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Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Yield to Pedestrians

"STATE LAW - ALL VEHICLES MUST YIELD TO PEDESTRIANS"

Is that a good idea?

State law here, as most elsewhere I believe, is that automobiles must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. At first thought, that sounds logical in that it makes the driver exercise caution. However, shouldn't the honus of caution be on the pedestrian? You know, the one that stands to suffer the most damage if there is a collision? Is it a good idea that pedestrians assume cars will stop because it's a state law and there are lines and a dopey cone in the middle of the road? Idiots may then indiscriminately walk out into the road because they're at a crosswalk thereby setting themselves up for a bodily yard sale because the driver is on the cell phone, eating fried chicken, stirring a Starbucks and reprogramming his IPod.

Maritime law requres that smaller ships yield to larger ones, right? While no doubt based mostly on maneuverability it is also sound logic since the smaller ship stands to suffer more damage in a collision. Same goes for man vs. Jeep.


4 kind commenters:

Ron Simpson said...

law is one thing. smart people excercising appropriate caution is another. The laws are in place because of insurance liability and fault. If you hit someone with your car and you are at fault, your insurance pays for the medical bills. smart people avoid fighting with automobiles. people lose that fight everytime.

NouveauBlogger said...

Right Ron...and if you hit a pedestrian with your car you will be found at fault in a civil litigation suit nearly every time too. Regardless of how stupid the pedestrian was.

Katie said...

mmmmm... fried chicken and starbucks! I know what I'm having for dinner now! :)

I agree with you and Ron. People just need to be smart and even though it is a law a driver shouldn't pay for stupid people jay walking.

NouveauBlogger said...

Right Katie....you should see people here...they don't even look because they assume the cars will stop.