People walking on narrow country roads

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 6:02pm #1

What the fcuk is wrong with people walking on narrow country roads? Seriously are they looking to become roadkill?
I'm delighted for them that they are out getting excercise, fresh air etc but would it not make more sense to walk around a gaa pitch or even on a road that has a footpath?
It wouldn't even be so bad if they stepped up onto the grassy bit of the ditch in an effort to get out of the way. But if I have a lorry coming against me then I'm sorry Mr/ Mrs Fat arse but my car isn't magic, it can't leap frog you.
Yet again this evening I very nearly cleaned one of them off.

Random · 13-05-2009 6:05pm

Some people have to get from A to B and don't have a car or decent transport links in the area.

Legs were here before the car.

I just wish they'd all wear high vis jackets to be honest, that way I will see them.

My name is URL · 13-05-2009 6:08pm

I regularly walk on narrow country roads and contemplate why on earth theres heavy mechanical objects zooming past me at dangerous speeds.

Captain-America · 13-05-2009 6:12pm

If you drive slowly there shouldn't be a problem.

Schism · 13-05-2009 6:14pm

I've no problem with people walking the roads, it's when they walk two abreast and refuse to fall into line even if there's cars coming both ways that pisses me off.

TPD · 13-05-2009 6:15pm

People have to get places. Maybe if you slowed down and walked where you needed to go, you'd see there are more important things to get angry about than people walking.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 6:20pm

TPD wrote: »

People have to get places. Maybe if you slowed down and walked where you needed to go, you'd see there are more important things to get angry about than people walking.

I'm not talking about people getting places, I'm getting at idiots who walk in groups of two & three abreast & don't make an attempt to move in off the road.
I'm not likely to walk 5 miles to pick up something quite heavy that I can carry in a car & have the job done in less time.
If the speed limit is 80kph I usually stick to that so it's not a speed issue.

I can't understand why people put themselves in danger & then act surprised/ offended when a car happens to drives around a corner & nearly knocks them down because they are too stupid/ ignorant/ lazy to move an a few inches towards the ditch.

Hedone · 13-05-2009 6:37pm

was just out & about with my fella the other day walkin on a narrow country road, was no problem wit drivers drivin past. of course we moved in when a car passed by or when a truck or tractor was comin we stopped. same here though i could say about drivers who wont slow down when they see a person. should be easy enough.

btw wat side do the pedestrians have to walk when there is no foot path ? just wonderin

Mr. Presentable · 13-05-2009 6:38pm

You should walk on the side of oncoming traffic, i.e. the right.

stovelid · 13-05-2009 6:46pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

WBut if I have a lorry coming against me then I'm sorry Mr/ Mrs Fat arse but my car isn't magic, it can't leap frog you.

You could wait until the lorry had passed and then overtake him. And then you could stfu.

tony1kenobi · 13-05-2009 6:53pm

You have 11 and a half months of the year where you can drive through puddles and splash them...

You get 2 days of sunshine and the complaints start.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 6:55pm

stovelid wrote: »

You could wait until the lorry had passed and then overtake him. And then you could stfu.

Usually when I'm driving around a corner my psychic abilities don't seem to work which is why I can't foresee the lorry & walkers. I hate when that happens because it would make life so much easier for me :rolleyes:

Whatever about me ranting about pedestrians I thought some of the do gooders here would have at least agreed that it is dangerous for people to go out & walk on a narrow road knowing that there is a higher chance of being hit by a car due to the lack of a footpath.

So instead of pointing out something that I couldn't have done, how about you stfu

Saibh · 13-05-2009 7:00pm

All of those narrow roads are public roads which means everyone can use them - cars, lorries, walkers, dogs, cows etc.....

stovelid · 13-05-2009 7:01pm

A lot of country roads don't have footpaths. Do you expect people to confine themselves to the house because you can't drive with due care?

easyeason3 wrote: »

I hate when that happens because it would make life so much easier for me :rolleyes:

Some mental ability would be fine, no need for the psychic bit.

padi89 · 13-05-2009 7:04pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Usually when I'm driving around a corner my psychic abilities don't seem to work which is why I can't foresee the lorry & walkers. I hate when that happens because it would make life so much easier for me :rolleyes:

Do you not slow down coming to a bend, is it not common sense to slow down when you don't know what's around the corner, even cover the break?

