For anyone new to reading this little bloggy-blog.... on Wednesdays I'm 'committed' to writing about something kind of wacky that we have discovered since our move to the wonderful state of Oregon. I'm only on week 12, so we'll see how long I can keep this up. :)
The residents in our little Oregon town take the "Pedestrians have the right of way concept" to an entire new level. Enough so that someone was kind enough to give Marty the heads up about when we first moved here. Marty passed the info on to me and my thought was "not a big deal.... really?".
No really. It is OOC ("out of control" for anyone who isn't up on the latest, coolest abbreviations). Seriously to the point that I think it causes safety concerns for pedestrians and drivers. Maybe I am being dramatic.... but I think it is NUTS. Here are some examples (it is the worst in the downtown area, but bad other places too - maybe just the West side of town?):
*On more than one occasion in the little downtown area, a driver in front of me has STOPPED at a GREEN LIGHT to let a pedestrian cross in the crosswalk. Seriously. WHAT? How is that a good idea? I cannot even wrap my mind around that one.
*There was one evening when I parked downtown just across the street from where I was wanting to go. I technically should have walked over the closest crosswalk to safely cross the street, but I just wanted to wait for a break in traffic (which is not that intense) and dart across. Cars were slowing to stop for me to cross, so I felt the need to kind of hide behind the car next to mine so they wouldn't stop (because I think it is ridiculous & not safe). Cars do that all the time. ALL the time. Just STOP, wherever they are, to let a pedestrian cross.
* As mentioned previously in a Wacky Wed post, there are a lot of traffic circles here.... which mean very few stop lights. And a lot of pedestrian crossings just scattered throughout the roads. Even the more "major" roads (we're not talking four lane here... just speed-limit-35-major road or heavily-traveled-numerous-traffic-circle road). Many people use the crosswalks, but some don't. They just wait on the side of the road and cars will stop for them. In the middle of a "major" road. I am guessing this is more a "West-side" problem, but I don't know for sure?
Maybe I am more passionate about this then I need to be.... and maybe I'll get more used to it with time. Right now, I feel like there should be signs on the back of all cars that yield to pedestrians at green lights or places other than designated crosswalks:
"CAUTION, THIS VEHICLE MAKES FREQUENT, SUDDEN AND UNPREDICTABLE STOPS FOR PEDESTRIANS"
It does make me a much more alert driver because I never know when someone ahead of me is going to stop. I personally only stop for pedestrians waiting at a crosswalk and I do not stop if I have a green light (come on people, they have a "Don't Walk" sign).
I can understand your frustration. I get peeved at kids crossing on "Don't Walk" signs on my way into work every morning - like they're entitled to cross the road whenever they feel like. There's a well thought-out system - use it!
ReplyDeleteHahaha, I love this post! When we moved here I was shocked at the stopping on a green light to let pedestrians pass. And the pedestrians.....they expect it. They will just start across the street and expect you to stop, talk about lame.
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