This Actually Happened!!

[Linette]

I was sitting at a bus stop waiting for my bus when I heard the sirens going off from a fire truck.

I looked up in the direction it was coming from and the light was red for a pedestrian signal was going off and there's a lady walking by with earbuds in her ears.

Ok, she obviously didn't hear the sirens and the horn going off to other drivers but when she got up to where the firetruck was sitting there waiting for her to casually walk past in the lane going in the opposite direction he laid on the horn, that clearly woke her up.

She clearly was not deaf so it made me question on how loud was her music or how deaf was she that she couldn't hear the ruckus coming from a firetruck. She could have gottin herself killed if the firetruck didn't see her or any moving vehicle for that matter. 🤦‍♀️

[bigballofyarn]

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even staring at their phones.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Sept 19, 2022 4:34:52 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even starting at their phones.

They think that (and it's mostly true) that is is the drivers responsiblilty to read their minds and stop for them. I feel bad for anyone walking in my blind spot, behind me, or in the middle of the road-I'm driving a one ton vehicle, it's difficult to stop a one ton vehicle, and what do you think said vehicle will do to you should you think you are entitled to not watch where you're walking?

I'm old-ish; if I have to go to jail for hitting you the idea doesn't bother me. It will save me from the hassles of Social Security and Medicare!

[bigballofyarn]

I'm old-ish too, but I don't know how to drive. However, I observe a lot of weird things as a passenger. In my area, a pedestrian can technically receive a ticket for an illegal crossing. I know this is going to sound horrible and morbid, but maybe something more needs to happen in order for everyone else to become more cautious.

[Angela]

Yes, pedestrians do have an attitude of entitlement and dont realize that both they and the driver's need to look out for each other. It's a two way street. No pun intended.

Before my dad died, he and I were waiting in line at the drive thru at McDonald's. Next to the drive thru is the parking lot. As we were advancing forward, a woman with her nose in her phone walks out in front of us. We came very close to hitting her. I honked the horn and she didn't bother to look up from her phone!

People are so self absorbed, I guess😏

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Sept 19, 2022 4:53:43 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

I'm old-ish too, but I don't know how to drive. However, I observe a lot of weird things as a passenger. In my area, a pedestrian can technically receive a ticket for an illegal crossing. I know this is going to sound horrible and morbid, but maybe something more needs to happen in order for everyone else to become more cautious.

Wow! Not around here where I live; the walker/jogger/bicyclist has the right of way, and cars MUST stay three feet away from them. I live in a town that has country lanes. A semi-truck and a car wouldn't fit on them simultaneously, let alone two cars where one needs to be three feet out of their lane. And guess who gets a ticket and is arrested for being in the oncoming lane?

And yes, while it sounds a tad morbid, I think you're correct. Something needs to happen, and the auto driver needs to be loud about it.

[bigballofyarn]

We have laws in favor of the pedestrian too. Cars are supposed to stop at all crosswalks. However, this is just at crosswalks. Cars don't have to stop if a person is crossing at a random place. The other day, a person was trying to cross a 6-laned highway. I didn't even know why they were walking there in the first place.

[Former Member]

Sept 19, 2022 4:34:52 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even staring at their phones.

Even animals know to look both ways I’ve seen a fox do it!

[bigballofyarn]

Sept 20, 2022 6:22:52 GMT -8 lucylacemaker said:

Sept 19, 2022 4:34:52 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even staring at their phones.

Even animals know to look both ways I’ve seen a fox do it!

The last few times I was in New York State, I saw geese and pigeons using the crosswalk. Maybe it was a funny coincidence, or maybe they're really smart.

[Former Member]

Sept 20, 2022 10:08:55 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

Sept 20, 2022 6:22:52 GMT -8 lucylacemaker said:

Even animals know to look both ways I’ve seen a fox do it!

The last few times I was in New York State, I saw geese and pigeons using the crosswalk. Maybe it was a funny coincidence, or maybe they're really smart.

That sounds adorable 😁

[Derek‽]

Sept 20, 2022 10:08:55 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

The last few times I was in New York State, I saw geese and pigeons using the crosswalk. Maybe it was a funny coincidence, or maybe they're really smart.

It's actually fairly common behavior in urban areas. Other animals, such as dogs and cats that roam the streets, will do it too. They're observing our movement patterns and figuring out which pathways are safe in an erratic environment. Some wait for humans to start crossing, using us as escorts, more or less.

