Who would be at fault? Pedestrian question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All I’m getting from this is that cars should be physically limited from going above 20 mph in the city. It makes “slamming on the brakes” much less of a big deal.

This jumped out at me - even in our suburban downtowns the speed limit is usually 25MPH so why either driver had to slam on their brakes is beyond me - if this was a square intersection everyone should have been able to see each other and avoid anyone needing to slam on the brakes.

Unless this pedestrian popped out of a sewer the driver should easily have been able to see them even if they were crossing on a do not walk signal.

Of course many drivers in this area, especially those from MD, think that when you are waiting at a light it is a great time to whip the phone out and check your texts so curious if OP was really focused on the road.

[Anonymous]

Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

The traffic is wretched because of all of the people driving.

Also, if you had a green light and there's no green arrow, then there was also a walk signal. If the pedestrian was crossing in the flashing-red phase, that's probably because there are only a few seconds to start crossing legally on a walk signal during the morning commute, so when there's an opportunity to cross, pedestrians take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

No you don't have to take it - you just want to take it.

You and the other drivers all elected to take your steel boxes into a congested area.

If you had a green light the pedestrian had a walk signal and was in the crosswalk so you need to yield. Makes no difference if there is congestion or you paid a lot for your SUV or had long drive in from the suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't matter at all that there was a pedestrian. The driver who failed to observe traffic (the other car) is at fault.

OP is at fault. She was turning left, car coming at her, was going straight at green light, clearly. Pedestrian is irrelevant, apart from why she stopped in the middle of the intersection. This is very easy. You don't make a turn if you can't. The end. It is your duty to make sure you are clear to make this turn left with no green arrow. In case of the accident, police probably wouldn't even talk to the pedestrian. You can only turn left if it is fully safe and clear. This was not the case, no matter what caused it, you are at fault.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

My, my, how the "have to" has evolved. You want to take it so you don't wait. Leave house early for work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You would be at fault because you couldn't complete your turn when you entered the intersection.

But wouldn’t that be because the pedestrian walked out into the street when they weren’t supposed to?

Nobody cares about the pedestrian. It was OP's duty to make sure she could turn. She is in the middle of the opposing traffic that has full on green light. You get it? She had blocked all the traffic that has full on light right of way. This is a problem I see here all the time. People don't pay attention to pedestrians, how would OP even know if pedestrian had a green light or not? Many intersections do have a green crossing in these situation. She is fishing for straws. Likely pedestrian had a right of way too. Makes not sense not to in the situation described.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a wake up call for you OP. You need to understand that pedestrians are part of traffic and to pay attention to them. How would you ever know pedestrian had this or that light?!

[Anonymous]

When one person is ensased in steel and the other person is not, the person in the steel box is at fault. Always.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When one person is ensased in steel and the other person is not, the person in the steel box is at fault. Always.

Always?

My friend had a non-steel-encased person jump off a bridge into highway traffic, bouncing off my friend's car, in what was probably a successful suicide attempt. It was fatal -- he died on impact. My friend, although encased in steel, could neither have prevented nor predicted the event.

Who was at fault?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

No, you don't have to take it. And you only have a few seconds because there are too many cars on the road. That "too many" includes you.

You take as long as it takes to turn and wait until it's fully clear of cars, people, or obstruction. If you have to wait several light cycles, then that's what you do. It's basic driving 101.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting to read the responses.

This happened to me recently. The car going straight stopped and honked at me and I gestured toward the pedestrian walking nonchalantly and illegally in the crosswalk.

The problem is that I only have a few seconds to turn left at this intersection during the morning commute: there is no green arrow, cars are coming thick and heavy even when the lights turns orange, so when I have a small window, I have to take it. The cars behind me waiting to turn left like me all start to honk anytime they perceive that I (or another car) take too much time to turn, because they'll be stuck waiting an extra light cycle, or several.

Wretched traffic.

np I hate the judgement in your use of the word "nonchalantly" Are you ever a pedestrian? They are constantly being threatened on the road and the sidewalk and they have every right to walk the way they want across the street. They should not have to run because you need to make a left. Go walk around more and gain some sympathy! Not everyone is fit and healthy. Some are old and disabled. Give us a break with your judgement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When one person is ensased in steel and the other person is not, the person in the steel box is at fault. Always.

Always?

My friend had a non-steel-encased person jump off a bridge into highway traffic, bouncing off my friend's car, in what was probably a successful suicide attempt. It was fatal -- he died on impact. My friend, although encased in steel, could neither have prevented nor predicted the event.

Who was at fault?

Did you really want PP to say, "When one person is encased in steel and the other person is not, the person in the steel box is at fault except when the other person is attempting suicide"?

[Anonymous]

Possibly the other driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't matter at all that there was a pedestrian. The driver who failed to observe traffic (the other car) is at fault.

Incorrect.

If OP had a green arrow, then that's very different. If OP had a basic green light, the other car in oncoming traffic likely also had a basic green light - that means it's green to go STRAIGHT. Green does not mean it's ok to turn. OP failed to yield to the pedestrian, AND traffic. OP would be completely at fault.

This. The other car had a green light, was proceeding through the intersection, and a car (OP) turned into their lane and *stopped*. As between those two cars, there's no question that the OP is at fault.