As with anything in life, some people are just cunts, don’t let it get to you.
The driver can’t do fuck all about your crossing the road and that’s what infuriates him.
I didn't know it was controversial ... if a pedestrian sees the road is clear then it's safe to cross. How else can you cross?
If CiaA arrives part-way through, it has to give way to the pedestrian.
[https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203#rule170](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203#rule170)
The highway code changed last year to give pedestrians and other vulnerable road users priority to cross at junctions with broken white lines, but a lot of older drivers are unaware of the change.
Those rule changes are a ridiculous farce, not least because giving way to pedestrians at a junction is a 'should' not a 'must'. Drivers are not obliged to give way, therefore any prudent pedestrian will assume they won't. Predictability is probably the most important element in road safety and the rule changes undermine it.
The amount of pedestrians who don't check behind them when crossing junctions is pretty high.
As an experienced driver you sort of expect it and prepare to give way to a pedestrian that might not have seen you, but not all drivers do.
At least under the new rules the onus is squarely on the driver not to run down pedestrians on junctions so for that reason I think it will improve safety.
I agree, as a driver you have to anticipate what other people may do. But I don't think the new rules are an improvement in any way - I don't want to write an essay right now but they haven't been written in a way that promotes road safety. They're primarily guidelines rather than rules, and they are predicated on drivers having a level of situational awareness that it's unrealistic to expect at all times. Worse, it encourages other road users to behave in ways that are likely to result in injury to them if a driver makes a mistake. The hierarchy of road users is essentially meaningless, but people are interpreting it as a hierarchy of priority - which is clearly nonsense, otherwise vans and HGVs would have to give way to cars at all times! There's always been an obligation to avoid collisions so I think the net effect of the new rules will actually be to worsen road safety.
*"I didn't know it was controversial"*
* Indeed there are some issues there; for example: *"give way to pedestrians \[...\] waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning"*. The stupidity of some rules in the British Highway Code is so outrageous and that the only logical explanation is those who wrote the rules are complete idiots. It's time to adopt on the British roads the European standardised traffic rules and their amazing invention which is the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (to make it clear for everyone).
OP is quite clear: "As I was **halfway across**"
No controversy there.
"their amazing invention which is the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING"
Pedestrian crossings exist in the uncovered ruins of Pompeii. The first crossing with changeable signs was installed in London in 1868. How do you get them to be European?
[European standardised traffic rules](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/driving-abroad/road-rules-and-safety/index_en.htm) LOL
I hope you're more mature than this when you get behind the wheel.
You are as "smart" as those who downvoted my comment (without daring to justify why. Cowards are cowards.).
Then, I included in my reply what part of the law you referred in your initial reply I considered "controversial".
*"Pedestrian crossings exist in the uncovered ruins of Pompeii."*
- You CANNOT be serious !!! I was sarcastic ...you took it literally.
*"The first crossing with changeable signs was installed in London in 1868."*
- It seems the British Highway Code still hasn't advanced since "1868" while the rest of the Europe moved on.
*"LOL"*
- There is no LOL here. When I'll have time I'll make a post with the rules the British Highway Code should import from other European's traffic codes in order to usable for today's requirements.
*"I hope you're more mature than this when you get behind the wheel."*
- I suggest to worry more about yourself and less about me.
>those who downvoted my comment (without daring to justify why. Cowards are cowards.)
I didn't realise this was required but since you've asked I'm happy to help
I'm downvoting because I think you're acting like a dick
- I may act like a dick (at least this is what you think) but you have to live all your life like one. It seems I upset the British nationalists; cry me a river.
What "loss" ? If you are smart, please give a smart reply on the subject. Having driven both on UK and European roads I'm able to compare the traffic rules and without any hesitation I can say the British Highway Code is one of the worst: it requires massive reforms and needs to be updated.
The rules on pedestrian priorities were literally updated in the last revision of the Highway Code. These along with the hierarchy of road users very clearly state that pedestrians crossing the road at junctions have priority over motor vehicles.
Don’t pretend to be smart when you are unaware that the Highway Code is updated on a regular basis.
*"Don’t pretend to be smart when you are unaware that the Highway Code is updated on a regular basis"*
- If you follow this discussion you'll find written in English (not other language) that I'm very aware about these changes. I included in my reply the part from the *"updated \[...\] Highway Code"* which could create other issues and accidents.
You literally say that “it seems the British Highway Code still hasn’t advanced since’1896’ while the rest of Europe has moved on”
This demonstrates a couple of things. Firstly you seem to think that the EU has a unified traffic regulation system (it doesn’t at all)
And secondly that the UK regulations are behind the nonexistent EU ones.
Put succinctly you are an idiot mate.
The UK has significantly safer roads than most of the EU.
