Help my friend and I settle an argument...

gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
29,239
2
0
he says that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, no matter what, because "the car is bigger". i say this is bull sh!t... if some pedestrian steps out into traffic and gets run over that's their own goddamn fault and they are at fault.
 

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
Originally posted by: gopunk
he says that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, no matter what, because "the car is bigger". i say this is bull sh!t... if some pedestrian steps out into traffic and gets run over that's their own goddamn fault and they are at fault.

I believe pedestrians always have the right of way, although if a pedestrian were hit in traffic on I-5 during rush hour, I doubt he would have any legal recourse.
 

StevenYoo

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2001
8,628
0
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Originally posted by: gopunk
he says that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, no matter what, because "the car is bigger". i say this is bull sh!t... if some pedestrian steps out into traffic and gets run over that's their own goddamn fault and they are at fault.

i think this depends on where you are. It certainly ISN'T the case in New York City. You step in the street at the wrong time and you're either cursed at and honked at by at least 10 taxi drivers or you're roadkill.

Now I've never been to the west coast, but I hear that cars have to stop for people... and that's TOTALLY weird to us New Yorkers.
 

bugsysiegel

Golden Member
Jan 11, 2001
1,213
1
81
I would think pedestrians have the right of way only if they are in a crosswalk. A person who is J-walking is breaking the law.
 

fatbaby

Banned
May 7, 2001
6,427
1
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in ca, pedestrians always have the right of way...of course common sense prevents you from doing stupid things anyways

also in ca, you have to wait til the pedestrian fully crosses the street before you can go! :|
 

eakers

Lifer
Aug 14, 2000
12,169
2
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in guelph theres a sign at this one point in the street that says "CAUTION: pedestrians do NOT have right of way here"

i always thought it was funny.

*kat. <-- unbanned and feelin good.
 

kami

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
17,627
5
81
I think your friend is right...peds always have the right of way, but if they get hit it's not necessarily the drivers fault.
 

vi edit

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 28, 1999
62,484
8,344
126
In a crosswalk yes, and even then with a decent lawyer you could still win if they did something incredibly stupid.
 
Jul 12, 2001
10,142
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Originally posted by: GuybrushThreepwood
Originally posted by: gopunk
he says that pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way, no matter what, because "the car is bigger". i say this is bull sh!t... if some pedestrian steps out into traffic and gets run over that's their own goddamn fault and they are at fault.

i think this depends on where you are. It certainly ISN'T the case in New York City. You step in the street at the wrong time and you're either cursed at and honked at by at least 10 taxi drivers or you're roadkill.

Now I've never been to the west coast, but I hear that cars have to stop for people... and that's TOTALLY weird to us New Yorkers.

I know...i live in LA now and ill be waiting to jaywalk and cars will just stop in the middle of the road...i start yelling at them...
 

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
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If there is a crosswalk and no crosswalk lights, the pedestrian has the right-of-way every time. If those two conditions aren't met, the pededestrian DOES NOT have the right-of-way.

nik
 

TNTrulez

Banned
Aug 3, 2001
2,804
0
0
Originally posted by: ffmcobalt
If there is a crosswalk and no crosswalk lights, the pedestrian has the right-of-way every time. If those two conditions aren't met, the pededestrian DOES NOT have the right-of-way.

nik

 

Hammer

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
13,217
1
81
I believe here in Texas, the pedestrian always has the right of way. At least thats what I remember from defensive driving.
 

Pr0Hawk

Platinum Member
Feb 12, 2001
2,607
0
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Illinois state law says pedistrains always have the right of way when they are in crosswalks.
 

Derango

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2002
3,113
1
0
Of course if they don't have the right of way and they're in the middle of the road...its probably a good idea to not run them over :)
 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
14,337
136
Originally posted by: db
Depends on the state.

In Oregon, pedestrians always have the right-of-way, which (combined with the narrow streets and short blocks) would explain why downtown Portland is the jaywalk capitol of the world.
A couple of years ago in the city of Hillsboro, the local cops did a little BS fundraiser. They had a plainclothes cop stand at a corner with no marked crosswalk who would step out into the intersection when a car approached. If the car did not immediately stop, a nearby cruiser would hand out $175 tickets for failure-to-yield. :|
 

anonymouschris

Diamond Member
Jan 17, 2001
3,101
0
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i beg to differ. after having lived in hong kong for 4 years of my life, i believe hong kong is the jwalk capital of the world. my 2 cents worth.