Captain-America · 13-05-2009 7:07pm

tony1kenobi wrote: »

You have 11 and a half months of the year where you can drive through puddles and splash them...

You get 2 days of sunshine and the complaints start.

What happens the other days? The suspense is killing me.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 7:09pm

padi89 wrote: »

Do you not slow down coming to a bend, is it not common sense to slow down when you don't know what's around the corner, even cover the break?

Why would I slow down?
Usually I like to put the foot down when approaching a bend & take it as fast as I can without flipping the car :eek:

ejmaztec · 13-05-2009 7:09pm

This is a big difference between here and the UK. Over there, when you're hurtling down a country lane, 99.9% of the people step onto the verge, because they don't feel the need to die. The other 0.1% can't afford the trip to Switzerland to be put out of their misery, so they just get mutually flattened.

In Ireland, there's some kind of death-wish going on, or people thinking that they're indestructible. They just stand in the middle of the road screaming at you and waving their arms.

"Bring it on you f*****g c**t, run me over you bastard!":eek:

It must be something cultural.

padi89 · 13-05-2009 7:11pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Why would I slow down?
Usually I like to put the foot down when approaching a bend & take it as fast as I can without flipping the car :eek:

Shouldn't be on the road then ! NEXT

staker · 13-05-2009 7:12pm

i think high-viz's should be made law for all pedestrians not using a footpath.
most people use their cop on and wear them anyway,but as a driver i've met some really stupid people out walking wearing dark clothes at all hours

Captain-America · 13-05-2009 7:13pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Why would I slow down?
Usually I like to put the foot down when approaching a bend & take it as fast as I can without flipping the car :eek:

Sarcasm. The last refuge of someone who started a thread and was wrong.

Abi · 13-05-2009 7:15pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

What the fcuk is wrong with people walking on narrow country roads? Seriously are they looking to become roadkill?
I'm delighted for them that they are out getting excercise, fresh air etc but would it not make more sense to walk around a gaa pitch or even on a road that has a footpath?
It wouldn't even be so bad if they stepped up onto the grassy bit of the ditch in an effort to get out of the way. But if I have a lorry coming against me then I'm sorry Mr/ Mrs Fat arse but my car isn't magic, it can't leap frog you.
Yet again this evening I very nearly cleaned one of them off.

Can you honestly say, hand on heart- that you were driving at the correct speed for this road? If you were, it should not have been a problem.

I live in a country area, and often have to use narrow bendy roads. People that use these roads for access home are fiends for speeding here. In a hurry to get to and from work. There was one particular day I was stuck behind one of the these huge tractors, I don't have a problem with it at this point. But what happens next is a dizzy bitch of a woman in a Corolla Verso rips around the corner with two young kids in the back - and to avoid a head on, she drives up on the embankment. She managed to avoid the tractor, but almost flipped the car on top of mine. You could see she got the fright of her life. I hope she took this as a lesson, but unfortunitely too many people just dont.

People have the right to walk these roads, although I would encourage them to wear hi-vis tops, or something to help them be seen. It only takes a seconds lapse of concentration on the drivers part, before there are bodies everywhere.

GhostInTheRuins · 13-05-2009 7:18pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Whatever about me ranting about pedestrians I thought some of the do gooders here would have at least agreed that it is dangerous for people to go out & walk on a narrow road knowing that there is a higher chance of being hit by a car due to the lack of a footpath.

Again, what do you expect people to do? I have to use narrow country roads to get anywhere because I can't drive. I've got no problem stepping up onto the grass when cars come along, but I do have a problem with maniac drivers who don't give a sh*te about people who live beside 'country roads'.

Michellenman · 13-05-2009 7:21pm

It doesn't bother me really when there are people walking along the roadside because there's no paths. It can't be helped, where else are they supposed to walk?

