Deal kid hit by car yesterday on way to school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just to get this conversation back on track, the girl referenced in the original post was in a crosswalk. I don't want there to be confusion or any unintentional victim blaming.

Do you know if she’s ok?

I live in the neighborhood and walk around a lot. Drivers on Georgia and 16th absolutely do not give a fig about pedestrians. Even in the more residential streets, they’re cutting through and driving fast. I’ve had a few near misses, been screamed at, and the most bizarre are the people who actually speed up when they see me in a crosswalk. I know “not all cars,” but it’s wild to me to jump to blaming the middle school pedestrian.

[Anonymous]

Parents need to remind their kids that they should not wear headphones while walking. It's a huge safety hazard. They also shouldn't walk while looking down at their phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to remind their kids that they should not wear headphones while walking. It's a huge safety hazard. They also shouldn't walk while looking down at their phones.

This was a kid walking in a crosswalk. The car closest to the curb stopped to let her pass, and the car in the left lane did not slow down to see if anyone was coming and hit a kid.

It's not the kid's fault for jumping into traffic. It's not the kid's fault for wearing headphones. It's not parents' faults for not training their kids.

THIS WAS A TERRIBLE DRIVER DRIVING TERRIBLY AND HITTING A CHILD WHO HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. Stop trying to make it anything else. You people are deeply disgusting.

[Anonymous]

Can someone share where this incident occurred? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to remind their kids that they should not wear headphones while walking. It's a huge safety hazard. They also shouldn't walk while looking down at their phones.

This was a kid walking in a crosswalk. The car closest to the curb stopped to let her pass, and the car in the left lane did not slow down to see if anyone was coming and hit a kid.

It's not the kid's fault for jumping into traffic. It's not the kid's fault for wearing headphones. It's not parents' faults for not training their kids.

THIS WAS A TERRIBLE DRIVER DRIVING TERRIBLY AND HITTING A CHILD WHO HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. Stop trying to make it anything else. You people are deeply disgusting.

Yup, people really are brainwashed on this topic. I have a family member who was hit by a car while in a crosswalk recently—a crosswalk where multiple others walkers/cyclists have been hit and seriously injured (not in DC)—and even they were making excuses for the driver and why it’s just really hard for drivers to drive more slowly/carefully on this busy road.

[Anonymous]

The people making this about all of the things kids need to do to not get hit by cars really are telling on themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good reminder for parents to talk to their kids about crossing streets!

I almost ran into a little (6th grade?) Deal kid in Tenleytown yesterday. He crossed without breaking stride or looking left or right.

Thankfully i was driving about 2 miles per hour but I was startled.

According to some posters on this site, he absolutely should be able to do that (not look at all) without fear of being hit.

This is what some parents are teaching their kids! It’s incredible to me. I live in CCDC and the number of kids I see crossing the street without even stopping is insane and recipe for disaster. I’d rather my kid be alive than be “right”.

[Anonymous]

There are drivers who make mistakes and student walkers that make mistakes.

I have no idea what happened in this case (as I was not there) but what is the post of posting about it if not to remind us all to be more vigilant?
I'm using it as a cautionary tale to slow down when I'm driving, especially around DC schools and will remind my kids to always be super vigilant when walking as they can never control who is driving and how.

Why does everything on DCUM have to become so hostile?
I guarantee all of us have made mistakes when driving and all of our kids have made mistakes when walking.
Some posters just need to settle down and chill the f^*K out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to remind their kids that they should not wear headphones while walking. It's a huge safety hazard. They also shouldn't walk while looking down at their phones.

This was a kid walking in a crosswalk. The car closest to the curb stopped to let her pass, and the car in the left lane did not slow down to see if anyone was coming and hit a kid.

It's not the kid's fault for jumping into traffic. It's not the kid's fault for wearing headphones. It's not parents' faults for not training their kids.

THIS WAS A TERRIBLE DRIVER DRIVING TERRIBLY AND HITTING A CHILD WHO HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. Stop trying to make it anything else. You people are deeply disgusting.