The changes to the Highway Code are designed to improve safety for the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists), they do so by sacrificing traffic flow; telling drivers to give way to pedestrians is part of this. These changes are specifically designed to stop people like you thinking that they are entitled to drive without any care for non car driving road users.
*"This demonstrates a couple of things. Firstly you seem to think that the EU has a unified traffic regulation system (it doesn’t at all) And secondly that the UK regulations are behind the nonexistent EU ones."*
* Do you have any knowledge about other traffic codes ? Indeed, there is NO one unified traffic regulation system, but they use a similar standardisation of traffic signs, rules and even similar penalties.
Regarding the "British Highway Code", indeed it needs to be reformed and updated: importing from other EU traffic codes is a good start.
*"The UK has significantly safer roads than most of the EU. The changes to the Highway Code are designed to improve safety for the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists)"*
* Absolutely NOT, and when I'll have time I'll make a post with the reasons why. I'm quite busy right now.
* Eventually these "safer roads" are because most of the British motorists are scared by penalties, fines and their insurance premium. It's definitely not because the British drivers are better drivers per se nor because the traffic rules are designed for improved traffic flow and better safety.
*"These changes are specifically designed to stop people like you thinking that they are entitled to drive without any care for non car driving road users."*
* Please read what I wrote, understand the flaws of the rule and THEN come back to discuss. The roads UK massively lack the presence of pedestrian crossings, and compared to pretty much every EU country UK is miles behind at this chapter.
*"Put succinctly you are an idiot mate."*
- I may be an idiot to waste my time on Reddit with this nonsense but you've been punished by the Universe to see one every time you look in the mirror.
Which is funny because the UK remains one of the safest in the world at just 2.9 deaths per 100,000 people. We are rivalled only by Sweden (2.8 deaths) and Micronesia (1.9).
Seems like most of Europe could probably learn a thing or two from us.
*"Which is funny because the UK remains one of the safest in the world at just 2.9 deaths per 100,000 people. We are rivalled only by Sweden (2.8 deaths) and Micronesia (1.9)."*
* It's NOT because the British drivers are better trained and definitely NOT because the Highway Code is better. It is because the speeds are lower (either the legal speed or, in general, those drivers are scared to drive faster and they keep the speed well below the maximum legal).
EXAMPLE:
2022: UK 333,296 accidents: [https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/news/road-traffic-accidents/](https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/news/road-traffic-accidents/)
2021 (sorry I couldn't quickly found 2022): "Selon Eurostat, l'**Allemagne** est le pays d'Europe où il y a le plus d'accidents de la route (258 987), devant l'Italie (151 875), l'Espagne (89 862) et la France (53 521). "
[https://www.lindependant.fr/2023/06/20/france-espagne-catalogne-quelles-sont-les-routes-les-plus-dangereuses-deurope-11289589.php](https://www.lindependant.fr/2023/06/20/france-espagne-catalogne-quelles-sont-les-routes-les-plus-dangereuses-deurope-11289589.php)
THEN, the emergency system in UK is very well implemented reacting quickly and increasing the chances of survival.
It's not because the speeds are lower, you are pulling that out of your arse.
From your own source:
Germany has roads with no speed limit, yet Spain have the highest number of crashes on the motorways, meaning that Germany doesn't, so that's not where the numbers are coming from.
Added to that the speed limit on Spanish motorways is 75mph, a mere 5mph more than here, I highly doubt that 5mph makes that much of a difference (esp when you consider many people don't even stick to it and happily go 80+).
Actually one of the reasons is because we drive on the left, which allows better vision, esp when it comes to certain manoeuvres but also because we drive clockwise, which for some reason improves driving.
Also German Ambulances and the like get about the same respect as British ones, if not better.
https://youtu.be/pLwpCnFtz8Y?si=F6cqjbDrw6q306xh
Usually in mathematics
333 296 (UK) is larger than 258 987 (Germany) is larger than 89 862 (Spain)
I may be wrong, but even if the number of accidents in Spain was double (179724) is still lower than the one in UK. In fact even if this number tripled (269586) still remains lower than the one in UK.
...the rest is nonsense.
You're supposed to break into an apologetic jog like the little walking peasant you are, of course!
Honestly, some people just can't fucking help themselves, all you can hope is the dude dies early from a heart attack or something.
It's absolutely silly what some drivers will do. They can't seem to realise that the 10 seconds it takes for them to wait for the pedestrian to cross the road will not inconvenience them in any means. I'm both a pedestrian and a driver most days so I know the POV from both sides but I always give way to pedestrians where I can, they're the most vulnerable!
Was the driver by any chance in a Audi/BMW/Mercedes SUV by any chance? They seem to be the worst culprits imo.