I drive the back roads to Maynooth 5 days a week and it's shocking the amount of people who walk on the left side of the road, in black jackets, sometimes 2 abreast and if not they're alone with headphones in. I realise that when there are no paths that roads have to make do and that people should be driving slowly and safely (though not everyone does!) but it just seems to me that these walkers are asking to be mown down. Putting themselves in situations like this is ridiculous. Give yourself a chance!

Abi · 13-05-2009 7:30pm

Michellenman wrote: »

I drive the back roads to Maynooth 5 days a week and it's shocking the amount of people who walk on the left side of the road, in black jackets, sometimes 2 abreast and if not they're alone with headphones in.

I just want to pick you up on this bit. This does annoy me a bit. It makes no sense for a walker to have headphones in on a narrow bendy road. A motorist and a walker should be looking out for one another. Listening and looking on the walkers part. That way they can take the precautionary measure of standing in if needs be.

Oh.. scuse me. I've to go to the soccer forum

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 7:38pm

Abigayle wrote: »

Can you honestly say, hand on heart- that you were driving at the correct speed for this road? If you were, it should not have been a problem.

I live in a country area, and often have to use narrow bendy roads. People that use these roads for access home are fiends for speeding here. In a hurry to get to and from work. There was one particular day I was stuck behind one of the these huge tractors, I don't have a problem with it at this point. But what happens next is a dizzy bitch of a woman in a Corolla Verso rips around the corner with two young kids in the back - and to avoid a head on, she drives up on the embankment. She managed to avoid the tractor, but almost flipped the car on top of mine. You could see she got the fright of her life. I hope she took this as a lesson, but unfortunitely too many people just dont.

People have the right to walk these roads, although I would encourage them to wear hi-vis tops, or something to help them be seen. It only takes a seconds lapse of concentration on the drivers part, before there are bodies everywhere.

Yeah I can honestly say I wasn't speeding because there was a horse & rider at the far side of the road about 50 yards back so I slowed down in case the horse got spooked & bolted. I had slowed to about 20kph passing him so I would have be doing around 30kph by the time I got to the bend & had started slowing down again as it's severe enough.

I've seen drivers do crazy things on roads like the one I have mentioned. Overtaking on bends, trying to overtake tractors when there is obviously no room etc. Just shocked at the lack of common sense by some walkers & really shocked by the reaction of some of the posters. While it annoyed me this evening because I got a fright, it's also a major safety issue.
Regardless of who is right or wrong if walkers continue to act like this they will get hit by someone at some stage.

Abi · 13-05-2009 8:00pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Just shocked at the lack of common sense by some walkers & really shocked by the reaction of some of the posters. While it annoyed me this evening because I got a fright, it's also a major safety issue.

Getting a fright like that is nasty. I couldn't forget the horror on the womans face, and the kids in the car for a while.

Regardless of who is right or wrong if walkers continue to act like this they will get hit by someone at some stage.

Theres no regardless about this, I'm afraid. If both parties don't do the right thing, thats when it goes wrong.

If you know you were in the right, what I would take from what happened tonight is this; some walkers do dumb things, and you have to account for really stupid people. If a narrow road has a speed limit of 60, why not do 40 to be sure? its a limit, not a target after all. Not lecturing you, just trying to help you avoid future near-misses I suppose.

It wasn't me! · 13-05-2009 8:01pm

Came around a very tight, very blind corner recently one a one and a bit lane road, slowly enough, to find two fat old people, walking abreast, on the inside of the very blind corner. I slowed so they could get in line, and the stupid bint has the funking cheek to glare at me, for forcing her ass to get in line on a road nine feet wide! It absolutely is not always the driver's fault. Some people are just stupid.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 8:43pm

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Came around a very tight, very blind corner recently one a one and a bit lane road, slowly enough, to find two fat old people, walking abreast, on the inside of the very blind corner. I slowed so they could get in line, and the stupid bint has the funking cheek to glare at me, for forcing her ass to get in line on a road nine feet wide! It absolutely is not always the driver's fault. Some people are just stupid.

