Categories: uncategorized
Date: 06 February 2008 12:57:56
My wife phoned me half an hour ago to say that she had nearly been knocked down. She was already on a zebra crossing, when an oncoming car simply didn't stop, and she had to retreat to the kerb. Perhaps zebra crossings are peculiarly British, in which case some explanation may be required.
A zebra crossing is a line of black and white stripes across a road, with a flashing orange light (called a belisha beacon) at either end. If a pedestrian has stepped on to the crossing, then that pedestrian has right of way. Cars are supposed to stop to let the person cross.
But what if the driver of a car doesn't want to stop. Heavy metal beats flesh and bone any day. I am told that if I report a car for not stopping, then no notice will be taken unless I have witnesses. So if I am alone, and wanting to cross the road, then the zebra crossing might as well not be there.
It's a matter of taking your life in your hands whenever you want to cross. I have to step out into the road in order to assert my right of way. But if the car doesn't stop, I will be injured or killed. So I don't step on to the crossing. So it might as well not be there.