Yup, people really are brainwashed on this topic. I have a family member who was hit by a car while in a crosswalk recently—a crosswalk where multiple others walkers/cyclists have been hit and seriously injured (not in DC)—and even they were making excuses for the driver and why it’s just really hard for drivers to drive more slowly/carefully on this busy road.

Because obviously it is hard or so many people wouldn’t have been hit! I don’t understand why it is so important for people to not take 15 seconds and see if a car is coming before crossing the street even if it is your right. It is your right to walk through a dangerous neighborhood at night but if you know there is a danger to your life if you do, why would you do it?

[Anonymous]

Why don't we put this here:
From the DC gov Highway Safety Office:
https://visionzero.dc.gov/pages/pedestrian-safety

District Pedestrian Traffic Regulations


What about walking rules?

Cross the street at a crosswalk, or if no crosswalk exists, at the intersection.
Wait for the “Walk” signal before crossing.
Yield to motor vehicles when crossing mid-block.
Do not walk in the street if a sidewalk is provided.
Do not walk while distracted by cell phones or other electronic devices.

As a driver, what should I know about bicycling and walking in DC?

Vehicles turning right on red must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
When turning right across a bike lane, check for cyclists, merge into the bike lane, and then execute your turn.
When turning left or right, check for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Bikes lanes are reserved for bicyclists. Do not park or drive in bike lanes.
Unless signage indicates otherwise, bicyclists are allowed on all streets and sidewalks outside the DC Central Business District.

[Anonymous]

Furthermore from the first page on that site (you know, the official DC gov site):

Because you know---maybe it makes sense to teach your kids to be defensive, smart walkers.

Tips for Walking Safely
Whether going for an afternoon stroll, commuting to work on foot, or simply getting some exercise, walking and running are great activities. However, it is important that pedestrians pay attention to their surroundings. When walking or exercising, especially in the early morning or at dusk or dark, pedestrians should keep the following safety tips in mind:

Use signaled crosswalks when possible and exercise extreme caution when crossing at intersections without signals.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Never run between cars into the street.
Wear reflective clothing that makes a walker more visible to drivers and other road users. That means no dark clothes after dark or early in the morning.
Many athletic shoes have reflective qualities built in, but walkers should consider wearing a vest complete with reflective tape.
Keep alert! Dawn and dusk offer convenient shadows for muggers and other crooks.
Runners should ALWAYS carry identification with them when they go out. If carrying a license seems too inconvenient, consider purchasing an identification bracelet or tag for shoes. New products designed especially for runners, bikers, and other athletes are on the market. A simple internet search for “identification bracelet” will provide numerous results.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Furthermore from the first page on that site (you know, the official DC gov site):

Because you know---maybe it makes sense to teach your kids to be defensive, smart walkers.

Tips for Walking Safely
Whether going for an afternoon stroll, commuting to work on foot, or simply getting some exercise, walking and running are great activities. However, it is important that pedestrians pay attention to their surroundings. When walking or exercising, especially in the early morning or at dusk or dark, pedestrians should keep the following safety tips in mind:

Use signaled crosswalks when possible and exercise extreme caution when crossing at intersections without signals.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Never run between cars into the street.
Wear reflective clothing that makes a walker more visible to drivers and other road users. That means no dark clothes after dark or early in the morning.
Many athletic shoes have reflective qualities built in, but walkers should consider wearing a vest complete with reflective tape.
Keep alert! Dawn and dusk offer convenient shadows for muggers and other crooks.
Runners should ALWAYS carry identification with them when they go out. If carrying a license seems too inconvenient, consider purchasing an identification bracelet or tag for shoes. New products designed especially for runners, bikers, and other athletes are on the market. A simple internet search for “identification bracelet” will provide numerous results.