Thank you, fair play to anyone who understands what I'm saying, it's not always the drivers fault.
If I had been flaking it along the road then I wouldn't be stupid enough to post a thread on it. But I learned my lesson a few years ago about speeding that knocked that kind of carelessness out of me.

Scawgeen · 13-05-2009 8:54pm

nipplenuts wrote: »

You should walk on the side of oncoming traffic, i.e. the right.

Not a lot of people know that, judging by the number of people walking on the wrong side of the road.

Carawaystick · 13-05-2009 9:13pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Whatever about me ranting about pedestrians I thought some of the do gooders here would have at least agreed that it is dangerous for people to go out & walk on a narrow road

How many motorists have been killed or injured by pedestrians walking?
vs
how many pedestrians have been killed by motorists?

It's fairly hard to hurt someone when you're walking at ~6 kmh.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 9:40pm

Carawaystick wrote: »

How many motorists have been killed or injured by pedestrians walking?
vs
how many pedestrians have been killed by motorists?

It's fairly hard to hurt someone when you're walking at ~6 kmh.

I'll disagree with you there. I don't have figures or stories but I have no doubt a motorist has been killed as a result of swerving to avoid a pedestrian.
Also my issue isn't with pedestrians. It's where they walk. I don't believe someone should walk along a narrow road to get fit, fair enough if they have to do it to get from A to B but they should be responsible when doing so.
As previous posters pointed out some of them walk wearing earphones so they possibly have no way of hearing an approaching car/ lorry/ tractor properly.
I have witnessed people walking with buggies along these roads ffs! Fair enough they have a right to do it but why would you knowing there is a much higher chance of getting mown down?
And why would you push a child along with you?
Why would you walk two & three abreast & make no attempt to move in when a car comes along?
I take it handy when I drive but some people don't & that's where the danger is.
I don't own the road but neither do pedestrians.

Sierra Oscar · 13-05-2009 9:56pm

I walk on country roads quite often, and of course I will step up onto the verge whenever a car comes.

Whenever I am driving it never really bothers me either.

Blush_01 · 13-05-2009 10:04pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

If the speed limit is 80kph I usually stick to that so it's not a speed issue.

And that, my friend, is a large part of your problem. I'm glad you got a fright. You read the road you're on and let that dictate the speed you drive at, as long as you don't exceed the maximum legal limit for that section of the road. If you're driving at 80km/h on a narrow country road where you have poor visibility, then you are at fault for not taking due care, even if you've just overtaken a pony, an elephant and a hippo out for an evening consititutional. Part of the road I live off has a number of bends and isn't very wide, so I drive along that section in a low gear, at a low speed, in order to ensure I can stop in an emergency. I was under the impression that was common sense.

If I'm walking and you're driving, and if you're coming against me at 80km/h, and something is coming in the opposite direction at 80km/h, then I may have nowhere to go. The green area you speak of could just be overgrowth covering a dyke, which I know because I live on that road, but you don't and you assume I'm ok falling 6ft into a hole filled with vermin and nettles. How good of you. As far as I'm concerned, even when I'm wearing headphones I control the volume so I am aware of my surroundings, so one of you had better have enough control of your car to stop in time to not kill me, because you're driving what can potentially be a lethal weapon. If you're not going to be responsible for the car you drive and your actions in it, hand your license and keys over to someone who knows what to do with them.

Blame the lack of a footpath if you like, but don't you think adding a footpath to the majority of those narrow roads would reduce the width of them even further? Not alone that, if we can't afford to get the road surfaces repaired, who's going to pay for a rural footpath? Not everyone lives near a GAA field or an area with a footpath. My nearest footpath is in a housing estate over a mile from where I live. Unless I teleport there, how do you suggest I get as far as that footpath to go for a walk, if I don't have a car?

staker · 13-05-2009 10:09pm

Blush_01 wrote: »

And that, my friend, is a large part of your problem.

And that,my friend, is a large part of your problem.