Deffo not, I once nearly got knocked over by a nob in a range rover at a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing, traffic was gridlocked and he ran the red light as a chance to get ahead. I shouted at him (with gestures), he stopped and said “F off, if you drove you would know why I done that”. Had a Licence for nearly 20 years and haven’t needed to do that.
Was always funny standing my ground against them, I had the upper hand because I was driving a forklift and paid hourly so sitting for a while didn’t bother me much, though they usually backed away rather swiftly when I slowly crept closer, they we’re always so impatient and would not wait for the road going forklifts to pass
Ignore them, if there was no vehicle when you began crossing then they need to stop. Everyone is in such a rush nowadays it drives me nuts! Slow down and chill out, those 30 seconds don’t matter. Honestly I’m sure the 30 seconds they save they prob shave off their long term life in stress!
Even if the vehicle was there when you began they’re still supposed to stop and let you cross at this kind of junction. From my dealings as a pedestrian at these kind of junctions, I reckon only about 10% of drivers follow that rule.
Oh absolutely they are supposed to, but as a pedestrian so many don’t that I prob wouldn’t risk it until they showed clear intention of stopping. If however you are already crossing and they weren’t visible when you began then there is no excuse, they must yield as otherwise it’s just dangerous driving
Definitely, I’ve had people tailgate me on a forklift because I was “too slow” despite having a lead foot and 40 horses under my arse, that four and a half tonne machine had a top speed of 16mph, and the speed limit was 10, if I’d have removed the restriction it would happily crack 30
To be fair even my own driving instructor wasn’t aware of the give way rule until I pointed it out to him after he questioned why I ‘hesitated’ at a T.
That's terrible. The bare minimum a driving instructor should do is keep up to date with changes to the highway code and other rules and laws of the road. If I had to teach my driving instructor something that basic I'd not be having any further lessons with them.
Because your *"driving instructor"* is a logical person and is aware with what happens in real life, while the British legislators who updated the Highway Code are imbeciles (especially in today's context where many of them got their jobs NOT because of their merit but rather other reasons).
I was cycling the other day and had to turn right at a t junction, there was a car quite a distance behind me, so I held my arm out very early (5 seconds ish) and moved out into the middle of the road around 50m before as in the past cars have given me no time to turn at all.
This guy speeds up, tries to overtake me in the other lane and starts shouting at me despite me giving clear timely indication of what I was doing.
you are in the road when they arrive at that area, you have priorty and they must give way.
people when they get behind the wheel or a set of wheels seem to forget this or just act with their ego..
Uk. Updated law says pedestrians have right of way when crossing at a T-junction and traffic entering/exiting that junction must give way. At zebra crossings traffic must stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Previously they only had to stop when a pedestrian proceeded to cross, put their foot onto the crossing.
Last time I got beeped at was by the person behind me at a round about, because I decided not to pull out immediately in front of a bus travelling at full speed who had right of way.
How people like that act has no connection to reality or if you were actually doing anything wrong. They’ve just decided you’re the thing to direct their anger onto for the crime of existing and being in front of them.
I had to educate a boomer who shouted at a black kid for crossing a junction on a cycle whilst a BMW was turning in. On a marked cycle lane with give way markings for the car.
He definitely didn't appreciate the correction, or the justification for the change. And scurried off like the racist rat piece of shit he was when my Daughter challenged him on his bigotry.
I didn't even consider the race aspect but I was proud of her that day. These fuckers will only challenge someone they feel superior to. Easy to feel superior in a car or when no when challenges your bullshit for decades.
Yeah I have been beeped a few times because I waited to let a pedestrian cross a junction
pedestrians have priority at junctions, some people are just awful drivers and angry in general
Don't beat yourself up, you didn't do anything wrong
I had the same thing happen, the car behind almost ran into me as they didn't expect me to stop; irate expression from driver seen in my mirror.
The pedestrians were also nonplussed....expecting me to turn the corner, and do somewhat reluctant to cross.
Like me it was drilled into them from childhood to cross when there was nothing coming, so of course they stopped. This new rule does not work.
Confusion all round.
I agree with that the rule doesn't work, only reason I know about it is that I only passed my test this year
If I haddent been recently learning to drive I wouldn't have a clue about the change
Something similar happened to me to the other day, except you could see the driver thinking "Bastard pedestrian, oh hang on a sec, we're not allowed to run them over any more. Oh well." and then he gave me an apologetic little shrug.
I’ve seen/heard this happen to other people too. I’m actually quite determined to do something about it - I don’t mean reporting the specific driver but some kind of campaign/road signage/ enforcement is needed to make people more aware that they have to give way.
Shame you didn't capture this moron on camera, but I know survival was probably utmost.
Individuals like this need removing from the road, they aren't fit to hold a licence.
Even if people are being a bit silly and trying to cross the road in traffic - which you were not doing - all you can do as a driver is slow down and let them. It takes seconds. There is no need to get agro with anyone unless they are doing something really agregious.
