Car verses Pedestrian…who should yield?
I just don’t understand when pedestrians (or perhaps certain societies) decided that they have the right-of-way over a 2-ton vehicle? Even if you’re in a crosswalk, a pedestrian need be aware of their surroundings…to assume that you are somehow immune because you’re in a crosswalk or because you refuse to make eye contact with the driver…is idiotic.
Why am I on this soapbox? Because the other day I was driving slowly through a National Park parking lot when this lady decided that she should be able to walk in front of my truck rather than behind it…the problem for her is that I wasn’t going to yield to someone who felt this level of entitlement, therefore I kept my 5mph pace and forced her to stop in her tracks. As I drove by she said “I guess I must have my invisible shield on!” I said back to her “in what guidebook did you read that it was okay to walk in front of a 2-ton vehicle?”
For the record, I have no problem stopping for curious pedestrians…just not brazen/entitled ones. What is your take?
Mike Shubic
2 Comments
Here in Brazil the cars definitely have the right of way. As a pedestrian you’d better watch out. NO one in a car, motorcycle, truck gives way to a pedestrian, no matter how old or feeble he or she may seem! Took us some getting used to. Being polite and offering to stop for someone just seems to get everyone all confused and discombobulated! An amazing cultural difference in my view.
Personally, I like stopping for pedestrians, unless they are ASU students. They act like they OWN the road!
Hey Cindy, thanks so much for your observations and take on the subject. I have noticed the same in many European countries as well as Asia.