Pedestrian right-of-way.

[Arti]

I don't understand why so many drivers don't know this. When a pedestrian is crossing a side street, near the junction to another road, if a car wants to turn into that side street, it should wait until the pedestrian has finished crossing. Many times, when I've been on foot, I've had cars beeping because they have had to wait for me to cross. Are they thick? Do they think that it states in the Highway Code that a pedestrian must run across if a car wants to turn? Or that they should go back to where they started?

[Arti]

Short n sweet. Lol.

[hellywelly4]

I'm not sure you're right on this - I've just checked the
H.C. and couldn't find anything about this. I would have thought that it was up to the pedestrian to wait until the road was clear, otherwise they could perhaps be accused of jay-walking. Courtesy of course costs nothing, if it was me I would wait until the pedestrian had gone across, but I would be a bit niggled if they hadn't waited until the traffic had cleared.

[gingejbee]

Arti - they DO know, and they know about speed limits and the mobile-phone law etc, but they don't CARE - like a good number of drivers, these days.

[Davethedog]

You are correct, however you should also observe the Green Cross Code. So a little anticipation on your behalf rather than blind arrogance would also help the situation. Wouldn't it?

[Davethedog]

Helly Rule 170

[Berkshirelad]

Although "He had right of way" is probably not the best tjhing to engrave on a headstone.

Also, remember that the Highway Code is for guidance only. It is only based in law where it says must or must no. This is Rule 8. You will notice that traffic should give way, not must.

8. At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way

[ChuckFickens]

"I'm not sure you're right on this - I've just checked the
H.C."

Try checking again, look at rule 170

[Arti]

Helly: I mean a pedestrian walking across before any cars are intending to turn, but while they are in the process of walking, a car approaches wanting to turn.

[Berkshirelad]

Rule 170 also uses "should" rather than "must"

[bednobs]

agree with berkshirelad's first answer. There needs to be a bit of common sense on both sides - for example we all know pedestrians have ROW on zebrea crossings, but it makes sense for the pedestrian to actually look before he or she walks out.
I often think my dad would rather get run over to prove the point he was in the right rather than let a car that's going too fast to stop go past

[tiggerblue10]

I find this very annoying when I'm crossing the road, however I find it more annoying when drivers stop at zebra crossing when they can clearly see you standing there waiting to cross. This has happened to me many many times.

[bednobs]

you find it annoying when they stop for you rather than run you down???

[ChuckFickens]

I think tigger might have missed a "don't" out somewhere.

[tiggerblue10]

Hang on! That came out wrong. Should have said "when they DON'T stop".

[R1Geezer]

There is no such thing as "right of way" however the highway code does indeed say that motorists should give way to pedestrians crossing a road into which they are turning. Yes it's infuriating especially when they toot you for having the audacity to be half way across the road. This usuaully results in a large dent in their wing!

[Twenty20]

>There is no such thing as "right of way"


I can assure you there is.

[R1Geezer]

show me where is says "right of way" in the highway code? There is a "priority" channel in those traffic calming structures, a fairly recent thing, but in general driving the highway code only ever tells you when to give way.

[ChuckFickens]

It's splitting hairs really, but R1 is correct, the phrase "right of way" is not one used in the UK with regards to motoring, we use the phrase "has priority" instead.

[R1Geezer]

yes chuck but even that is rare only one case as fa as I can tell and that's recent.