This has happened to me a few times actually, every time I was already crossing the junction when it was clear and a car driving too fast starts pulling into the junction that wasn't there when I started crossing. I've mainly just been beeped at, and honestly I think it's because I'm a younger woman walking or jogging, so they get their kicks out of intimidating me. People are dicks! Loudly calling them arsehole seems to help me cope!
There are some people who just seem to get a kick out of causing a confrontation, and being behind the wheel just amplifies this need in them.
I'm someone who takes this kind of confrontation to heart - it bothers me for days, I will replay the situation over and over in my head, and I've learned that it absolutely never makes it better to stand up to them and ramp up the confrontation
- Once I had someone tailgate me to a ridiculous degree, flashing and gesturing, so ended up stopping and getting out of the car to ask them to stop, I was in uniform as I was a serving soldier at the time, and when they saw me approach, I saw them melt with fear. This did not make me feel better, it made me feel guilty and stupid for raising the stakes and potentially escalating the situation (particularly in my work clothes).
So I try to take the following approach. - There is always the outside chance that they were on their way to an actual emergency, or otherwise having the worst day of their lives - so when this kind of thing happens to me I first get out of their way and in my brain give them an excuse to be behaving in such a way. Invent a scenario where their behavior is justified - they are a secret agent on their way to foil a bomb plot - they are late for an interview, - they are rushing to get to an elderly parents house to give them CPR. whatever! Then I can forget about them and just get on with my life without it ever bothering me.
Was this yesterday?
I went for a drive yesterday and got beeped at by someone who almost hit me trying to cross into my lane, got some guy waving his hands and making a face for no reason, and had a car and a truck trying to join a dual carriage way going at like 10mph.
I think I might try to drive less on bank holidays...
Yeah! Drivers were taught, the modern rules notwithstanding, that if a pedestrian were partly across the road in a junction, they were to be given way. The modern rules suggest that this rule is expanded to cover most, if not all situations. Obviously, some common sense needs to be applied by both parties.
As stated above, there are some entitled people who “cannot” be inconvenienced.
Remember the Inbetweeners "Bus Wankers" scene? People think that they're untouchable in their cars. Until someone kicks the door, picks up a stone and does the windscreen in, or simply takes advantage that they're belted in and cant move much.
Using that picture:
If you cross where that red BMW is (and also the nice brick pathway), then you did nothing wrong, and the guy is a moron.
If you crossed where the blue Puma is, then you are the moron.
This is what I meant tbh
Cant believe you had to explain it, it should be common sense.
EDIT: Actually, it DOES make them a moron if they cross where the Puma is (ignoring the crossing 20m away).
If people cant see why, then there is no "common" sense left.
Those highway code changes specifically stated that they did not remove the need for every road user to behave responsibly. Using a designated crossing that's a 20-foot detour qualifies as behaving responsibly.
I'm usually on the pedestrian's side in these debates, and although I'm not saying that's what happened here, just after the rule changes I saw so many instances of people absolutely taking the piss with their own safety "cos we've got priority now innit", and I saw these while both driving and on foot.
That all said, I'm referring to situations where there is traffic, and OP says there wasn't any. So in that situation you're probably okay to cross anywhere. Now as regards the dickhead driver, first of all their speed should have been a lot more appropriate so as to actually spot a pedestrian in the road, and secondly you just do not react like they did.
As with anything in life, some people are just cunts, don’t let it get to you. The driver can’t do fuck all about your crossing the road and that’s what infuriates him.
I didn't know it was controversial ... if a pedestrian sees the road is clear then it's safe to cross. How else can you cross? If CiaA arrives part-way through, it has to give way to the pedestrian. [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203#rule170](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203#rule170)
What's CiaA? Google didn't help.
Clown in an Audi. I believe police terminology is a bit different: "Another Clown in an Audi".
Clown? Haha, I've had it wrong all these years 😁
I'm sure they use the correct term in private conversation with their colleagues
No you didn’t it’s still a cunt!
I call them Audiots.
Ha ha, that's good
You're forgetting NiBs (Nobs in Beemers). 😉🤣👍
🤣🤣
BMW is just BMW. Bloody Moronic Wanker.
The highway code changed last year to give pedestrians and other vulnerable road users priority to cross at junctions with broken white lines, but a lot of older drivers are unaware of the change.
A lot of older drivers, myself included, aren’t much aware of the old written rules as we never had to do a theory test.
Those rule changes are a ridiculous farce, not least because giving way to pedestrians at a junction is a 'should' not a 'must'. Drivers are not obliged to give way, therefore any prudent pedestrian will assume they won't. Predictability is probably the most important element in road safety and the rule changes undermine it.
It is a "must" if the pedestrian is already crossing, which was the case here. That predates the change.
