Pedestrian crossings???

DriversEd

Hi,

just want to get the experienced drivers and instructors on here to have a little conversation on the selection of 'pedestrian crossings' we have around the country thansk to our council engineers.
i suppose the main question is, what is the defining characteristic of a true pedestrian crossing, pelican, toucan, zebra etc.
and what do you guys and gals think of these pedestrian crossing 'areas' that are found at roundabouts etc?

just like to know what everyone thinks on this issue

regards,

ed

Motor-Ed

DriversEd wrote: »

Hi,

just want to get the experienced drivers and instructors on here to have a little conversation on the selection of 'pedestrian crossings' we have around the country thansk to our council engineers.
i suppose the main question is, what is the defining characteristic of a true pedestrian crossing, pelican, toucan, zebra etc.
and what do you guys and gals think of these pedestrian crossing 'areas' that are found at roundabouts etc?

just like to know what everyone thinks on this issue

regards,

ed

The main thing about these "crossing area" is at least when used you can have your student more prepared for pedestrians. But I guess you mean what force they have legally. Well as you no doubt are aware, the pedestrian has right of way once they take to the road. Otherwise I go with the courtesy angle, if the pedestrian is standing off it in safety then it's a driver choice decision.
That's the short version of it

DriversEd

thats the pedestrian crossing areas, mainly on the exit of roundabouts. and essentially, i agree with all you've said.
but, have you not seen the danger in their placement, and lack of clarity with the pedestrian public, as most don't even pause and most drivers are not sure what to do. it stheir use and abuse in the real world i speak of, not the theory of their creation!
and have you seen some of the aborations of so called real pedestrian crossings around about? i've seen red and white, with no lights at all, (surely not safe at night!), and as for some of the road markings like cycle lanes etc, its getting a bit ridiculous no?
and as i found out recently, surprisingly, the rsa have no control over this area, its the sole responsibility of council engineers!!
as i was told of by one rsa representative, a place in an area in wexford, on a test route, has both a stop and yield sign on one junction???!! and when tasked on it, by the rsa person, they politely said, mind your own, and it still stands! they had the change the test route!!

this sounds nuts to me, and you??

Motor-Ed

DriversEd wrote: »

thats the pedestrian crossing areas, mainly on the exit of roundabouts. and essentially, i agree with all you've said.
but, have you not seen the danger in their placement, and lack of clarity with the pedestrian public, as most don't even pause and most drivers are not sure what to do. it stheir use and abuse in the real world i speak of, not the theory of their creation!
and have you seen some of the aborations of so called real pedestrian crossings around about? i've seen red and white, with no lights at all, (surely not safe at night!), and as for some of the road markings like cycle lanes etc, its getting a bit ridiculous no?
and as i found out recently, surprisingly, the rsa have no control over this area, its the sole responsibility of council engineers!!
as i was told of by one rsa representative, a place in an area in wexford, on a test route, has both a stop and yield sign on one junction???!! and when tasked on it, by the rsa person, they politely said, mind your own, and it still stands! they had the change the test route!!

this sounds nuts to me, and you??

I guess the main issue I have with pedestrian crossings is their use.i,m well aware of the priority issue but just can,t understand sometimes why some pedestrians now think it makes them indestructible and march out whether the oncoming vehicle is reacting to their presence. It can occur that due to angles a pedestrian can be hidden by the pillar of the vehicle or some other blind spot. As for the cyclists who "bomb" across the pedestrian crossings, don't get me started.