Of course, crosswalks are often where the curb is lowest and where the visibility around parked cars tends to be best, so not all animals are as wise or cunning as they might seem. Sometimes it just might be the most opportune spot they can find.

[bigballofyarn]

Sept 20, 2022 19:06:24 GMT -8 Derek‽ said:

Sept 20, 2022 10:08:55 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

The last few times I was in New York State, I saw geese and pigeons using the crosswalk. Maybe it was a funny coincidence, or maybe they're really smart.

It's actually fairly common behavior in urban areas. Other animals, such as dogs and cats that roam the streets, will do it too. They're observing our movement patterns and figuring out which pathways are safe in an erratic environment. Some wait for humans to start crossing, using us as escorts, more or less.

Of course, crosswalks are often where the curb is lowest and where the visibility around parked cars tends to be best, so not all animals are as wise or cunning as they might seem. Sometimes it just might be the most opportune spot they can find.

Clearly they learn from other animals. Humans aren't using the crosswalk.

[Linette]

Sept 19, 2022 4:34:52 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even staring at their phones.

bigballofyarn, it is concerning, really. It has been for years but has gotten worse over the years. Even seniors are doing it with their walkers and wheelchairs.
I always use the crosswalk regardless because I'm not lazy, that extra mile of walking will do me a world of good, I don't want to die or be a cripple over something I know I could have prevented, and I don't believe it's right for the driver to live with that on their conscious over my own laziness and stupidity.

Sept 19, 2022 4:45:23 GMT -8 📚 Dianne 📚 said:

Sept 19, 2022 4:34:52 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

That's concerning. On a similar note, I keep noticing people jumping out in front of cars and not even using the crosswalk. Are people no longer taught to look both ways before crossing? Is this not common sense either? Some of these people aren't even starting at their phones.

They think that (and it's mostly true) that is is the drivers responsiblilty to read their minds and stop for them. I feel bad for anyone walking in my blind spot, behind me, or in the middle of the road-I'm driving a one ton vehicle, it's difficult to stop a one ton vehicle, and what do you think said vehicle will do to you should you think you are entitled to not watch where you're walking?

I'm old-ish; if I have to go to jail for hitting you the idea doesn't bother me. It will save me from the hassles of Social Security and Medicare!

bigballofyarn and 📚 Dianne 📚, it's so ignorant when people feel they're entitled or even just don't care, there are drivers that are the same way as well, two wrongs don't make a right, period. In this case it's just mind-blowing carelessness.

Sept 19, 2022 4:53:43 GMT -8 bigballofyarn said:

I'm old-ish too, but I don't know how to drive. However, I observe a lot of weird things as a passenger. In my area, a pedestrian can technically receive a ticket for an illegal crossing. I know this is going to sound horrible and morbid, but maybe something more needs to happen in order for everyone else to become more cautious.

bigballofyarn, I don't drive either and still know most the do's and don'ts, the rights and wrongs and it the cost of fuel I will never get my license now. I'm 50, what would be the point. There are too many crazy drivers out there anyways.

It's illegal to jay walk here as well and cops are supposed to be handing out tickets and don't, I witnessed a homeless person jay walking in front of a cop as well as a senior. It's just pointless and pure ignorance. All I do is shake my head.

Sept 19, 2022 12:05:42 GMT -8 Angela said:

Yes, pedestrians do have an attitude of entitlement and dont realize that both they and the driver's need to look out for each other. It's a two way street. No pun intended.

Before my dad died, he and I were waiting in line at the drive thru at McDonald's. Next to the drive thru is the parking lot. As we were advancing forward, a woman with her nose in her phone walks out in front of us. We came very close to hitting her. I honked the horn and she didn't bother to look up from her phone!

People are so self absorbed, I guess😏

@angela47, you nailed it!! 👌
Yes, happens here as well, and when you try to warn them before crossing, they look up then me, completely confused then back to their phone walking aimlessly. Unappreciative people no thank you no nothing, that was the last night I helped them, now I let the driver scream and cuss at them, even then they just continue on without a care in the world.

Self-absorbed and ignorant is right!! 👌

[cheddarmouse]

As someone who does not drive and therefore walks/buses as a means of self-sufficient travel, I have walked with earbuds quite often and can always still hear my surroundings. I don't understand how earbuds, even at max volume, can drown out a siren. This person must have been hard of hearing.