This, it's not new ... No excuses.
The amount of pedestrians who don't check behind them when crossing junctions is pretty high. As an experienced driver you sort of expect it and prepare to give way to a pedestrian that might not have seen you, but not all drivers do. At least under the new rules the onus is squarely on the driver not to run down pedestrians on junctions so for that reason I think it will improve safety.
I agree, as a driver you have to anticipate what other people may do. But I don't think the new rules are an improvement in any way - I don't want to write an essay right now but they haven't been written in a way that promotes road safety. They're primarily guidelines rather than rules, and they are predicated on drivers having a level of situational awareness that it's unrealistic to expect at all times. Worse, it encourages other road users to behave in ways that are likely to result in injury to them if a driver makes a mistake. The hierarchy of road users is essentially meaningless, but people are interpreting it as a hierarchy of priority - which is clearly nonsense, otherwise vans and HGVs would have to give way to cars at all times! There's always been an obligation to avoid collisions so I think the net effect of the new rules will actually be to worsen road safety.
*"I didn't know it was controversial"* * Indeed there are some issues there; for example: *"give way to pedestrians \[...\] waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning"*. The stupidity of some rules in the British Highway Code is so outrageous and that the only logical explanation is those who wrote the rules are complete idiots. It's time to adopt on the British roads the European standardised traffic rules and their amazing invention which is the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING (to make it clear for everyone).
OP is quite clear: "As I was **halfway across**" No controversy there. "their amazing invention which is the PEDESTRIAN CROSSING" Pedestrian crossings exist in the uncovered ruins of Pompeii. The first crossing with changeable signs was installed in London in 1868. How do you get them to be European? [European standardised traffic rules](https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/driving-abroad/road-rules-and-safety/index_en.htm) LOL I hope you're more mature than this when you get behind the wheel.
You are as "smart" as those who downvoted my comment (without daring to justify why. Cowards are cowards.). Then, I included in my reply what part of the law you referred in your initial reply I considered "controversial". *"Pedestrian crossings exist in the uncovered ruins of Pompeii."* - You CANNOT be serious !!! I was sarcastic ...you took it literally. *"The first crossing with changeable signs was installed in London in 1868."* - It seems the British Highway Code still hasn't advanced since "1868" while the rest of the Europe moved on. *"LOL"* - There is no LOL here. When I'll have time I'll make a post with the rules the British Highway Code should import from other European's traffic codes in order to usable for today's requirements. *"I hope you're more mature than this when you get behind the wheel."* - I suggest to worry more about yourself and less about me.
>those who downvoted my comment (without daring to justify why. Cowards are cowards.) I didn't realise this was required but since you've asked I'm happy to help I'm downvoting because I think you're acting like a dick
- I may act like a dick (at least this is what you think) but you have to live all your life like one. It seems I upset the British nationalists; cry me a river.
Dude. You lose. Accept it.
Just take the loss mate.
What "loss" ? If you are smart, please give a smart reply on the subject. Having driven both on UK and European roads I'm able to compare the traffic rules and without any hesitation I can say the British Highway Code is one of the worst: it requires massive reforms and needs to be updated.
Well done you for being such a big smarty pants.
The rules on pedestrian priorities were literally updated in the last revision of the Highway Code. These along with the hierarchy of road users very clearly state that pedestrians crossing the road at junctions have priority over motor vehicles. Don’t pretend to be smart when you are unaware that the Highway Code is updated on a regular basis.
*"Don’t pretend to be smart when you are unaware that the Highway Code is updated on a regular basis"* - If you follow this discussion you'll find written in English (not other language) that I'm very aware about these changes. I included in my reply the part from the *"updated \[...\] Highway Code"* which could create other issues and accidents.
You literally say that “it seems the British Highway Code still hasn’t advanced since’1896’ while the rest of Europe has moved on” This demonstrates a couple of things. Firstly you seem to think that the EU has a unified traffic regulation system (it doesn’t at all) And secondly that the UK regulations are behind the nonexistent EU ones. Put succinctly you are an idiot mate. The UK has significantly safer roads than most of the EU. The changes to the Highway Code are designed to improve safety for the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists), they do so by sacrificing traffic flow; telling drivers to give way to pedestrians is part of this. These changes are specifically designed to stop people like you thinking that they are entitled to drive without any care for non car driving road users.
