Please be careful entering crosswalks as a car and a walker

Submitted by ITMORON t3_yti565 in rva

I saw and experienced people not paying attention and a car almost hit a couple trying to cross as the driver was oblivious or just didn’t care. I was driving downtown today heading home and was going quite slowly and this lady rushed out into a crosswalk with out looking at all. I was just about to drive across it as it appeared no one was there and this lady runs right out, I stopped well short of her yet still caught a side eye when she noticed me.

Please take care and pay attention on both ends folks!

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MaryDellamorte t1_iw4iiyu wrote

Even in crosswalks, pedestrians cannot willfully step in front of oncoming cars. There’s a shared responsibility between pedestrians and cars no matter who has the right of way.

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ChiliTrees t1_iw4l0cv wrote

I just always assume the other person is going to do the dumbest shit possible. If I’m driving I assume the pedestrian WILL step in front of my car. If I’m walking I assume the car WILL NOT stop. It’s unfortunate I have to do that but it’s just safer that way.

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stormcloudbros t1_iw5bg2o wrote

It’s not a person entering the crosswalk’s responsibility to look as they have the right of way regardless of who will fare better in this scenario. Please be more alert when driving through crosswalks or turn in your driver’s license.

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MaryDellamorte t1_iw5cech wrote

Replying to stormcloudbros (#515,075)

From the code of Virginia:

“No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic.”

“When crossing highways, pedestrians shall not carelessly or maliciously interfere with the orderly passage of vehicles.”

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stormcloudbros t1_iw5dsm5 wrote

Replying to Portmessexpress (#515,184)

The point is that it’s fucked up we scold a person for stepping into a crosswalk and throw our hands up at reckless drivers. Is that really how you want to live? There’s nothing funny about getting hit by a car.

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MaryDellamorte t1_iw5e1fa wrote

Replying to stormcloudbros (#515,147)

Even if a pedestrian has the right of way, Virginia has something called contributory negligence.

Contributory Negligence:

“Under Virginia negligence laws, if an injured person is found to have contributed to the accident or injury in any way, no matter how minor, you don't have a case. It's a very harsh rule that still applies in the Commonwealth. Some states follow a more enlightened version of the fault law called "comparative negligence." Alas, Virginia still chooses what is known as the "pure contributory negligence rule." That means the other person has to be 100 percent at fault or you can't collect any monetary damages.”

A pedestrian carelessly stepping in front of a car at an intersection, even if the pedestrian has the right of way, would fall under contributory negligence.

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