswalks. The pedestrian does not have to wait for traffic to clear at an unmarked crossing. The Manitoba Highway Traffic act is the authority governing pedestrians. The drivers hand book is for reference but the laws are controlled by the H.T.A. There is a crosswalk pretty much at every intersection. If there is intersecting sidewalks at either side or both sides of a roadway, then there is a crosswalk even if no lines are painted on the road.  
Now it hasn't be mentioned anywhere in this thread as of yet but a pedestrian still has to show their intent to cross. Cars shouldn't be slamming on their brakes just because someone is standing beside the road. The pedestrian can show intent to cross but starting to walk out onto the roadway or by extending their arm.  
The OP had the right of way in this case. They were at an intersection and did show intent to cross by walking out. The car should have stopped.

there are too many qualified drivers that either don't care or don't remember all the rules about this. Granted for some, it has been a long time since their drivers test including mine.  
It comes down to if you're not sure, be careful before you cross and be ready to jump back because whether you have 'the right of way' or not, it doesn't matter much if you are lying on the pavement hurt or worse.

that being said there is no value in being right and injured or worse.  
 
When I arrived at that intersection - the driver at the opposite corner was already there and we were both waiting for the traffic to clear on 10th St - as soon as I stepped into the intersection he accelerated briskly into his turn.  
 
I waited at the intersection for what seemed a long time waiting for the traffic to clear and the driver would have been waiting even longer - he may have been impatient to make his left turn since he waited for quite some time and may have been more focused on looking for other vehicles and "lost track' of me.  
 
Thankfully I was paying attention to the whole scenario - as I walked into the intersection it became very apparent very quickly that he might not stop - if I didn't jumped back I would definitely have been hit.  
 
The whole episode just reinforces in my mind that I need to pay complete attention when walking across an intersection - it's not enough to assume that the driver has seen me.  
 
Thank you for your input - although the Highway Traffic Act is quite clear - I do have a major responsibility to make sure it is safe to cross.

ren008 said "4. Pedestrian safety     Crosswalks   Pedestrians have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.     Unmarked crosswalks — These are extensions of sidewalks across a road at an intersection. No markings or signs are required.     However, precaution should be taken at all times.     Marked crosswalks — These include crosswalks at intersections controlled by traffic lights, school crosswalks and pedestrian crosswalks.     As a driver You must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are about to cross, unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median. A double solid line is not a physical separation.     • It is illegal to pass traffic ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians.   • Proceed only when the pedestrians have safely crossed the street or have safely reached the median of a divided roadway.   • No parking or stopping is allowed within three metres of a crosswalk.   • All pedestrians have the right to use school crosswalks     Edited by ren008, 2015-11-06 11:05:08"

Your post title is,"From MPI Driver's Handbook"  
 
Why did you add,  
 
"However, precaution should be taken at all times."  
 
That's written not in the book.  
 
http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/pdfs/completehandbook.pdf  
 
You claim to be quoting the handbook. Did you also see the part that says killing a pedestrian on a street corner is a crime. LOL  
 
 
 
Edited by loeog, 2015-11-06 16:55:44

you did have the right of way. Chances are the driver did not see you. I myself have just about hit someone at that corner. Lots of traffic on 10th, busy watching traffic and sometimes drivers just do not see pedestrians. I immediately pulled over and apologized to the gentleman who was very understanding.  
So just be careful when crossing, driver may not see you.  
Glad you are ok!

Anytime that I'm about to walk out in front of a car, whether it be at an intersection or in a parking lot etc., I always make sure I have eye contact with the driver so that I know he/she knows I'm there. I assume this drastically reduces the chances of an accident.

I've never understood why pedestrians have the right of way. It seems absolutely silly and BACKWARDS.

Opportunities Abound said "I've never understood why pedestrians have the right of way. It seems absolutely silly and BACKWARDS. "

Wasn't the movie called death race 2000.  
 
In the movie, like minded people felt running over pedestrians had value.  
 
I'm sure they felt pedestrians right of way was silly too.

loeog said "    ren008 said "4. Pedestrian safety     Crosswalks   Pedestrians have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.     Unmarked crosswalks — These are extensions of sidewalks across a road at an intersection. No markings or signs are required.     However, precaution should be taken at all times.     Marked crosswalks — These include crosswalks at intersections controlled by traffic lights, school crosswalks and pedestrian crosswalks.     As a driver You must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are about to cross, unless they are on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median. A double solid line is not a physical separation.     • It is illegal to pass traffic ahead of you that is slowing down or stopped for pedestrians.   • Proceed only when the pedestrians have safely crossed the street or have safely reached the median of a divided roadway.   • No parking or stopping is allowed within three metres of a crosswalk.   • All pedestrians have the right to use school crosswalks     Edited by ren008, 2015-11-06 11:05:08" Your post title is,"From MPI Driver's Handbook"     Why did you add,     "However, precaution should be taken at all times."     That's written not in the book.     http://www.mpi.mb.ca/en/pdfs/completehandbook.pdf     You claim to be quoting the handbook. Did you also see the part that says killing a pedestrian on a street corner is a crime. LOL         Edited by loeog, 2015-11-06 16:55:44"

Learn to read better and have another look at the manual.

loeog said "    Opportunities Abound said "I've never understood why pedestrians have the right of way. It seems absolutely silly and BACKWARDS. " Wasn't the movie called death race 2000.     In the movie, like minded people felt running over pedestrians had value.     I'm sure they felt pedestrians right of way was silly too. "

Sorry, let me clarify.  
 
Why have a 3500 pound vehicle come to a complete stop to allow a pedestrian to cross a desolate intersection instead of said pedestrian simply waiting for that single car to pass before proceeding through the intersection?  
 
It's more efficient and does not compromise safety...not to mention it's just plain courteous.  
 
Bring a two ton vehicle in motion to a complete stop or have a pedestrian wait on their two feet for an extra 5 seconds while the vehicle passes? Seems like a simple answer.  
 
Edited by Opportunities Abound, 2015-11-07 20:22:16

Opportunities Abound said "    loeog said "    Opportunities Abound said "I've never understood why pedestrians have the right of way. It seems absolutely silly and BACKWARDS. " Wasn't the movie called death race 2000.     In the movie, like minded people felt running over pedestrians had value.     I'm sure they felt pedestrians right of way was silly too. " Sorry, let me clarify.     Why have a 3500 pound vehicle come to a complete stop to allow a pedestrian to cross a desolate intersection instead of said pedestrian simply waiting for that single car to pass before proceeding through the intersection?     It's more efficient and does not compromise safety...not to mention it's just plain courteous.     Bring a two ton vehicle in motion to a complete stop or have a pedestrian wait on their two feet for an extra 5 seconds while the vehicle passes? Seems like a simple answer.     Edited by Opportunities Abound, 2015-11-07 20:22:16"

Sorry, let me clarify.  
 
Because courtesy goes both ways.  
 
Because it only takes 5 seconds of your life to let them cross.  
 
Because they are standing on their feet and your sitting down.  
 
To be truthful: I agree, it works both ways.  
 
Edited by loeog, 2015-11-07 21:16:30