People walking on narrow country roads

easyeason3 · 13-05-2009 10:40PM

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 10:56PM

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 11:04PM

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 11:09PM

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 11:15PM

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 11:16PM

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 11:25PM

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 11:27PM

@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 11:36PM

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 · 14-05-2009 12:29AM

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

rossie1977 · 14-05-2009 12:41AM

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 01:36AM

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

xoxoxo

easyeason3 · 14-05-2009 01:43AM

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 02:01AM

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 07:22AM

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 07:38AM

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 07:48AM

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

hairymick · 14-05-2009 10:14AM

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 12:13PM

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 12:24PM

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

TheIronyMaiden · 14-05-2009 12:35PM

Sounds to me like you can't handle driving on country roads OP. Surely at this stage, encountering a walker or some sort of pedestrian would be a given? It's common sense to have your wits about you and drive carefully. Country roads aren't for cruising along at 80km an hour for.

Does no one do that thing anymore where you beep before you turn a corner? :P

syklops · 14-05-2009 12:44PM

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:

Then your an idiot, and your a danger to yourself and other people.

Cop on for fcuks sake.

It BeeMee · 14-05-2009 02:59PM

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.

Mine don't work either. Although I do find that taking the attitude of "I don't know what's around this corner" helps me.

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.

It's not the lack of footpath that makes it dangerous, it's the drivers who can't/won't drive to the conditions.

Also, please define "narrow" road?

javaboy · 14-05-2009 03:13PM

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:

Stop trolling.

syklops wrote: »

Then your an idiot, and your a danger to yourself and other people.

Cop on for fcuks sake.

Banned.

easyeason3 · 14-05-2009 04:10PM

javaboy wrote: »

Stop trolling.

I wasn't trying to be smart but I couldn't help it.

Banned.

Is that not a bit harsh? He obviously didn't read the previous posts, & while that annoys me, he probably just saw the comment & flipped.
Can he come back?

Tchaikovsky · 14-05-2009 05:20PM

Isn't all of this in the Rules of the Road that you are supposed to have read and passed an exam on? Vigilance with regard to other road-users and pedestrians, etcetera?

Perhaps don't be so arrogant and consider the fact that the sun doesn;t shine out of your arse.

stovelid · 14-05-2009 06:33PM

If you take the speed limits on some minor Irish roads s your guide, you're insane. The immediate road ahead should always dictate your speed.

Blush_01 · 14-05-2009 11:40PM

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.

I did read your posts and my comments on road surface are perfectly logical if you're driving on Irish roads, as they're a valid concern, particularly since the virtual ban on road maintenance as a result of the recession. If you don't know what's around the bend (including a pothole) that can compromise your ability to stop a lot more than my one-in-one-out earphone policy. You repeatedly mentioned footpaths, so it was also logical to mention their absence on the majority of narrow country roads might be a contributory factor in people not using them - not everyone has the luxury of having that facility. You might assume someone can move further in on the road, but you might be ignorant of the road conditions they're dealing with, as I also mentioned. The rules of the road state that you must walk as close to the right-hand side of the road as is safe, not as is convenient to the person who considers you an inconvenience to their motoring.

And AFAIK, being a "sanctimonious bitch" is my prerogative, particularly if the points I make are also valid.

Blush_01 · 15-05-2009 12:21AM

staker wrote: »

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

I'm glad I post here to impress you so. (Are we on Twitter now?)

Overheal · 15-05-2009 01:19AM

You'd have to be pretty daft to nearly run over a pedestrian while you were speeding down a country road, had no time to slow down, and then complain about it on the internet like it was their fault.

You'd still be daft to nearly run over a pedestrian while you were driving down a country road at a reasonable speed. Because you didn't have the patience to wait for the truck to pass?

Either way, you would have to be very daft if you come to the internet to place blame on a pedestrian walking down a country road, that you nearly ran over. It would be treated no differently than if you had crashed/rear-ended into a parked car. Except that obviously someone would be dead. Sadly, not the driver in question.

People walking on narrow country roads

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