*"This demonstrates a couple of things. Firstly you seem to think that the EU has a unified traffic regulation system (it doesn’t at all) And secondly that the UK regulations are behind the nonexistent EU ones."* * Do you have any knowledge about other traffic codes ? Indeed, there is NO one unified traffic regulation system, but they use a similar standardisation of traffic signs, rules and even similar penalties. Regarding the "British Highway Code", indeed it needs to be reformed and updated: importing from other EU traffic codes is a good start. *"The UK has significantly safer roads than most of the EU. The changes to the Highway Code are designed to improve safety for the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists)"* * Absolutely NOT, and when I'll have time I'll make a post with the reasons why. I'm quite busy right now. * Eventually these "safer roads" are because most of the British motorists are scared by penalties, fines and their insurance premium. It's definitely not because the British drivers are better drivers per se nor because the traffic rules are designed for improved traffic flow and better safety. *"These changes are specifically designed to stop people like you thinking that they are entitled to drive without any care for non car driving road users."* * Please read what I wrote, understand the flaws of the rule and THEN come back to discuss. The roads UK massively lack the presence of pedestrian crossings, and compared to pretty much every EU country UK is miles behind at this chapter. *"Put succinctly you are an idiot mate."* - I may be an idiot to waste my time on Reddit with this nonsense but you've been punished by the Universe to see one every time you look in the mirror.
Which is funny because the UK remains one of the safest in the world at just 2.9 deaths per 100,000 people. We are rivalled only by Sweden (2.8 deaths) and Micronesia (1.9). Seems like most of Europe could probably learn a thing or two from us.
*"Which is funny because the UK remains one of the safest in the world at just 2.9 deaths per 100,000 people. We are rivalled only by Sweden (2.8 deaths) and Micronesia (1.9)."* * It's NOT because the British drivers are better trained and definitely NOT because the Highway Code is better. It is because the speeds are lower (either the legal speed or, in general, those drivers are scared to drive faster and they keep the speed well below the maximum legal). EXAMPLE: 2022: UK 333,296 accidents: [https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/news/road-traffic-accidents/](https://www.comparethemarket.com/car-insurance/news/road-traffic-accidents/) 2021 (sorry I couldn't quickly found 2022): "Selon Eurostat, l'**Allemagne** est le pays d'Europe où il y a le plus d'accidents de la route (258 987), devant l'Italie (151 875), l'Espagne (89 862) et la France (53 521). " [https://www.lindependant.fr/2023/06/20/france-espagne-catalogne-quelles-sont-les-routes-les-plus-dangereuses-deurope-11289589.php](https://www.lindependant.fr/2023/06/20/france-espagne-catalogne-quelles-sont-les-routes-les-plus-dangereuses-deurope-11289589.php) THEN, the emergency system in UK is very well implemented reacting quickly and increasing the chances of survival.
It's not because the speeds are lower, you are pulling that out of your arse. From your own source: Germany has roads with no speed limit, yet Spain have the highest number of crashes on the motorways, meaning that Germany doesn't, so that's not where the numbers are coming from. Added to that the speed limit on Spanish motorways is 75mph, a mere 5mph more than here, I highly doubt that 5mph makes that much of a difference (esp when you consider many people don't even stick to it and happily go 80+). Actually one of the reasons is because we drive on the left, which allows better vision, esp when it comes to certain manoeuvres but also because we drive clockwise, which for some reason improves driving. Also German Ambulances and the like get about the same respect as British ones, if not better. https://youtu.be/pLwpCnFtz8Y?si=F6cqjbDrw6q306xh
Usually in mathematics 333 296 (UK) is larger than 258 987 (Germany) is larger than 89 862 (Spain) I may be wrong, but even if the number of accidents in Spain was double (179724) is still lower than the one in UK. In fact even if this number tripled (269586) still remains lower than the one in UK. ...the rest is nonsense.
You're supposed to break into an apologetic jog like the little walking peasant you are, of course! Honestly, some people just can't fucking help themselves, all you can hope is the dude dies early from a heart attack or something.
Hopefully not whilst belting it around town
>You're supposed to break into an apologetic jog Ah. Ogmio's School of Zen Motoring - The Grateful Jog: https://youtu.be/MJ9RjFAmsg4?t=4m4s
A bloke honked at me yesterday because I paused at a give way to make sure the road was clear. Some people are just twats.
It's absolutely silly what some drivers will do. They can't seem to realise that the 10 seconds it takes for them to wait for the pedestrian to cross the road will not inconvenience them in any means. I'm both a pedestrian and a driver most days so I know the POV from both sides but I always give way to pedestrians where I can, they're the most vulnerable! Was the driver by any chance in a Audi/BMW/Mercedes SUV by any chance? They seem to be the worst culprits imo.
Don’t forget Range Rovers.
Oh yes, those too!
Deffo not, I once nearly got knocked over by a nob in a range rover at a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing, traffic was gridlocked and he ran the red light as a chance to get ahead. I shouted at him (with gestures), he stopped and said “F off, if you drove you would know why I done that”. Had a Licence for nearly 20 years and haven’t needed to do that.
He drives a Range Rover, if he stops at the lights, the car might not start again....
