Freakin' A...BASTARD jaywalker

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
So I'm driving to work to take care of a couple quick things so that I can run experiments tomorrow.

The streets are pretty deserted due to the hour. The lights are green for blocks. I notice a jaywalker about a block ahead of me is crossing the street. No big deal...I certainly wouldn't wait for the light at this time of night. He's nonchalantly strolling across. I'm driving at a constant speed of 30mph or so. Hmm...he's not speeding up. I'm maybe a half block away, and I'm watching the guy, and he's watching me. I wait for him to walk faster...I have the right of way, after all; and while I'm certainly not going to HIT him, I resent having to slow down for a jaywalker. But the timing is OK, and he reaches the line of parked cars as I'm getting into the intersection.

And stands there. WTF? He watches as I drive past, and just as I'm passing him he reaches out his hand and BANG! Goes my passenger side mirror. The bastard just hit the thing right off.

Don't get me wrong, I seriously considered pulling to a screeching halt, pulling the machete out of my trunk (I do yard work at my uncle's house), and holding it while calmly explaining that I had a green light, replacing the mirror would cost about $100, and if he paid me right now I'd call it even and forget the whole thing happened.

But alas, I'm not a complete idiot, so I just seethed in impotent rage, parked my car, and fired up the equipment. And to think that this thing happened within blocks of a police station...

I hope his hand hurts like hell.
 

xSkyDrAx

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2003
7,706
1
0
You should have at least stopped and ask whytf did you do that/pay for damages or something. He did, after all, damage your property.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx
You should have at least stopped and ask whytf did you do that/pay for damages or something. He did, after all, damage your property.

Reasons why that wouldn't go over well:
a)Without the machete, he looked like he could take me
b)The provocative nature of his act indicates to me at least that he probably WOULD want to pick a fight
c)I don't want to go to jail over a mirror, and I don't want to get beat up over a mirror

/EDIT: come to think of it, though, I should probably file a police report. The station's only a block away, and if I want to go through insurance to get it repaired, they'll want evidence.
 

DayLaPaul

Platinum Member
Apr 6, 2001
2,072
0
76
You know how much that must have hurt? Guy must have been on PCP or something. Good thing you didn't stop.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
126
Years ago while riding my motorcycle a car pulled out in front of me going in the opposite direction I was going. She basically cut me off. I was doing about 30 and she was probably going about 10-15.
I raised my hand to flip her off and my hand hit her mirror. It broke off and ended up in my lap. It didn't hurt but I did have gloves on.
 

Cuda1447

Lifer
Jul 26, 2002
11,757
0
71
Holy shit, I want to rip someones mirror off with my hand. Thanks for the advice oldsmoboat, I'll wear gloves...
 

herrjimbo

Senior member
Aug 21, 2001
830
11
81
be careful. this bastard jaywalker could claim that you hit him. even though he was jaywalking, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.
 

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: herrjimbo
be careful. this bastard jaywalker could claim that you hit him. even though he was jaywalking, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.

First of all...nope!
WAC 504-14-940

Pedestrians.

(1) When traffic control signals are in place at intersections, pedestrians shall be subject to them.
(3) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

But it's a good point, and another reason why I think I'll file a report when the station opens tomorrow (I went over there tonight but they were closed).
 

herrjimbo

Senior member
Aug 21, 2001
830
11
81
i understand what you are saying, but around here, with a vehicle made of steel and weighing in at around 1500 lbs or better, the pedestrian will win with a decent attorney.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
126
Originally posted by: herrjimbo
i understand what you are saying, but around here, with a vehicle made of steel and weighing in at around 1500 lbs or better, the pedestrian will win with a decent attorney.

How about if the vehicle is made of fiberglass?
Or waffles?
 

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Originally posted by: herrjimbo
i understand what you are saying, but around here, with a vehicle made of steel and weighing in at around 1500 lbs or better, the pedestrian will win with a decent attorney.

How about if the vehicle is made of fiberglass?
Or waffles?

Waffles FTW!

I am going to make some, how many do you want?
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
126
Originally posted by: rudeguy
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Originally posted by: herrjimbo
i understand what you are saying, but around here, with a vehicle made of steel and weighing in at around 1500 lbs or better, the pedestrian will win with a decent attorney.

How about if the vehicle is made of fiberglass?
Or waffles?

Waffles FTW!

I am going to make some, how many do you want?

2 please. With butter and jam.
 

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,125
780
126
Originally posted by: rudeguy
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Originally posted by: rudeguy
[

Waffles FTW!

I am going to make some, how many do you want?

2 please. With butter and jam.

Jam on waffles?

To each his own, coming right up!

Jam on everything. I am not a syrup type of guy.
 

skyking

Lifer
Nov 21, 2001
22,809
5,973
146
Originally posted by: DangerAardvark
That's actually kind of funny. A slow jaywalker randomly slapped your mirror off.

:)
I tend to let off the throttle a bit instinctively, giving pedestrians ample time to get across the street. Maybe that was what this bastard anticipated.
 

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
0
Trade machete for cell phone. If the police are really a block away he isnt going to run too damned far before they have a cop car there.
 

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
Years ago while riding my motorcycle a car pulled out in front of me going in the opposite direction I was going. She basically cut me off. I was doing about 30 and she was probably going about 10-15.
I raised my hand to flip her off and my hand hit her mirror. It broke off and ended up in my lap. It didn't hurt but I did have gloves on.
Did you get it re-attached? :D
 

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: herrjimbo
be careful. this bastard jaywalker could claim that you hit him. even though he was jaywalking, pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.

First of all...nope!
WAC 504-14-940

Pedestrians.

(1) When traffic control signals are in place at intersections, pedestrians shall be subject to them.
(3) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

But it's a good point, and another reason why I think I'll file a report when the station opens tomorrow (I went over there tonight but they were closed).

Bolded part is were pedestrian + lawyer usually fight for.
 

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Why did he do that? Shouldn't his hand be much worse off than your mirror? He probably broke every bone so he could sue you.... which is why you should file a police report.
 

mizzou

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2008
9,734
54
91
if the guy was strolling and you saw him from very very far away, you should have yielded.

sorry dude

the law would only protect if the guy bolted out in front of you and you hit him even in the event of slamming on your brakes

I wouldn't go the the police IMO, you probably got off easy