Anonymous
12/07/2011 12:27
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
Anonymous wrote:I think the point here is that having the crosswalk in the middle of the street is likely to cause more accidents. I can understand pedestrians crosswalks with the walk signal at the traffic light or at the corner of a street, but to put the crosswalk in the center of the block is bad for the drivers who have to stop and get rear-ended or honked at, as well as the pedestrians (who may assume that because they have the right of way, stupidly think that they can step into oncoming traffic with complete disregard--even if they have the right of way, think who is more likely to get hurt). I think it leads to more accidents, and actually makes it less safe for the pedestrians.
The concerned drivers are not being honest.
Each of us has to stop on the road in order to turn into a parking lot, pull into a parking space, etc. We do not fear for our lives each time we do it, risking a rear-end collision at every turn.
So what's the difference when we stop at a crosswalk? It's not the driver behind us. The problem is that we, the "concerned" driver, are stopping more suddenly because WE are not keeping our eyes open.
If you drive the same route, you know where the crosswalks are. We do OUR job of looking ahead, and no one will rear-end us because we will be stopping at a reasonable rate.
Anonymous
12/07/2011 00:57
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
my thoughts, as someone who works on Wilson:
1. I always walk right in front of cars at these crosswalks. Otherwise I couldn't walk to lunch. The cars stop but they scowl.
2. Yes, we need to widen 66 now. Interstates cost so much to build and the right-of-ways have been bought and the infrastructure is there. So silly to have it two lines HOV only.
1. I always walk right in front of cars at these crosswalks. Otherwise I couldn't walk to lunch. The cars stop but they scowl.
2. Yes, we need to widen 66 now. Interstates cost so much to build and the right-of-ways have been bought and the infrastructure is there. So silly to have it two lines HOV only.
Anonymous
12/07/2011 00:25
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
Anonymous wrote:I think the point here is that having the crosswalk in the middle of the street is likely to cause more accidents. I can understand pedestrians crosswalks with the walk signal at the traffic light or at the corner of a street, but to put the crosswalk in the center of the block is bad for the drivers who have to stop and get rear-ended or honked at, as well as the pedestrians (who may assume that because they have the right of way, stupidly think that they can step into oncoming traffic with complete disregard--even if they have the right of way, think who is more likely to get hurt). I think it leads to more accidents, and actually makes it less safe for the pedestrians.
The alternative is more stop lights. Then there will be another group of drivers complaining about that, too.
I haven't run through a crosswalk with a pedestrian in it after nearly thirty years of driving. I don't know why it is so difficult to look at the signs.
Anonymous
12/07/2011 00:09
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
Long blocks without legal crossing opportunities tempt jaywalking, which is much riskier, at worst and discourage walking at best.
The decision to do this without stoplights is probably based partly on cost, but eventually drivers will have to learn that the allocation of space and priority is changing.
The decision to do this without stoplights is probably based partly on cost, but eventually drivers will have to learn that the allocation of space and priority is changing.
Anonymous
12/07/2011 00:03
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
I think the point here is that having the crosswalk in the middle of the street is likely to cause more accidents. I can understand pedestrians crosswalks with the walk signal at the traffic light or at the corner of a street, but to put the crosswalk in the center of the block is bad for the drivers who have to stop and get rear-ended or honked at, as well as the pedestrians (who may assume that because they have the right of way, stupidly think that they can step into oncoming traffic with complete disregard--even if they have the right of way, think who is more likely to get hurt). I think it leads to more accidents, and actually makes it less safe for the pedestrians.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 23:42
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
Anonymous wrote:arlington sucks WIDEN 66 NOW
Take Metro and stretch your legs a little.
Widening roads for more cars only works for portions of the road network, and is a temporary solution whose benefits vanish as the population grows. Planners need to think in terms of moving much larger numbers of people than can be accommodated in cars now and of even more citizens coming in the future.
As a DC resident, I sometimes think Arlington kind of sucks, too. But their transit planners absolutely have the right of it and it is becoming a good model of responsible suburban growth.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 23:36
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
They should place day-glo orange cinder blocks on the side of the road. When a pedestrian wants to cross the street, they pick up the cinder-block. If a car refuses to yield the right-of-way, the pedestrian gets to toss the cinder-block up in the air in front of the oncoming car, and skitter out of the way. My guess is that this will serve to prick the concentration of even your most checked-out driver.