And the kid did not violate a single one of these suggestions, and still got hit by a car. Because it was driver error. But here you are, on your thirtieth post trying to find a way to blame the victim, doing online research to come up with "blaming the victim is the *correct* reaction" support, because you are a terrible driver who doesn't think traffic laws apply to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Furthermore from the first page on that site (you know, the official DC gov site):

Because you know---maybe it makes sense to teach your kids to be defensive, smart walkers.

Tips for Walking Safely
Whether going for an afternoon stroll, commuting to work on foot, or simply getting some exercise, walking and running are great activities. However, it is important that pedestrians pay attention to their surroundings. When walking or exercising, especially in the early morning or at dusk or dark, pedestrians should keep the following safety tips in mind:

Use signaled crosswalks when possible and exercise extreme caution when crossing at intersections without signals.
Look both ways before crossing the street.
Never run between cars into the street.
Wear reflective clothing that makes a walker more visible to drivers and other road users. That means no dark clothes after dark or early in the morning.
Many athletic shoes have reflective qualities built in, but walkers should consider wearing a vest complete with reflective tape.
Keep alert! Dawn and dusk offer convenient shadows for muggers and other crooks.
Runners should ALWAYS carry identification with them when they go out. If carrying a license seems too inconvenient, consider purchasing an identification bracelet or tag for shoes. New products designed especially for runners, bikers, and other athletes are on the market. A simple internet search for “identification bracelet” will provide numerous results.

Just waiting for one of the dolts to come on and say “way for DC to victim blame!”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are drivers who make mistakes and student walkers that make mistakes.

I have no idea what happened in this case (as I was not there) but what is the post of posting about it if not to remind us all to be more vigilant?
I'm using it as a cautionary tale to slow down when I'm driving, especially around DC schools and will remind my kids to always be super vigilant when walking as they can never control who is driving and how.

Why does everything on DCUM have to become so hostile?
I guarantee all of us have made mistakes when driving and all of our kids have made mistakes when walking.
Some posters just need to settle down and chill the f^*K out.

NP, but part of my frustration with DC and driving is that DC is so horrifically bad about holding bad drivers accountable in any way.

Police generally don't ever pull people over for traffic infractions. If they do attempt to and the person runs, they generally can't pursue given concern the pursuit will lead to pedestrian injury/death.
So instead of using police, they use speed and red light cameras. They then do absolutely nothing to people who incur thousands of dollars of tickets. If those people live in VA or MD, there is no interstate reciprocity to hold them accountable.
Even if they do try to hold repeat offenders accountable and find their car to boot, if it's not immediately towed, the owner finds a way to get the boot off anyway (witnessed kids doing this on my own street, boot off shortly after booting)
Even people with repeat offenses like DUIs get a court conviction, or system is so abysmal that the DMV hasn't gotten proper notice to discontinue the license (see Rock Creek DUI case that killed 3 people).

The entire system means people can do whatever the heck they want and there will be no repercussions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Parents need to remind their kids that they should not wear headphones while walking. It's a huge safety hazard. They also shouldn't walk while looking down at their phones.

This was a kid walking in a crosswalk. The car closest to the curb stopped to let her pass, and the car in the left lane did not slow down to see if anyone was coming and hit a kid.

It's not the kid's fault for jumping into traffic. It's not the kid's fault for wearing headphones. It's not parents' faults for not training their kids.

THIS WAS A TERRIBLE DRIVER DRIVING TERRIBLY AND HITTING A CHILD WHO HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY. Stop trying to make it anything else. You people are deeply disgusting.

Yup, people really are brainwashed on this topic. I have a family member who was hit by a car while in a crosswalk recently—a crosswalk where multiple others walkers/cyclists have been hit and seriously injured (not in DC)—and even they were making excuses for the driver and why it’s just really hard for drivers to drive more slowly/carefully on this busy road.

So... many intersections in DC are actually poorly designed. That doesn't make it not the driver's fault, but if we know it's systemically an issue, we should be making systemic changes. For instance, additional raised crosswalks in busy areas/near schools; there is tons of evidence that they decrease accidents by decreasing speed and improving sight lines. Drivers hate them and I don't care.