I was shocked the first time I went to a country that allowed this. What is the point of having a red light if it doesn’t mean stop? As a pedestrian, it seems ridiculous and dangerous.
I am an American, too. I care about pedestrians. A right turn on red is a perfectly safe maneuver when done properly. The problem presents with one or more of inattentive drivers, inattentive pedestrians, inattentive cyclists (believe it or not, all 3 exist, probably in equal proportion). I’m fairly certain the “actively trying to kill pedestrians because I don’t care” attitude is a pretty small minority, even for Americans.
I’ve had drivers honk at me for crossing the street after narrowly swiping me on a fast right turn… when I had the crossing signal. Drivers are definitely assholes towards pedestrians, and this attitude has prevailed even more so after the pandemic, when people seem to have lost their cooperation skills.
I’ve had the same experience with crossing signals as a pedestrian. And pedestrians crossing dangerously illegally yell at me for driving normally. You can think what you like, but if your assertion were true, pedestrian deaths would be much higher. I don’t think it has anything to do with the pandemic; I’d bet it’s more attributed to tech. But again, think what you like.
That’s precisely my point, in the UK red is stop. That’s it, just stop, no going under any circumstances. If I see a car going through a red light then they are breaking the law, so it’s pretty surprising to see it happen.
The problem is they have to accept they have no right of way, and need to check far in both directions, making it potentially dangerous.
As always, the BEST solution is to just get the pedestrians and cyclists away from the cars with better design, but that isn’t always practical.
Unfortunately as a pedestrian although you may have the right of way, that doesn’t really matter. Your neighbor is a multi thousand pound metal sled. Never normalize bring near such a machine. I think of it line standing next to a running wood chipper… I’d always be very cautious near that, why not moving cars.
I was shocked the first time I went to a country that allowed this. What is the point of having a red light if it doesn’t mean stop? As a pedestrian, it seems ridiculous and dangerous.
TBF you are supposed to stop first
Of course, it’s because countries that allow this don’t care about pedestrians.
Am an American, can confirm that’s the attitude. It’s a real shame
I am an American, too. I care about pedestrians. A right turn on red is a perfectly safe maneuver when done properly. The problem presents with one or more of inattentive drivers, inattentive pedestrians, inattentive cyclists (believe it or not, all 3 exist, probably in equal proportion). I’m fairly certain the “actively trying to kill pedestrians because I don’t care” attitude is a pretty small minority, even for Americans.
But, bruh, America bad amirite lmfaorofllol
I’ve had drivers honk at me for crossing the street after narrowly swiping me on a fast right turn… when I had the crossing signal. Drivers are definitely assholes towards pedestrians, and this attitude has prevailed even more so after the pandemic, when people seem to have lost their cooperation skills.
I’ve had the same experience with crossing signals as a pedestrian. And pedestrians crossing dangerously illegally yell at me for driving normally. You can think what you like, but if your assertion were true, pedestrian deaths would be much higher. I don’t think it has anything to do with the pandemic; I’d bet it’s more attributed to tech. But again, think what you like.
@christophski
@Moonrise2473
Except, it does mean stop—and then proceed when safe…
That’s precisely my point, in the UK red is stop. That’s it, just stop, no going under any circumstances. If I see a car going through a red light then they are breaking the law, so it’s pretty surprising to see it happen.
Exactly. Red means unsafe, green means safe.
The driver is legally supposed to stop, and look.
The problem is they have to accept they have no right of way, and need to check far in both directions, making it potentially dangerous.
As always, the BEST solution is to just get the pedestrians and cyclists away from the cars with better design, but that isn’t always practical.
Unfortunately as a pedestrian although you may have the right of way, that doesn’t really matter. Your neighbor is a multi thousand pound metal sled. Never normalize bring near such a machine. I think of it line standing next to a running wood chipper… I’d always be very cautious near that, why not moving cars.