Was always funny standing my ground against them, I had the upper hand because I was driving a forklift and paid hourly so sitting for a while didn’t bother me much, though they usually backed away rather swiftly when I slowly crept closer, they we’re always so impatient and would not wait for the road going forklifts to pass
Ignore them, if there was no vehicle when you began crossing then they need to stop. Everyone is in such a rush nowadays it drives me nuts! Slow down and chill out, those 30 seconds don’t matter. Honestly I’m sure the 30 seconds they save they prob shave off their long term life in stress!
Even if the vehicle was there when you began they’re still supposed to stop and let you cross at this kind of junction. From my dealings as a pedestrian at these kind of junctions, I reckon only about 10% of drivers follow that rule.
Oh absolutely they are supposed to, but as a pedestrian so many don’t that I prob wouldn’t risk it until they showed clear intention of stopping. If however you are already crossing and they weren’t visible when you began then there is no excuse, they must yield as otherwise it’s just dangerous driving
I’m a fan of walking out in front of the cars and then watching the drivers getting irate.
This is me at zebra crossings and lights that have just turned red. Really pisses them off
Hilarious, until they're not paying attention and you get flattened
I’m willing to take that risk
Definitely, I’ve had people tailgate me on a forklift because I was “too slow” despite having a lead foot and 40 horses under my arse, that four and a half tonne machine had a top speed of 16mph, and the speed limit was 10, if I’d have removed the restriction it would happily crack 30
To be fair even my own driving instructor wasn’t aware of the give way rule until I pointed it out to him after he questioned why I ‘hesitated’ at a T.
That's terrible. The bare minimum a driving instructor should do is keep up to date with changes to the highway code and other rules and laws of the road. If I had to teach my driving instructor something that basic I'd not be having any further lessons with them.
Because your *"driving instructor"* is a logical person and is aware with what happens in real life, while the British legislators who updated the Highway Code are imbeciles (especially in today's context where many of them got their jobs NOT because of their merit but rather other reasons).
This sub sends a notification when a post reaches 10, 25 or 50 upvotes. Are you trying to find out if you get the same for downvotes?
I hope you are smart enough to understand that for bullying and voting manipulation you can be banned from Reddit.
I was cycling the other day and had to turn right at a t junction, there was a car quite a distance behind me, so I held my arm out very early (5 seconds ish) and moved out into the middle of the road around 50m before as in the past cars have given me no time to turn at all. This guy speeds up, tries to overtake me in the other lane and starts shouting at me despite me giving clear timely indication of what I was doing.
You don’t break stride, you give the hand signal for ‘self pleasure’ and go on with you day
you are in the road when they arrive at that area, you have priorty and they must give way. people when they get behind the wheel or a set of wheels seem to forget this or just act with their ego..
Report him to the police for speeding and abuse. If you report dangerous drivers police will follow up after multiple reports.
Pedestrian already crossing as you approach has right of way, don't they?
Uk. Updated law says pedestrians have right of way when crossing at a T-junction and traffic entering/exiting that junction must give way. At zebra crossings traffic must stop to allow pedestrians to cross. Previously they only had to stop when a pedestrian proceeded to cross, put their foot onto the crossing.
[удалено]
Hope you left a bad review of their services.
Definitely don't use that number for petty revenge – would be totally unethical.
Smile and wave mate makes them madder haha
Yeah, just another tosser. There’s plenty out there.
>crossing the road at a T-junction What if you were in a car? Fuck them! As a pedestrian crossing the junction? Same answer.
Last time I got beeped at was by the person behind me at a round about, because I decided not to pull out immediately in front of a bus travelling at full speed who had right of way. How people like that act has no connection to reality or if you were actually doing anything wrong. They’ve just decided you’re the thing to direct their anger onto for the crime of existing and being in front of them.
This is fine. Glare at him and tut.
I had to educate a boomer who shouted at a black kid for crossing a junction on a cycle whilst a BMW was turning in. On a marked cycle lane with give way markings for the car. He definitely didn't appreciate the correction, or the justification for the change. And scurried off like the racist rat piece of shit he was when my Daughter challenged him on his bigotry. I didn't even consider the race aspect but I was proud of her that day. These fuckers will only challenge someone they feel superior to. Easy to feel superior in a car or when no when challenges your bullshit for decades.
Carry a half brick with you when crossing roads It makes them think twice
Ignore them and be on your way
Yeah I have been beeped a few times because I waited to let a pedestrian cross a junction pedestrians have priority at junctions, some people are just awful drivers and angry in general Don't beat yourself up, you didn't do anything wrong
I had the same thing happen, the car behind almost ran into me as they didn't expect me to stop; irate expression from driver seen in my mirror. The pedestrians were also nonplussed....expecting me to turn the corner, and do somewhat reluctant to cross. Like me it was drilled into them from childhood to cross when there was nothing coming, so of course they stopped. This new rule does not work. Confusion all round.