The only way anything is going to change is if drivers are forced to put some skin in the game.
The only way anything is going to change is if drivers are forced to put some skin in the game.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 23:24
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
Anonymous wrote:For example, Wilson has crosswalk in the MIDDLE of the road--idiot pedestrians think that they can just step in front of on-coming traffic whenever they want even though there are no stop signs or traffic lights requiring the cars to stop. Somehow the concept of "right of way" is getting taken too far...A pedestrian still needs to wait for the road to be clear before crossing; it's only if you're already in the crosswalk that a vehicle needs to yield.
If there is a pedestrian crosswalk then the pedestrian has the right to cross the street there. FYI, pedestrians have the right of way. Hit one and you will be sued; kill one and it is vehicular homicide. If you can't see a pedestrian then you shouldn't be driving.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 22:43
Subject: Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs)?
arlington sucks WIDEN 66 NOW
Anonymous
12/06/2011 22:19
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
Anonymous wrote:I live in Arlington. I respect pedestrians and I often am one, because it's better for the environment, my own health, and (guess what folks) it's also better for the neighborhood. I'm surprised at the number of people on this chain whose lard asses are so attached to their cars they actually think it is strange to want to make a community more friendly to people on foot and on bike than in cars. I'd suggest they consider driving on Rte 50, I-66 or staying happily in the exurbs where you can blast around driving 40 mph.
I actually don't think most people who have posted here disagree with you. They are mostly saying that when they do try to stop for pedestrians, they are taking their own lives in their hands because other drivers around them do not seem to notice that they the car in front of them has stopped. I agree with the PP that more flashing lights would be helpful. Those pedestrian signs just don't cut it - they are too small, especially on roads that are two lanes in each direction.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 22:12
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
I live in Arlington. I respect pedestrians and I often am one, because it's better for the environment, my own health, and (guess what folks) it's also better for the neighborhood. I'm surprised at the number of people on this chain whose lard asses are so attached to their cars they actually think it is strange to want to make a community more friendly to people on foot and on bike than in cars. I'd suggest they consider driving on Rte 50, I-66 or staying happily in the exurbs where you can blast around driving 40 mph.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 21:42
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
Anonymous wrote:I'm amazed people don't die at those things on a daily basis with the way people fly up and down Wilson and Clarendon. It is hard to see some of them, particularly as certain types aren't really visible until you are right upon them. When you get to that point you have to decide whether to hit the brakes while nervously looking in your rearview mirror wondering if you're going to get slammed into by the dozy cabbie behind you. The signs aren't always clearly visible due to trees or tall vehicles. In England the Ped-Xs have flashing yellow lights which are painstakingly adhered to by drivers, to the point where pedestrians will confidently step out in front of moving cars. I still prefer to wait and see what a driver does before proceeding though.
I lived in the intersection of Quincy and 9th, right between Wilson and FFX Blvd. There was a crash every other week there because someone would not stop for pedestrians or at that stop sign.
People should CALM DOWN when they're behind the wheel.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 21:30
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
Anonymous wrote:I think these crosswalks are so dangerous for the driver who actually stops. I cannot tell you how many times I have actually stopped to yield to a pedestrian as the sign says, and I have gotten honked at by the car behind me, or I feel like the car behind me is going to rear end me because they do not know they need to stop. I know it is the law, but no one follows it and it is dangerous.
This almost happened to me today, although in McLean near McLean HS. Second car behind apparently wasn't paying attention, and had to drive up on the sidewalk to avoid hitting the two of us who stopped.
That said, I still think stopping is the way to go.
Anonymous
12/06/2011 16:54
Subject: Re:Why is Arlington putting crosswalks in the MIDDLE of roads (where there are no traffic/stop signs
I'm amazed people don't die at those things on a daily basis with the way people fly up and down Wilson and Clarendon. It is hard to see some of them, particularly as certain types aren't really visible until you are right upon them. When you get to that point you have to decide whether to hit the brakes while nervously looking in your rearview mirror wondering if you're going to get slammed into by the dozy cabbie behind you. The signs aren't always clearly visible due to trees or tall vehicles. In England the Ped-Xs have flashing yellow lights which are painstakingly adhered to by drivers, to the point where pedestrians will confidently step out in front of moving cars. I still prefer to wait and see what a driver does before proceeding though.