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It's one thing to be right. Quite another to be dead right.
posted by
Pat_B
on October 29, 2012 at 12:42 PM
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Re:
Absolutely, mariss. As I wrote, perhaps a little common sense may have avoided this tragedy. It's still got to be tough on the family though. 
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 9:47 AM
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It would be a good idea to educate the public on this issue. It would be easy to step onto one when distracted and tragedy hits. I agree it was not the driver's fault, but tragic anyway.
posted by
mariss9
on October 29, 2012 at 8:25 AM
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I'm sure it was very upsetting to the driver, TAPS, especially since he had no control over the situation. I don't think I would give up driving myself, but I'm sure it would have upset me for a long, long time! No matter what, I'm certain that no one would ever want to be in that situation, especially one that was avoidable!
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 8:25 AM
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That's true, luster. I suppose there might be certain circumstances missing from this story, but from what I heard, it appeared as though this woman was somewhat lackadaisical in paying attention to where she was, and what she was doing. In your and your daughter's case, you would think that people would be a little more considerate to pedestrians crossing the street, and stop for ten seconds during their busy day to let someone cross, especially with dogs! Glad you came through it unscathed! 
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 8:21 AM
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Unfortunately, FSI, that doesn't surprise me. Sometimes it doesn't matter what the laws are, or how the crosswalks are set up. A little common sense is all that's needed! Either those people are daredevils, or idiots!
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 8:11 AM
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That's always the better option, C C T. That's why I wrote never assume anything. When I'm driving, my "radar sense" is always on full alert, and I am constantly doing a 360 degree sweep of my surroundings. I never assume that others are either paying attention, or at least following the general rules of the road. And that includes pedestrians! 
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 8:06 AM
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Re: I think a lot of laws fall into this category.
That's very true, Ciel. Many drivers think they know and understand certain laws and rules of the road, but either do their best to circumvent them, or simply choose to ignore them. And what ticks me off the most is that, when they do choose to ignore them, it's usually an "innocent" who ultimately pays the price! As they say, common sense isn't very common!
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 7:54 AM
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I think so too, Utah, especially given the circumstances, the eye-witness accounts, and what the law actually implies. Like I wrote, it was indeed a terrible tragedy, but one that could have been avoided!
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 7:50 AM
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Re: Jimmy
That, Naut, I can understand! I imagine it would be hard to live in a "reversed" society. I always wondered how I would do driving a car in England, sitting on the right side of the car. The fun would be when it came time to navigate an intersection, and try to make either a right turn or a left turn. I hate to say it, but I think I might have plowed into a few pedestrians myself!
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 7:49 AM
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Not that I'm aware of, Annicita. But like I said, other people besides the driver indicated that she simply stepped off the sidewalk into the street . . . and kept walking! I would think that if she had looked, she would've had to have seen that one car coming, and would have ( or should have ) stopped. I guess we'll never know for sure. Still a terrible ( and avoidable ) tragedy.
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 7:45 AM
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Re: That is very sad and puzzling..
It is sad and puzzling, Katray. The laws are in place for a reason, but like I wrote, sometimes a little common sense is all that is needed. Jaywalking is actually a problem around here too! Many others have been hit by cars because they didn't use the crosswalks at the intersections. Hard to understand sometimes. 
posted by
JimmyA
on October 29, 2012 at 7:41 AM
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How horrible it would be to be the driver who hits a pedestrian.
I think I would give up driving forever.
posted by
TAPS.
on October 27, 2012 at 10:46 PM
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its funny you are talking about this, since my daughter and I just came from a walk and had a terrible time to cross the street and we had the two dogs with us, finally a man stopped for us and we rushed across the street. As far as the little old lady when they have alzheimers or dementia they some how sneak out on their own and have no idea where they are, they need to be watched all the time.
posted by
Lanetay
on October 27, 2012 at 5:55 PM
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Our state laws in Maryland are similiar. I'm inclined to say exacty the same, but there could be some difference that I am not aware of somewhere...I've seen a lot of pedestrians just walk on out there in the crosswalk even when there were cars coming.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on October 27, 2012 at 9:53 AM
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Sadly Jimmy one has to drive these days as if every one is an idiot we have a few of these so called pelican crossing and I wonder more accidents do not happen. After such a sad incident I would suggest if anyone was near the damn thing to give way lest the pedestrian tries to cross. The best way is to wave them across and receive a thank you wave, or a two finger salute. 
posted by
C_C_T
on October 27, 2012 at 8:12 AM
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I think a lot of laws fall into this category.
My daughter thought that it is illegal to drive under the posted limit. The law I've seen is that it's illegal to drive under 40mph on a freeway. She just was ticked off by people driving slower than the limit on 2-lane back roads when she was behind them.
Many people don't know the laws about using their brights at night, though only once have I seen anyone stopped for it: a guy who drove within the 1-mile limit, coming up behind a cop-car.
And then there are the tail-gaters, who can't seem to count 2-3 seconds, and keep anything near that space between themselves and the vehicle ahead.
These people don't understand laws of physics, either.
posted by
Ciel
on October 27, 2012 at 8:00 AM
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The police did the right thing by not pressing charges.
posted by
UtahJay
on October 26, 2012 at 11:01 PM
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Jimmy
I fully agree with you! And it reminds me that I almost got killed in London once, where I stepped off the curb after looking left first, as I am used to - the bus came to a stop within inches...
posted by
Nautikos
on October 26, 2012 at 4:11 PM
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how do we know that she didnt look....is there film?
posted by
Annicita
on October 26, 2012 at 1:11 PM
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That is very sad and puzzling..
Does sound like the family is trying to shift their guilt. In this small town, pedestrians have the right of way when the walk sign is green; folks have been cited for trying to cross on red and for jaywalking.
posted by
Katray2
on October 26, 2012 at 11:44 AM
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