General Discussion

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)

79. I'm a driver and that's one reason I wrote the OP

Wed May 15, 2013, 03:17 PM

May 2013

I'm also a pedestrian and a mass transit user, less frequently a cyclist.

As a driver, I see very frequently, cars honking at pedestrians who have green lights, honking at cars waiting for those pedestrians, cars driving through crosswalks while pedestrians and cyclists are in them, and the list goes on.

Meanwhile, as a pedestrian myself I observe many times each day, cars breaking traffic laws with respect to pedestrians, making us all less safe.

Why would a driver be offended when asked to be careful and respect pedestrians and cyclists, when statistics show that they are the victims of cars time and time again at rates that dwarf injuries or deaths caused by other types of transportation?

Why would a driver be offended? Are they all perfect? Is your self esteem about driving not high enough? Do you need a pat on the back? Does every driver need a pat on the back?

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Solo Drivers should be appreciative of buses, bicyclists, pedestrians and carpoolers -not resentful [View all] CreekDog May 2013 OP

:) CreekDog May 2013 #1

Some of us don't have a choice in driving solo, liberalhistorian May 2013 #2

well you didn't read the OP because you are arguing with things I didn't say CreekDog May 2013 #4

You are implying that people who bike liberalhistorian May 2013 #5

Well, they are. GliderGuider May 2013 #56

How does it feel? pintobean May 2013 #9

Anyone who can afford a car can afford a bicycle. N.T. Donald Ian Rankin May 2013 #11

Yes, I'm sure our bank would love us liberalhistorian May 2013 #12

In lieu of, not in addition to. n/t Chan790 May 2013 #22

thank you CreekDog May 2013 #47

Try dropping off your 2 year old at day care on a bike. JDPriestly May 2013 #54

Dutch cargo bikes will carry two year olds. My neighbors have one. GoneOffShore May 2013 #65

Agreed on this one: JDPriestly May 2013 #75

Yes, there are speedometers for bicycles. Gormy Cuss May 2013 #69

Drivers "speed up to pass bicyclists for no good reason." JDPriestly May 2013 #74

When the bicycle is traveling the speed limit, passing is done for no good reason Gormy Cuss May 2013 #81

That is not in any way practical or realistic in the liberalhistorian May 2013 #68

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2013 #111

Some people who live in rural areas still manage to car pool and some think up solutions Luminous Animal May 2013 #21

Whining??? onpatrol98 May 2013 #102

I don't have a choice either. meaculpa2011 May 2013 #52

At least half the accidents here involve a spandex butt breaking the law himself. hobbit709 May 2013 #3

Same here. At a 4 way stop a bicycle did not stop and then the driver.... Logical May 2013 #6

Shhhh! liberalhistorian May 2013 #13

Hey, go ahead and post the numbers of deaths caused by pedestrians and cyclists CreekDog May 2013 #16

and you avoid zerosumgame0005 May 2013 #18

Where did I avoid any accountability for bikes? Nowhere. CreekDog May 2013 #19

It is precisely because cars are so dangerous that bicyclists need to be very careful. JDPriestly May 2013 #55

Sorry, but I've seen or heard of way too many stupid, reckless actions liberalhistorian May 2013 #23

Cars, bikes, and pedestrians all have equal rights of way on roads Luminous Animal May 2013 #26

Apparently, you're having some trouble reading. liberalhistorian May 2013 #66

A pedestrian or cyclist death does not automatically mean the car was at fault GiaGiovanni May 2013 #35

Study: Bikes Hit More Pedestrians Than Previously Thought GiaGiovanni May 2013 #37

you quote almost the whole article except this about cars: CreekDog May 2013 #48

I quote the first 4 paragraphs out of 6--4 paragraphs is the limit here for fair use GiaGiovanni May 2013 #72

Because the bicyclist should't have to stop if the car already is stopped. Luminous Animal May 2013 #24

You're saying that bikes should not have to follow traffic laws GiaGiovanni May 2013 #39

Bullshit! Three other cars waited their turn! This asshole.... Logical May 2013 #59

If all the people on bikes and pedestrians all got into cars CreekDog May 2013 #94

Stupid excuse for a biker to be an asshole! I ride and follow the... Logical May 2013 #97

BREAKING: STUDY FINDS MORE THAN 50% OF TX ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY CYCLISTS DisgustipatedinCA May 2013 #7

Study: Bikes Hit More Pedestrians Than Previously Thought GiaGiovanni May 2013 #40

Half the accidents? Is that a number based... LanternWaste May 2013 #67

Really? They heat/cool their homes with a solar system? REP May 2013 #8

I can't believe your hostility to pedestrians as well as the environmental benefits of not driving CreekDog May 2013 #15

Hostility = "use crosswalks" Okey dokey REP May 2013 #62

My OP described LEGAL CROSSINGS using crosswalks and walk signals, you ignored that CreekDog May 2013 #110

No, I didn't ignore it; I simply added to the subject. REP May 2013 #115

" Bikes (motor and pedal): try to stay out of a car's blindspot" Luminous Animal May 2013 #28

Generally speaking, avoid the back, passenger side corner of the car. GiaGiovanni May 2013 #41

Blindspot awareness is taught in the motorcycle licensing course REP May 2013 #64

Exactly. It's also taught in Driver's Ed for future motorists GiaGiovanni May 2013 #73

