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There are a lot of hit-and-run incidents in the city, but it seems like there are have been a lot more than normal. Could it be holiday traffic? Darker evenings? Or people are just more careless? A Brooklyn man was killed in Clinton Hill, leaving a restaurant where he watched soccer (the NY Times reports that Lucino Galindo had said if he died, he would want a soccer ball in his coffin). But there are also seem to be a number of careless pedestrian accidents. In the same NY Times article, a seemindly drunk man was hit while walking in the middle of Hylan Boulevard; a witness said the SUV didn't seem to be at fault even though the man was hit like "a rag doll," but the police arrested the driver for drunk driving. And then a man was hit by a car in Chelsea, at Seventh and 17th Street. The driver wasn't charged because the man was talking on his cellphone and crossing against the light; the Post adds that the car "that hit him had swerved to avoid a woman who was also crossing against the light." People! In a perfect world, those idiots on the road would heed by our angry looks, but they don't. Look both ways and don't cross against the light - you never know about those crazy drivers who barrel down the sidestreet and make sharp turns. Be careful! As the DoT says, "Cars Hurt - Stay Alert."
The Department of Transportation's pedestrian safety page. And Transportation Alternatives on pedestrian advocacy.
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As a city cyclist, I'm used to pedestrians stepping out in front of me when I have the light, whether they are in the crosswalk or are flat-out jaywalking. I'm always stunned by the apparent inability of people to actually LOOK before crossing! And people on cell phones seem to be even more likely to do this...
Obviously, it's definitely worse to get hit by a car than a bike (although you can get pretty badly injured by a bike too), but a pedestrian/cyclist collision can also lead to the cyclist getting injured. I really wish people would pay more freakin' attention when they are walking around.
And by the way, I always yield to pedestrians when they have the right-of-way (i.e. the walk signal), but I am well aware that many cyclists do not -- and I am sorry for that!
Exactly, dude. I get the feeling sometimes that pedestrians are daring you to just speed around them, even if that means putting yourself into danger by going further out into traffic. It's like, you have a sidewalk, so USE IT!
And yeah, cyclists who think that they can go the wrong way down the street are idiots. One time I was driving and was trying to pull over to the sidewalk and there was a cyclist going the wrong way and he got all pissy with me, as if the fact that there was a bike lane gave him the right to head down 6th Avenue in the wrong direction! Wouldn't it be nice if people actually bothered to read the city's biking rules which clearly state it's illegal to ride down streets against traffic??
(Obviously, this topic really gets to me)
As a cab driver, oblivious pedestrians are a major headache. What makes it worse is when I have to use the horn to warn them that I may not be able to stop in time and they in turn give me the finger or threaten to beat me up. It often makes me wish I had just hit them, since it would've been their fault for crossing against the light anyway. I mean, I was honking to save you, you asshole!
Also, as someone who was once hit by a car while jaywalking, I can tell you, you're not so tough once you actually get hit. I was on crutches for two months, and in physical therapy for many more. I have been WAY more careful crossing streets, with or without the light, ever since.
New York Hack -- I have to say that out of all the drivers in NYC, I've had the *least* amount of trouble with cab drivers. My theory is that they are more used to sharing the road with bikers and are therefore more respectful. The absolute worst are buses and livery cabs.
Sorry you got hit by a car - that does sound like it sucked.
Dude: I couldn't have said it better myself. My favorite "cyclist with a death wish" combo is:
- no helmet
- no lights
- listening to iPod or talking on cell phone
- going down street the wrong way
Dude, nooooo I just meant they have a death wish for themselves due to their bad cycling choices, not ME having a death wish for them!
Fuck!
A story about people being slaghtered left and right by automobiles (happens all day, every day), and this turns into another "what's wrong with bicyclists" rant by a bunch of assholes.
There are a lot of stupid drivers out there and they tend to lack situational awareness, but there are also a lot of stupid pedestrians out there.
As someone who bikes, and follows the traffic laws, tend to be more situationally aware than most, as it keeps you safe. I notice myself checking things out even when I walk, which is a good thing as there are these evil law breaking cyclists who ride on the sidewalk. I even look both ways when crossing one way streets when walking.
Distracted drivers are quite dangerous, and that tends the be the cause of most accidents. Its also a reason behind no cell phone when driving laws.
Education is needed for all who drive, bike and walk. I get on occasion idiots who scream at me "get out of the road" or "get on the sidewalk" when I am riding in a bike lane! They are ignorant of the law and common sense.