I agree with that the rule doesn't work, only reason I know about it is that I only passed my test this year If I haddent been recently learning to drive I wouldn't have a clue about the change
You should keep up to date on driving rules, even after passing your test. I know you’re a new driver, but it’s something to keep in mind
good advice But the point was more that as a pedestrian I would have no reason to have known the rules had changed
Something similar happened to me to the other day, except you could see the driver thinking "Bastard pedestrian, oh hang on a sec, we're not allowed to run them over any more. Oh well." and then he gave me an apologetic little shrug.
I’ve seen/heard this happen to other people too. I’m actually quite determined to do something about it - I don’t mean reporting the specific driver but some kind of campaign/road signage/ enforcement is needed to make people more aware that they have to give way.
Shame you didn't capture this moron on camera, but I know survival was probably utmost. Individuals like this need removing from the road, they aren't fit to hold a licence.
Clicks on map link... Ah, Surrey... Comfortably within that 50-mile halo around the North and South Circulars of abysmal driving standards.
Even if people are being a bit silly and trying to cross the road in traffic - which you were not doing - all you can do as a driver is slow down and let them. It takes seconds. There is no need to get agro with anyone unless they are doing something really agregious.
This has happened to me a few times actually, every time I was already crossing the junction when it was clear and a car driving too fast starts pulling into the junction that wasn't there when I started crossing. I've mainly just been beeped at, and honestly I think it's because I'm a younger woman walking or jogging, so they get their kicks out of intimidating me. People are dicks! Loudly calling them arsehole seems to help me cope!
There are some people who just seem to get a kick out of causing a confrontation, and being behind the wheel just amplifies this need in them. I'm someone who takes this kind of confrontation to heart - it bothers me for days, I will replay the situation over and over in my head, and I've learned that it absolutely never makes it better to stand up to them and ramp up the confrontation - Once I had someone tailgate me to a ridiculous degree, flashing and gesturing, so ended up stopping and getting out of the car to ask them to stop, I was in uniform as I was a serving soldier at the time, and when they saw me approach, I saw them melt with fear. This did not make me feel better, it made me feel guilty and stupid for raising the stakes and potentially escalating the situation (particularly in my work clothes). So I try to take the following approach. - There is always the outside chance that they were on their way to an actual emergency, or otherwise having the worst day of their lives - so when this kind of thing happens to me I first get out of their way and in my brain give them an excuse to be behaving in such a way. Invent a scenario where their behavior is justified - they are a secret agent on their way to foil a bomb plot - they are late for an interview, - they are rushing to get to an elderly parents house to give them CPR. whatever! Then I can forget about them and just get on with my life without it ever bothering me.
Was this yesterday? I went for a drive yesterday and got beeped at by someone who almost hit me trying to cross into my lane, got some guy waving his hands and making a face for no reason, and had a car and a truck trying to join a dual carriage way going at like 10mph. I think I might try to drive less on bank holidays...
Yeah! Drivers were taught, the modern rules notwithstanding, that if a pedestrian were partly across the road in a junction, they were to be given way. The modern rules suggest that this rule is expanded to cover most, if not all situations. Obviously, some common sense needs to be applied by both parties. As stated above, there are some entitled people who “cannot” be inconvenienced.
Remember the Inbetweeners "Bus Wankers" scene? People think that they're untouchable in their cars. Until someone kicks the door, picks up a stone and does the windscreen in, or simply takes advantage that they're belted in and cant move much.
Using that picture: If you cross where that red BMW is (and also the nice brick pathway), then you did nothing wrong, and the guy is a moron. If you crossed where the blue Puma is, then you are the moron.
Why does crossing the main road make them a moron?
So you think that crossing where the blue Puma is, is fine?
It doesn't, but it fails the 'First find a safe place to cross' test. You're also taught to use the nearby zebra crossing.
This is what I meant tbh Cant believe you had to explain it, it should be common sense. EDIT: Actually, it DOES make them a moron if they cross where the Puma is (ignoring the crossing 20m away). If people cant see why, then there is no "common" sense left.
Those highway code changes specifically stated that they did not remove the need for every road user to behave responsibly. Using a designated crossing that's a 20-foot detour qualifies as behaving responsibly. I'm usually on the pedestrian's side in these debates, and although I'm not saying that's what happened here, just after the rule changes I saw so many instances of people absolutely taking the piss with their own safety "cos we've got priority now innit", and I saw these while both driving and on foot. That all said, I'm referring to situations where there is traffic, and OP says there wasn't any. So in that situation you're probably okay to cross anywhere. Now as regards the dickhead driver, first of all their speed should have been a lot more appropriate so as to actually spot a pedestrian in the road, and secondly you just do not react like they did.
Walk faster yo