Most drivers ignore the pedestrian crossing sign

Yep, we have a lot of that around here as well. And as someone who is the pedestrian a lot of the time, more often than the person behind the wheel, there are just going to be a lot of times where it just seems like I am risking precious life and limb just crossing that street in an attempt to get somewhere. There have been many near misses. Here is the thing, I shouldn't have to be the one to watch out for people, even though it is really smart to do so anyway. And funnily enough one time, it was a cop who did this. Now the cop was not even really chasing anyone. He was just driving down the street without any regard. I guess he was late to getting his early morning donuts or something. Still there is an alarming amount of people who don't stop, just keep going. Then again, I think that some of the worst drivers in the world reside where I live and there's really a lot of the reason why I do walk. Less chance of getting murdered by some moron. Granted there's still a chance.

Well I guess you haven't come to New York City lately. If you think that is bad, yo have to see it here. No car stops for no one here, believe me. When the light changes, they floor the cars and go. People don't have a chance in hell to cross. And when they have the crossing sign, they have limited time to get to the other side. It is horrible here where I am when it comes to traffic.

That is really sad that people choose to ignore the signs of the pedestrian cross walk. Where I am from, whenever there is a high traffic and people need to cross. The city will just wind up building an electric crossing signs and traffic lights. Then it would be more safer for the pedestrian and the drivers on the road.

Hi one rules of the road being a responsible and a good driver is, Discipline. Disciplined and good driver should yield the right way to pedestrian at crosswalk. It means if the driver sees the sign Pedestrian Crossing, the drivers should slowdown to give way to pedestrian and drivers should not stop right on the pedestrian marks, drivers stop before or after the marking in order not to block those pedestrian who is crossing. If only they follow strictly rules of the roads there might be no problems as such.

OMG! Are you saying that things that held us in awe when we were in US cities twice have changed for worse? There is no regard for pedestrians in the cities in most developing countries. In fact, those on vehicles display contempt for pedestrians here in India and instead of slowing down and letting pedestrians safe passage, scare them with stepping harder on the accelerator.I have heard that its the same in other cities like Columbia too. But back in 2003/2004, when we visited several cities in US, particularly Washington D.C, we had an overwhelming experience: if a car owner saw us trying to cross on the dege of the crossing, he would slow down nay stop until we crossed over. So much so we were initially confused why the car was not passing! Later when we saw many signboards proclaiming pedestrians get the first right, we were full of admiration for the concern & discipline. If I can recollect, it was not just in D.C but in other cities too. Except, may be in NYC. Has this been so in your city all along or is it in recent times? It is understandable in the context of developing countries with everything overcrowded and every one in eternal hurry. That such a thing is setting in in the more organized West is unpleasant news.

In my country, drivers stop only if there is a red light. In any other case with pedestrian signs without a traffic light the pedestrians stop and they usually wait for a kind driver to let them pass. Generally they drive fast and they don't stop especially if the pedestrian sign is in roads with a lot of traffic. I have been to cities in Europe where drivers immediately stop for pedestrians to pass, at the moment that they step their foot on the road. When it happened to me for the first time, I found it extremely kind and I thanked the driver! :P

i think some does, some respect the sign. Others may have not noticed it especially if they are new in the road.

I think its a law around here that if there is a pedestrian crossing like a blinking light with it and you dont stop you can get a ticket. One time my brakes broke right before a pedestrian crossing. The people were just walking expecting me to stop. They luckily stopped in time. I was terrified I was going to hit them. I figured out about 100 feet past there to throw my ebrake on before I rear ended a car in front of me. My daughter was in the back I was so scared. I had to have some guys on the street drive my car down the road to a service station. If I see someone wanting to cross the road I usually will slow down and stop and let them cross if they are at a cross walk. I hate when I am the one trying to cross the street and the traffic is crazy and no one lets me go.

Some people have ego they though police man cant catch us because they have lots of money power but the thing is we much pay our duty honestly

there are some drivers here in the philippines that keep on speeding even when approaching to pedestrian lanes.. too bad...

In our place this will not happen because behind the signals our police will be their to stop this kind on activities immediately.I drivers will be immediately punished by offering penalty.

I notice the same over here. You have to stop if a pedestrian wants to cross the road but nobody seems to care. If I stop I have an angry driver behind me. If I am walking or on bike cardrivers also don't care, they even don't look to the left and right. I think this is a government problem. The police have to check this so this behaviour will change again. In places in Germany where I lived it was totally different. Also in Hungary people stop, although at (sand)roads where there is no bike road and also pedestrians are walking at the same road they drive like idiots. In Africa you have no right at all as a pedestrian. They even don't slow down a few km's or steer a bit to the left. So as a pedestrian (or on your bike) you have to jump (drive) into the bushes. Which, btw, doesn't mean that if you drive over someone it's not your fault.

I have to cross the same street every weekday in order to get to my classes, and I'm constantly almost hit by impatient drivers all the time. There's a pedestrian crossing sign there, but most drivers are in such a hurry that they just speech past it. I've seen a few close calls where people have almost been run over. Manslaughter is a pretty serious charge, so I hope these drivers realize what they're doing soon.

That is true. I sometimes find it hard to cross the busy street of Metro Manila even with the pedestrian lane. THose drivers shold be reprimaned and if continue with their ofenses should be billed for their action. Those lane are not put there to be ignored, they are there to help commuters and normal people alike to access the road and cross safely. I just wish that we have enough traffic enforcers to enforce the law and to teach these reckless drivers their lesson.