PAVEMENTS ARE FOR PEDESTRIANS - 4
I am grateful to Ben Owen, Al Stuart, Paul James and Nigel Brooks for their continued intemperate comments on my purely factual posts about the illegality of pavement cycling PAVEMENTS ARE FOR PEDESTRIANS - 3. Each time they whinge about the unfairness of life as seen from the saddle of a bicycle they bring the topic back up to the top of the list, increasing the readership of my original posts and exposing their own intolerant attitude to us pedestrian PLEBS!.THERE ARE NO LAWS ABOUT PEDESTRIAN BEHAVIOUR because walking is a fundamental means of human movement carried out at unthreatening speeds. It is the speed of mechanically assisted human movement which creates danger, is confined to the roads, and is controlled by the traffic laws. EVEN ‘JAYWALKING’ IS NOT ILLEGAL IN THIS COUNTRY! See these extracts from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaywalking“The United Kingdom does not formally describe priority regulations for drivers and pedestrians at road junctions or other locations, except with respect to marked Zebra, Pelican, and Puffin crossings, where motorists are required to give way to pedestrians under defined conditions. Elsewhere, the Highway Code relies on the pedestrian making their own judgement on whether it is safe to cross based on the Green Cross Code. If the pedestrian's judgement was correct then no evasive re-action should be required by any drivers, but drivers [including cyclists] are expected to avoid hazards and are examined on their ability to do so during the Hazard Perception Test.” “The term "jaywalking" is rarely used, and there is no law preventing jaywalking as such. In England, Wales and Scotland it is legal to cross all roads except motorways (where pedestrians and slow vehicles are not permitted), and roads with the "No Pedestrians" sign displayed. The Highway Code contains additional rules for crossing a road safely, but these are recommendations and not legally enforceable, although as with other advisory parts of the Highway Code compliance or otherwise can be used to establish liability in civil law proceedings such as insurance claims.” “When crossing a road, pedestrians are advised to wait until it is safe to cross. Vehicles have priority when crossing a road, although, if a pedestrian is crossing the road across a side street where a car is about to turn, vehicles should give way to the pedestrian. This is demonstrated in the Highway Code [Rule 170].] In UK schools children are taught to cross roads safely through the Green Cross Code. British children are taught to "Stop, Look, Listen and Think" before crossing a road, as demonstrated in the Arrive Alive campaign.”“Zebra crossings are points where pedestrians can cross with the right of way. Traffic [including bicycles!] should [MUST Highway Code Rule 195] stop at such points for pedestrians.” AND THIS IS WHAT THE HIGHWAY CODE SAYS TO VEHICLE DRIVERS/RIDERS [INCLUDING CYCLISTS!] about ‘Road users requiring extra care’ 205 There is a risk of pedestrians, especially children, stepping unexpectedly into the road. You should drive with the safety of children in mind at a speed suitable for the conditions.206 Drive carefully and slowly when• in crowded shopping streets, Home Zones and Quiet Lanes (see Rule 218) or residential areas • driving past bus and tram stops; pedestrians may emerge suddenly into the road • passing parked vehicles, especially ice cream vans; children are more interested in ice cream than traffic and may run into the road unexpectedly • needing to cross a pavement or cycle track; for example, to reach or leave a driveway. Give way to pedestrians and cyclists on the pavement • reversing into a side road; look all around the vehicle and give way to any pedestrians who may be crossing the road • turning at road junctions; give way to pedestrians who are already crossing the road into which you are turning • the pavement is closed due to street repairs and pedestrians are directed to use the road • approaching pedestrians on narrow rural roads without a footway or footpath. Always slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary, giving them plenty of room as you drive past. 207 Particularly vulnerable pedestrians. These include:• children and older pedestrians who may not be able to judge your speed and could step into the road in front of you. At 40 mph (64 km/h) your vehicle will probably kill any pedestrians it hits. At 20 mph (32 km/h) there is only a 1 in 20 chance of the pedestrian being killed. So kill your speed • older pedestrians who may need more time to cross the road. Be patient and allow them to cross in their own time. Do not hurry them by revving your engine or edging forward • people with disabilities. People with hearing impairments may not be aware of your vehicle approaching. Those with walking difficulties require more time • blind or partially sighted people, who may be carrying a white cane using a guide dog. They may not be able to see you approaching • deafblind people who may be carrying a white cane with a red band or using a dog with a red and white harness. They may not see or hear instructions or signals.208 Near schools. Drive slowly and be particularly aware of young cyclists and pedestrians. In some places, there may be a flashing amber signal below the ‘School’ warning sign which tells you that there may be children crossing the road ahead. Drive very slowly until you are clear of the area.209 Drive carefully and slowly when passing a stationary bus showing a ‘School Bus’ sign (download ‘Vehicle markings’ (PDF, 537KB)) as children may be getting on or off.210 You MUST stop when a school crossing patrol shows a ‘Stop for children’ sign (download ‘Signals by authorised persons’ (PDF, 123KB) and ‘Traffic signs’ (PDF, 486KB)).Law RTRA sect 28
Tony Purton ● 4401d20 Comments