Crossing the street when the little man is red - Page 6

Carlos R · #**101** 15.06.2010, 12:04

	Quote:	AthenaCarey
	Imagine then that in both instances you stop and look both ways to see if there is any traffic that would hinder your safely crossing (either in a car or on foot). That would take speed out of the equation. I'm really not trying to be argumentative. It's just something that popped into my mind as I was reading through this thread. I am at times an over-thinker. But that is a luxury I can afford with all the time I spend stopped at red lights and little red men on empty streets.

In that case, I agree with:

	Quote:	Gastro Gnome
	<snip> ...but there's a huge difference in terms of safety.<snip>

	Quote:	NotAllThere
	<snip> The main point is that (car) jumping a red light is far riskier for all, than (pedestrian) crossing at red.<snip>

So the impact - pardon the pun - of a mistake is greater in a car.

Although I still think visibility is worse in a car than when standing on the side of the road. For starters you are further away from the action (distance from you to road in terms of length of bonnet, visibility with A-pillars, etc.). I drive a big car and when turning corners and especially when a pedestrian crossing is involved, I actively lean forward to make sure there is nothing in my "forward" blind spot... that is, a person could easily be hidden behing my A-pillar if the angle is right (or wrong, depending on where you are standing!)

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the_clangers · #**102** 15.06.2010, 13:04

	Quote:	Gastro Gnome
	That's right death and injury are the same as damage to a car and the psyche of a driver. I said there was a big difference. How is that a weak statement?

Don't forget to include the fact that the fine for one is at least 5 times that of the fine for the other one. I am thinking that the fine for Jaywalking is 50chf, whereas I know the fine for running a red light is at least 250chf. Can be much more if they "determine" that you deliberately ran the light after it turned red, which is the situation that we are discussing.

idefix · #**103** 15.06.2010, 13:10

Here in Lausanne people do it all the time. Perhaps all of em are foreigners like me? Dunno.

Oldhand · #**104** 15.06.2010, 14:15

	Quote:	Gastro Gnome
	Ridiculous scare-mongering. Do you know what the real chances of 'stranger danger' are? Anyway, that's another thread, but please don't spread paranoia where there's no need for it.

I was not scare mongering. Or at least that wasn't my intention. It was pointed out by the traffic officer who handed out the reflective bands for the playgroup kids.

Gastro Gnome · #**105** 15.06.2010, 14:22

	Quote:	Oldhand
	I was not scare mongering. Or at least that wasn't my intention. It was pointed out by the traffic officer who handed out the reflective bands for the playgroup kids.

Another thread . . .

(If you're parroting someone's scaremongering, you are in turn scaremongering)

Serafina · #**106** 15.06.2010, 14:54

	Quote:	Carlos R
	So the impact - pardon the pun - of a mistake is greater in a car. Although I still think visibility is worse in a car than when standing on the side of the road. For starters you are further away from the action (distance from you to road in terms of length of bonnet, visibility with A-pillars, etc.). I drive a big car and when turning corners and especially when a pedestrian crossing is involved, I actively lean forward to make sure there is nothing in my "forward" blind spot... that is, a person could easily be hidden behing my A-pillar if the angle is right (or wrong, depending on where you are standing!) .

Personally, I agree with you. And I do the same leaning forward thing when I am turning in the car.

There are instances when I would cross against the little red man and even instances when I would go through a red light. But the second, in my mind does seem a worse offense. I think personally I feel a greater burden of responsibility when I am driving than when I am walking. Not sure entirely why. Probably for the reason suggested - greater potential to do harm to others.

Carlos R · #**107** 15.06.2010, 21:10

Alternatively, simply avoid all discussion and tutting by crossing nowhere near a pedestrian crossing...

weejeem · #**108** 15.06.2010, 21:24

	Quote:	the_clangers
	After all in Switzerland, the crosswalk is the number one place for pedestrians to die in road accidents.

Well then, let's get rid of all pedestrian crossings and make the country a safer place