Firetrap · 13-05-2009 10:15pm

One thing I learned when I started driving was how vulnerable pedestrians are. I still remember almost hitting a neighbour of mine at night who was walking on the side of the road wearing dark clothes and nary a reflective item in sight. I only saw him at the last moment and he was lucky I wasn't speeding. A few months later he wasn't so lucky - someone hit him and that was the end of that.

My house is on a road that people use for a nice country walk. It's a loop - you can leave my local town, walk up our road and come back into town by a different road. All within an hour or so. It's an awful pity the council don't put in decent paths. It's great to see people going for walks. Not so great to see gobshytes in their white 01 puntos trying to convince everyone they're in a McLaren F1 going round Silverstone :mad:

Blush_01 · 13-05-2009 10:16pm

staker wrote: »

And that,my friend, is a large part of your problem.

Wow, I see what you did there. Impressive!

I've been walking on rural roads for the best part of 20 years, and have had a number of run-ins with drivers doing excessive speed or just simply not paying attention to the road they're driving on. I take care when walking and stay as close as is safe to the shoulder. A car is not an automatic entitlement to priority on the road. I'm not saying that every pedestrian is a saint, or that all drivers are inattentive speed-freaks, but from my experience, I know where the ratio lies, and it's not in favour of drivers.

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 10:25pm

Blush_01 wrote: »

And that, my friend, is a large part of your problem. I'm glad you got a fright. You read the road you're on and let that dictate the speed you drive at, as long as you don't exceed the maximum legal limit for that section of the road. If you're driving at 80km/h on a narrow country road where you have poor visibility, then you are at fault for not taking due care, even if you've just overtaken a pony, an elephant and a hippo out for an evening consititutional. Part of the road I live off has a number of bends and isn't very wide, so I drive along that section in a low gear, at a low speed, in order to ensure I can stop in an emergency. I was under the impression that was common sense.

If I'm walking and you're driving, and if you're coming against me at 80km/h, and something is coming in the opposite direction at 80km/h, then I may have nowhere to go. The green area you speak of could just be overgrowth covering a dyke, which I know because I live on that road, but you don't and you assume I'm ok falling 6ft into a hole filled with vermin and nettles. How good of you. As far as I'm concerned, even when I'm wearing headphones I control the volume so I am aware of my surroundings, so one of you had better have enough control of your car to stop in time to not kill me, because you're driving what can potentially be a lethal weapon. If you're not going to be responsible for the car you drive and your actions in it, hand your license and keys over to someone who knows what to do with them.

Blame the lack of a footpath if you like, but don't you think adding a footpath to the majority of those narrow roads would reduce the width of them even further? Not alone that, if we can't afford to get the road surfaces repaired, who's going to pay for a rural footpath? Not everyone lives near a GAA field or an area with a footpath. My nearest footpath is in a housing estate over a mile from where I live. Unless I teleport there, how do you suggest I get as far as that footpath to go for a walk, if I don't have a car?

Perhaps you might be better off reading the previous posts before passing comments. The legal speed limit for the road in question is 80kph, I was doing much less as you would be aware of had you bothered to read previous posts.
Also if you had read the previous posts then you would be aware that I have no problem with people using the road to get from A to B once they act responsibly i.e: move closer to the ditch when a vehicle drives along, if not for their own safety then out of common courtesy.
I don't recall mentioning anything about constructing footpaths or resurfacing roads so if that is an issue for you then by all means start your own thread.
But don't act like a sanctimonious ***** because I have raised a valid point on road safety.

staker · 13-05-2009 10:27pm

@Blush 01 It's a very condescending start to your reply, not impressive.

I drive a good bit and take due care on these country roads.I've seen youngsters running after balls,dogs chasing wheels, tractors pulling out with front loaders on.Speed is the enemy on these types of roads.

Best of luck on that headphone scenario, hope you'll always get the volume /timing right. I think you're asking for trouble,but you may not see it that way.

