Topic ID 2489
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35314
quote:My Son's old School did take this issue on board. They took the image of the School very seriously. Maybe talk to the School.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35326
Tell the school, but they can't do alot if the children are out of school even if they are wearing uniform.
Reply ID 35330
What you need is a bigger, louder pedestrian dispersal system (otherwise known as air horns). You'd be surpised how high a meandering jaywalker can jump if given the right stimulation!
Reply ID 35337
quote:They jump higher if you creep up behind them - as close as possible - before a full blast on the air horn. I score 3 points for each.
Originally posted by shunt
What you need is a bigger, louder pedestrian dispersal system (otherwise known as air horns). You'd be surpised how high a meandering jaywalker can jump if given the right stimulation!
Reply ID 35370
"Jay Walking" what a dreadful Americanism that is
Reply ID 35403
quote:I know what you mean about the Simon Balle pupils because I've witnessed the same. I'm surprised at the Abel Smith kids though - suggest you contact the headmaster Richard Boulton as he certainly cares about the schools reputation and would not be impressed by the gestures you got.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35405
There is no such thing as jay-walking in this country
Reply ID 35408
quote:...because our roads were not built for cars.
Originally posted by jez_p
There is no such thing as jay-walking in this country
Reply ID 35414
quote:As you wish, but I think we got the gist of Fish Wives post regardless of the technically incorrect terminology.
Originally posted by jez_p
There is no such thing as jay-walking in this country
Reply ID 35416
Even the country lanes..... Don't you find that people on horses really spoil your line through a corner!
Reply ID 35421
quote:Just in case people have misunderstood my earlier ironical remarks…… I think this might be a case of road-rage. People are allowed to cross the road and it is your duty as a good driver to try to avoid them. If children stick their fingers up then – just perhaps – you have annoyed them and you are at fault. This is an excerpt from the highway code. 124: Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on. In particular Try to anticipate what pedestrians and cyclists might do. If pedestrians, particularly children, are looking the other way, they may step out into the road without seeing you. 125: Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards other road users. You should • be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake • not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey Perhaps you should just check your manners whilst driving.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35438
quote:I think we all know that stuff dreamer and most abide by it, but the original post was in criticism of pedestrians who do not do their part by taking reasonable care, loitering in a dangerous position for longer than is wise.
Originally posted by Dreamerquote:Just in case people have misunderstood my earlier ironical remarks…… I think this might be a case of road-rage. People are allowed to cross the road and it is your duty as a good driver to try to avoid them. If children stick their fingers up then – just perhaps – you have annoyed them and you are at fault. This is an excerpt from the highway code. 124: Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on. In particular Try to anticipate what pedestrians and cyclists might do. If pedestrians, particularly children, are looking the other way, they may step out into the road without seeing you. 125: Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards other road users. You should • be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake • not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey Perhaps you should just check your manners whilst driving.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35447
quote:I certainly do. All those fields to play on and the poor horses are made to walk on roads. I wonder what would be the result if I took my DB5 onto a ménage for a spin? Good post Dreamer,totally agree,
Originally posted by Dreamer
Even the country lanes..... Don't you find that people on horses really spoil your line through a corner!
Reply ID 35450
James, do you understand the concept of irony?
Reply ID 35451
Absolutely. Do you understand the concept of road tax, road safety and children walking freely into the road? (Not to mention horses!!) Take a trip down Hagsdell Road at 8.30am. The children find it their right to walk anywhere within the road.
Reply ID 35453
Dreamer, main roads are built for adults to drive cars, lorries and coaches. They are not built for children to walk across unless they have right of way.
Reply ID 35454
quote:No comment!
Originally posted by James007
Dreamer, main roads are built for adults to drive cars, lorries and coaches. They are not built for children to walk across unless they have right of way.
Reply ID 35455
Only 2 days ago, at exactly the same crossing, there were 2 adults, maybe 3 toddlers and a pushchair, I was turning right at the Tesco lights towards the roundabout, a 2 year old (unsupervised) very nearly walked in front of my car - why the parent / carer was not holding that childs hand I will never know. Luckily I was driving slow and had my wits about me.
