I know that obviously when there's a crossing light, the pedestrian should use it. I always do. What I'm talking about are those smaller streets like in between blocks. I live in a busy area so the traffic is pretty much constant. Every time I go to cross them, I look to make sure the approaching car sees me and isn't going too fast. Then I go ahead and cross. But when I do this, they HONK at me like I was supposed to wait for them. If I waited for there to be 0 cars in the proximity I would never reach my destination in time! I've tried signaling to them to stop so I can go but they usually just ignore me and keep going. They basically refuse to stop unless I'm already crossing the street.

Then there's the flip side, if I stand there to see if they are stopping for me and I DON'T go, they get impatient and honk at me. Come to think of it, this also happens at the crossing light with the turning cars too. It feels like I just can't win! So am I right that once they've seen me they should be the one to stop, not the other way around? It angers me so much that because I'm walking, where I have to be is less important and I'm always in the wrong, no matter what.

[Artchic528]

If you're crossing at a crosswalk when the light says to walk, then you as the pedestrian always have the right of way. However, if you're jaywalking, as in crossing in the middle of the busy street, it's not only illegal and can be subject to a fine if caught, but dangerous as well as the drivers might not see you and slow down in time.

I'd say the cars have the right of way here, mostly because there's no crosswalk.

Originally Posted by Artchic528

If you're crossing at a crosswalk when the light says to walk, then you as the pedestrian always have the right of way. However, if you're jaywalking, as in crossing in the middle of the busy street, it's not only illegal and can be subject to a fine if caught, but dangerous as well as the drivers might not see you and slow down in time.

I'd say the cars have the right of way here, mostly because there's no crosswalk.

Well yeah, I always use the crosswalk when it's available. I just wonder how I'm supposed to get anywhere when the cars just refuse to stop(at the small streets in between blocks).

[Blossomx]

The driver has the right-of-way if there is no light signaling and crosswalk for you to cross then it's your responsibility to have regard for traffic, it's jaywalking.

So if I wasn't exactly clear on what I meant..now my question is, how am I supposed to cross this type of street without jaywalking? (where I live has more traffic than the photo, but it's the best one I could find)

[Blossomx]

Jeez idk. You have to be very careful I guess!

Sorry for sounding annoying, I just feel like if that's the case they need to put a crosswalk on every street. I would like there to be a way for me to be able to get to the store without being honked at.

[VernonJenkins]

It's understandable that you want to get to where you're going, but so do they... They have no idea where you're going or how important it is,just like you don't know where they're going or how important it is to them.

Originally Posted by VernonJenkins

It's understandable that you want to get to where you're going, but so do they... They have no idea where you're going or how important it is,just like you don't know where they're going or how important it is to them.

The difference to me is, there's usually one of me and tons of them. They would have to stop for 5 seconds for me to run across but for every single car to go I'd be standing there for an hour. That's why I think the law needs to change. So another question would be...why are cars considered superior to people walking?

[VernonJenkins]

There's usually stop signs on those type of streets, no? Which would mean that you have the right-away.

[(JD)]

The pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way.

This can get you run over or a ticket, but the faster, stronger vehicle must give way to the lesser, weaker one.

Even if you cross as a jaywalker, you have the right of way (I have no right to run over you, in other words.) You're breaking the law, but I would be breaking the law if I run over you.

At any intersection, if there are pedestrian lights then you should wait for them (not that it makes crossing any safer btw, with today's drivers!) But even if you don't wait, you still have the right of way. You might get run over, cause another to have an accident, get a ticket, not be able to sue the driver, etc...but as I said the pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way.

Originally Posted by VernonJenkins

There's usually stop signs on those type of streets, no? Which would mean that you have the right-away.

Some of them. The particular one by the grocery store, no.

I'm sorry if I sound defensive or argumentive. I'm just frustrated with the situation.

[Blossomx]

That's a myth. MYTH:Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. REALITY: No, not always. Legally, pedestrians have the right-of-way at controlled intersections and in marked crosswalks; but the law also states that "no pedestrian shall unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk."

[VernonJenkins]

Originally Posted by iPhone

Some of them. The particular one by the grocery store, no.

I'm sorry if I sound defensive or argumentive. I'm just frustrated with the situation.

You didn't.

There should be a stop sign there.

Originally Posted by (JD)

The pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way.

This can get you run over or a ticket, but the faster, stronger vehicle must give way to the lesser, weaker one.

Even if you cross as a jaywalker, you have the right of way (I have no right to run over you, in other words.) You're breaking the law, but I would be breaking the law if I run over you.

At any intersection, if there are pedestrian lights then you should wait for them (not that it makes crossing any safer btw, with today's drivers!) But even if you don't wait, you still have the right of way. You might get run over, cause another to have an accident, get a ticket, not be able to sue the driver, etc...but as I said the pedestrian ALWAYS has the right of way.

I guess if this is the case they still have the right to honk at me lol. It's just that I sometimes yell something like, "I had the right of way you know!"

Originally Posted by Blossomx

"no pedestrian shall unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk."

Wouldn't that be like if I was stalling in the middle of the street though? Crossing is kinda necessary...

[VernonJenkins]

As a driver, I would understand your position.

[(JD)]

Ok well in the United States it's illegal to run over people. DC could very possibly have different laws. hahaha

[(JD)]

Originally Posted by iPhone

Wouldn't that be like if I was stalling in the middle of the street though? Crossing is kinda necessary...

WHAT? You can't fly!?

Originally Posted by (JD)

WHAT? You can't fly!?

I sure wish! But if I'm too anxious to drive I'd be probably be too anxious to fly lol

[Blossomx]

Actually in DC you're right lol..
D.C. Law 19-307 rewrote (a), which read: “When official traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall stop and give the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.”
The law changed in 2013 here.

[(JD)]

Ok. It could have been semantics as well... because while legally the pedestrian should not have the right of way, legally the driver must give them that right of way and not run over them.

Only in 2013 eh? hahahaha

I might try and contact the city or whoever to see if they can put up stop or yield signs in these areas. At least to eliminate the argument between me and the drivers. Like I said, I don't understand why it's such a problem to stop for 5 seconds so I can run across. They stop way longer at the lights.

[(JD)]

It's a "ME" generation problem... few can respect others.

Sounds like a good idea, and that's they way it should work. Government should rely upon the citizenry to let them know the issues...as government should not be everywhere doing everything without us!

[healingme4me]

I'm under the impression, here, is that the pedestrian has the right of way, at a non lit intersection. Gosh, this morning, I stopped with noone behind me for two elderly gentlemen making their way back from the grocery store to their low income housing. It's a rather slow going stretch as is and this got me thinking to recommend a crosswalk, right there, because of them and others that I've done this for and witnessed in the past other motorists extending the same courtesy.
It's courtesy to show consideration for others, plain and simple.