Rant: I learned the hard way why it's important to drive slow in a school zone, even if other cars don't...

[Ricemarine]

Ahh yes, 4 weeks into my drivers license... I was driving to school, all groggy and running just on orange juice. It's raining really bad, and so I drive at 25 mph until I am about 10 meters or so from the end of the school zone, where a crosswalk is. With my ignorance, I started accelerating to 35 mph, which is the speed limit after the school zone. So, about 5 or so meters before I hit the crosswalk, a guy with his umbrella decides to walk into the crosswalk. With my pedal on the accelerators still, I swerved away from him, and the guy flipped the bird at me angrily.

So now, my consciousness has gotten to me, I feel really bad about almost hitting the person... I would want to say sorry to the person, but I have a very good feeling he'll either argue with me about my ignorance rationally, or move a step beyond.

Is there any things I should do to possibly resolve the issue, besides going down that road again, or at least in a more safe manner of 20 mph?...


Cliffs:

1. I accelerated to 35 towards end of school zone.
2. Random guy steps into the crosswalk when I'm a few meters away
3. I swerve and he jumps back and gives me the finger.
4. My fault entirely.

ATOT will either
1. Not care
2. Think of the asian stereotype
or
3. Actually comment in a serious manner.

 

[hypn0tik]

Asians can't drive.

 

[Baked]

Take the bus.

 

[Syringer]

I don't care, asians can't drive at all.

On the other hand, slow down, be careful, we don't want to see you get in any trouble

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine
...

ATOT will either
1. Not care
2. Think of the asian stereotype
or
3. Actually comment in a serious manner.
4. Wonder why the hell you posted this

Are you looking for us to absolve your sins? Your post sounds like you're asking for advice, but using common sense would be the best solution (obeying speed limits, or reducing speed in poor weather conditions).

And you say 'random guy steps into the street' - is it a crosswalk or is it not?

 

[blackdogdeek]

conscience

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
And you say 'random guy steps into the street' - is it a crosswalk or is it not?

It was.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

I speed almost all the time. But not in school zones. They are there for a reason dumbass.

 

[FleshLight]

Luvly?

 

[oddyager]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
I speed almost all the time. But not in school zones. They are there for a reason dumbass.

What he said.

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: diegoalcatraz
And you say 'random guy steps into the street' - is it a crosswalk or is it not?

It was.

Lesson learned. Pedestrians can be very aggressive when it comes to using crosswalks - many times they will jump out into the street without giving vehicles any indication of their intentions. And likewise, many drivers don't recognize that those on foot have the right of way in this situation.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Don't do it again...

That's pretty much all you need or should do, other than get over it of course.

 

[badmouse]

Life sends you lessons. Learn.

 

[chambersc]

You were wrong to speed up. You know this. You must always yield for pedestrians. You know this.

 

[fishface313]

if you get caught speeding in a school zone down here(jacksonville) you will go broke paying the fine! Luckily almost everybody slows down when they see the blinking lights and kids running around the sidewalks

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: Syringer
I don't care, asians in ricer cars can't drive at all.

On the other hand, slow down, be careful, we don't want to see you get in any trouble

Fixed. I'm Asian and I drive safely. It's only the morons with riced out vehicles who ironically are the worst drivers.

 

[altonb1]

I'll be the one that takes the opposite viewpoint, I guess...

The pedestrian was an idiot. Crosswalk or not, Car beats human every time. you can debate the speeding issue if you would like, but whether 25mph or 35mph, it still equals injured pedestrian if struck by the vehicle.

I don't get these people that walk into the street and just assume traffic will stop/yield to them. The law may be written in their favor, but if you put a 3500lb object driving towards me at pretty much ANY speed, and I think I'll wait before proceeding.

and to top this off--it was raining. This means it takes longer to stop, visibility is reduced, and tires have less grip on the road. Yet the pedestrian felt he should walk into the road in front of an oncoming vehicle--I'll state it again: the pedestrian was an idiot.

OP: lesson learned. slow down and try to pay more attention--as you have learned, there are a bunch of idiot pedestrians out there.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

you fail

 

[Number1]

Lesson learned, you won't make that mistake again.
Good for you.

 

[SophalotJack]

Were you racing a schoolgirl on her bicycle OP?

Who the hell were you trying to impress speeding that much in a pedestrian's haven?

 

[spidey07]

I'd like to offer a bit of driving advice.

1) Even at 25 you were probably going too fast for conditions (school zone, poor visibility, decreased traction, increase braking distance, etc)
2) In such a scenario one should slow down and go BELOW the speed limit.
3) You judge these scenarios as they present themselves....hmmm, school zone, bad visibility, pedestrians around....I should go slowly and keep my eyes peeled.

hey, I speed like a madman. But when visibility is poor and people are around slow down. ESPECIALLY SCHOOL ZONES. Do you wanna be "that guy" that plowed over a kid?