Reply ID 35583
quote:I used the term 'Jay Walking' as I felt that "Having no regard whatsoever for my own safety, or for the safety of other road users, including drivers" was a bit of a mouthful. I have annoyed the children? I should check my manners? How so? By making them aware that they were about to drift into the front of my car despite my having seen them and had stopped? How dare I seek to keep them and myself safe! This was not road rage at all and I take exception at the suggestion. Roads are for cars and pavements are for pedestrians, and as drivers and pedestrians, we have a duty to behave responsibly. I have never considered myself to have a problem with road rage and would consider it below my intelligence and literacy to rant and rave at ANYONE be they on foot or in a car. I do, however, find it offensively rude that anyone of any age and most especially children should seek to rant at me because they have decided to put themselves at risk in the belief that their behaviour can be blamed on me or anyone other driver. Perhaps their parents could do with teaching them a bit of road safety awareness instead of relying on everyone else to be on the look out for their children. Failing that, then perhaps said parents should continue to escort their children to school. I am always aware that there is an odds-on possiblity that a pedestrian will decide to walk/jump/hurl themselves into the road as I turn into it. I do, however, find it inconvievable that a mother should not only walk out in front of a car, but should then continue to walk in the road into the oncoming traffic! Still, no doubt her children will copy her behaviour as did the darling little dears from Abel Smith who were probably emulating their parents when they started swearing at me and giving me the finger!
Originally posted by Dreamerquote:Just in case people have misunderstood my earlier ironical remarks…… I think this might be a case of road-rage. People are allowed to cross the road and it is your duty as a good driver to try to avoid them. If children stick their fingers up then – just perhaps – you have annoyed them and you are at fault. This is an excerpt from the highway code. 124: Adapt your driving to the appropriate type and condition of road you are on. In particular Try to anticipate what pedestrians and cyclists might do. If pedestrians, particularly children, are looking the other way, they may step out into the road without seeing you. 125: Be considerate. Be careful of and considerate towards other road users. You should • be patient; remember that anyone can make a mistake • not allow yourself to become agitated or involved if someone is behaving badly on the road. This will only make the situation worse. Pull over, calm down and, when you feel relaxed, continue your journey Perhaps you should just check your manners whilst driving.
Originally posted by Fish Wife
I am at a loss to understand the behaviour of some parents, teenagers and young children when crossing the road (Old London Road) from The Rotunda Building to Stag House to get to the subway. On quite a few occasions in the past few weeks I have had to make my presence known when driving up here to: Mothers pushing buggies with attached Abel Smith school children in tow up the middle of the road. What on earth did the woman think she was teaching her kids? Three little kids round about the age of 9 (Abel Smith again) who gave me the finger and swore at me (!) for telling them to look before hurling themselves off the kerb and into the traffic. Today 2 Simon Balle kids drifted off the pavement in front of the car and looked at me as if I had no right to be on the road at all, and they had every right to jay walk with no concern for their own safety or anyone else's. Perhaps I should contact the schools in question and advise them that some of their pupils are putting themselves at risk of injury and also not doing the schools' reputations a great deal of good by their behaviour, language and reaction whilst in school uniform.
Reply ID 35585
quote:For once 007, I most wholeheartedly agree with you.
Originally posted by James007
Absolutely. Do you understand the concept of road tax, road safety and children walking freely into the road? (Not to mention horses!!) Take a trip down Hagsdell Road at 8.30am. The children find it their right to walk anywhere within the road.
Reply ID 35769
Irrespective of what the Highway Code says and I for one pride myself on adhering to it as much as is possible, there is nothing more worrying than being a driver experiencing a pedestrian stepping carelessly and without prior observation of the traffic onto a road directly in front of the car. It isn't any less of an issue if the car is driving slowly even at walking pace, it's still a shock. Pedestrians often have an attitude especially at zebra crossings that they are protected by some invisible force and that traffic will stop in time as they step out. Sometimes they tempt fate far more than they realize. ("realize" spelt in "American" as befits the topic: Jaywalking!)