About #5: Brigid May 2013 #10

LOL! Thanks for that! smirkymonkey May 2013 #14

It bothers me to no end when I'm in a car and the driver complains the pedestrian is going too slow CreekDog May 2013 #17

Indeed. And even more so when it is raining. Luminous Animal May 2013 #30

As long as cyclists follow the traffic laws, they are greatly appreciated GiaGiovanni May 2013 #20

what about pedestrians? CreekDog May 2013 #25

You can't have your cake and eat it too, kid GiaGiovanni May 2013 #27

pedestrians who follow the laws are hit all the time CreekDog May 2013 #29

According to the NTSB, pedestrian crashes are actually down overall GiaGiovanni May 2013 #32

i'm asking you how i can safely cross a street CreekDog May 2013 #34

Actually, you asked about pedestrians in general and I answered your query. GiaGiovanni May 2013 #36

No, I asked you about a legal pedestrian crossing that is often dangerous CreekDog May 2013 #43

Post #29 asked about pedestrians in general; that was answered with an NTSB report GiaGiovanni May 2013 #76

If we build bicycle paths along the road, you should use them. tritsofme May 2013 #31

Sometimes those roadside bicycle paths Art_from_Ark May 2013 #33

Build paved paths and maintain them and cyclists will use them Gormy Cuss May 2013 #71

I find that is not always the case. tritsofme May 2013 #101

Have you ever walked or ridden on the path? Gormy Cuss May 2013 #107

what looks like a bike path to you may have walkers on it CreekDog May 2013 #108

It doesn't mean I have to like it tritsofme May 2013 #109

Ghost bikes. I frequently meet a friend in town for coffee... DreamGypsy May 2013 #38

"Here is a dead child. Don't you feel guilty now?" GiaGiovanni May 2013 #42

What was the poster "trumping"? I gathered he agreed with the OP Fumesucker May 2013 #50

The poster was using a common strategy of trumping logical argumentation with emotional manipulation GiaGiovanni May 2013 #82

Ah you're offended by the dead child -cause you don't want anything done about it CreekDog May 2013 #95

Actually, I don't like the misuse of dead children to score political points GiaGiovanni May 2013 #100

there is nothing Niceguy1 May 2013 #44

i didn't say there was anything wrong with being a solo driver CreekDog May 2013 #45

The subject of bicycles sure makes people say stupid things Fumesucker May 2013 #51

a head on collison Niceguy1 May 2013 #53

So you're saying as many are killed by bicycles as by cars? CreekDog May 2013 #96

just because something doesn't kill you Niceguy1 May 2013 #103

you're saying there are more injuries caused by bicycles as there are from cars? CreekDog May 2013 #104

no I am saying from my experience Niceguy1 May 2013 #105

A 200 lb bicycle, irresponsibly driven, can be more dangerous than a 4000 lb car driven well GiaGiovanni May 2013 #90

Force = mass * acceleration, and classical physics brooks no arguments. n/t DisgustipatedinCA May 2013 #113

Nonsense. Other properties like agility, visibility and the driver's reactions play a role in GiaGiovanni May 2013 #114

Sometimes there are people driving who don't give a rat's ass about the safety of others. auntAgonist May 2013 #46

How horrible. This is why I keep posting OP's on this topic. CreekDog May 2013 #49

I have no problem with these modes of transportation get the red out May 2013 #57

These kind of OPs bug the hell out of me upaloopa May 2013 #58

Thank you, THAT is what I was trying to say. liberalhistorian May 2013 #60

i only asked people to not be resentful and to consider their safety --my OP was not anti-car CreekDog May 2013 #63

Again, how does it feel? pintobean May 2013 #70

You said drivers should change their behavior. upaloopa May 2013 #77

I'm a driver and that's one reason I wrote the OP CreekDog May 2013 #79

We most likely all drive there are bad drivers and good drivers upaloopa May 2013 #80

I didn't offer instruction, just a caution. Second, I think intersections need to be redesigned CreekDog May 2013 #83

Ok maybe you agree with this upaloopa May 2013 #84

that's my point with the OP and with my comment on intersections, keeping cars and people apart CreekDog May 2013 #85

Ok my apologies upaloopa May 2013 #87

do you think ANY of the drivers that need to change think they are bad drivers? CreekDog May 2013 #88

you're offended at being asked to not be resentful of bicyclists and pedestrians? wow, really??? CreekDog May 2013 #61

Get a clue the OP says drivers need to change their ways upaloopa May 2013 #78

There is also a lack of responsibility on the part of some cyclists in this thread GiaGiovanni May 2013 #86

i keep asking you about pedestrians crossing legally and you keep saying "too bad" CreekDog May 2013 #89

Asked and answered 3 times, kid. Post #32, #36, & #76 GiaGiovanni May 2013 #92

Bike insurance? Mariana May 2013 #91

As more cyclists enter the roadway, the possibility of accidents will rise GiaGiovanni May 2013 #93

What a safety advocate you are. Only idea you had was bike insurance CreekDog May 2013 #98

Bike insurance is a responsible way to cycle GiaGiovanni May 2013 #99

I have no doubt the insurance industry Mariana May 2013 #112

Number 5 - YES on the disability part! Lunacee_2013 May 2013 #106

When did you start harboring this dislike toward people who are alone in cars? Honeycombe8 May 2013 #116