Triangle · 13-05-2009 10:36pm

easyeason3 wrote: »

Perhaps you might be better off reading the previous posts before passing comments. The legal speed limit for the road in question is 80kph, I was doing much less as you would be aware of had you bothered to read previous posts.
Also if you had read the previous posts then you would be aware that I have no problem with people using the road to get from A to B once they act responsibly i.e: move closer to the ditch when a vehicle drives along, if not for their own safety then out of common courtesy.
I don't recall mentioning anything about constructing footpaths or resurfacing roads so if that is an issue for you then by all means start your own thread.
But don't act like a sanctimonious ***** because I have raised a valid point on road safety.

The limit is the TOP speed, But a driver is required to ALWAYS be able to stop in case of unforseen circumstances. I.e. a mad arsed person strolling in the middle of the road.

If you hit an idiot then it's your fault not theirs...........

Trig.

robinph · 13-05-2009 11:29pm

They are speed limits, not targets, and the pedestrian always has right of way over every other road user, except on motorways.

rossie1977 · 13-05-2009 11:41pm

80kph speed limits on a narrow country road is insane and i have seen many a tiny road marked like this

Abi · 14-05-2009 12:36am

What can I say. Im a kind, thoughtful lady. For you OP

xoxoxo

easyeason3 · 14-05-2009 12:43am

Abigayle wrote: »

What can I say. Im a kind, thoughtful lady. For you OP

xoxoxo

Ah your making me blush now

Fluffybums · 14-05-2009 1:01am

Shame there are no footpaths as you find in the UK (well England at least). By closing off the land if a person fancies a walk and they live in a village they have to use the road. Walking is a cheap and healthy exercise which should be encouraged in light of the populations bulging waistlines. As little has been spent on addressing the appalling condition of rural roads and pavements (where did all that money go?), it is up to both the driver and pedestrian to ensure each others safety.
I used to like taking myself off for a walk on a Sunday afternoon along the many footpaths around the village in which I was living in England (spitting distance from Stansted Airport and M11). Still can't get over the fact that a footpath here is a pavement:eek: or a road in the absence of a pavement.

walshb · 14-05-2009 6:22am

Simple: Roads and narrow country roads are for cars and motorcycles and other
motorised vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians, so go freaking use them
and at least give yourself a little more chance to survive when out walking!

If there are no paths, don't walk!

Saibh · 14-05-2009 6:38am

walshb wrote: »

Simple: Roads and narrow country roads are for cars and motorcycles and other
motorised vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians, so go freaking use them
and at least give yourself a little more chance to survive when out walking!

If there are no paths, don't walk!

Great words of wisdom to see at this hour of the morning :rolleyes:

Gummy Panda · 14-05-2009 6:48am

OP if god didn't want them to die, he wouldn't have put them infront of your car

hairymick · 14-05-2009 9:14am

easyeason3 wrote: »

What the fcuk is wrong with people walking on narrow country roads? Seriously are they looking to become roadkill?
I'm delighted for them that they are out getting excercise, fresh air etc but would it not make more sense to walk around a gaa pitch or even on a road that has a footpath?
It wouldn't even be so bad if they stepped up onto the grassy bit of the ditch in an effort to get out of the way. But if I have a lorry coming against me then I'm sorry Mr/ Mrs Fat arse but my car isn't magic, it can't leap frog you.
Yet again this evening I very nearly cleaned one of them off.

How about slowing down?Country roads arent just for boy racers.

easyeason3 · 14-05-2009 11:13am

hairymick wrote: »

How about slowing down?Country roads arent just for boy racers.

No they are not, but I would presume a woman who doesn't speed is still allowed on the roads or is that just silly thinking on my part? :rolleyes:

My name is URL · 14-05-2009 11:24am

walshb wrote: »

Simple: Roads and narrow country roads are for cars and motorcycles and other
motorised vehicles. Footpaths are for pedestrians, so go freaking use them
and at least give yourself a little more chance to survive when out walking!

If there are no paths, don't walk!

wtf dude!

Most narrow country roads haven't been upgraded to accommodate for heavy traffic.

If anything it's cars that shouldn't be on them, not pedestrians =p

People walking on narrow country roads

Comments