Pedestrian Right of Way

The "pedestrian right of way". It irritates me about as much as people who push all the buttons in the elevator. I don't mind stopping for you if you're already in a crosswalk at a designated crossing point. I don't mind stopping if you're walking through the parking lot and are already half-way across the lane. Heck, I don't even mind stopping to let you cross when you're not, as long as you wave thanks and show a little effort to move quickly.

What ticks me off is the amount of faith many pedestrians display in what has become an almost sacrosanct right of passage. I'm talking about the buffoon who is sauntering along bee-bopping to his or her iPod, sporting a major 'tude, and doesn't even bother to cast a glance in my direction as I'm waiting behind the wheel while they take their good 'ol sweet time. There's nearly always a certain kind of quiet arrogance in their demeanor that makes me want to express my sinful nature by stepping on the gas peddle. Sort of an assumption that once the foot leaves the curb the whole world comes to a stop and waits in breathless awe as they cross.

Just last week I was driving downtown for a voice-over job. And as I'm coming off the Fort Pitt Bridge straight onto the wide Blvd. of the Allies where I have a green light, not far ahead a guy steps out into the street. He doesn't just cross, he literally walks in the direction of traffic right smack up the middle of the lane. And the kicker is...he never once turned his head to see if anyone was coming. He just assumed that if they were they would stop, which just made me want to run him over (except for all the hassle that would cause me).

Now every state has different pedestrian laws, but generally they pretty much follow a certain compromise between walkers and drivers. When there is a crosswalk and you have the green light, the walker has the right. The driver has it everywhere else. Period. Common sense.

And if you are going to cross in front of me when I'm driving, and you're in perfect health...in other words you're not using a cane, a seeing eye dog, or have a pronounced limp...do me and other drivers a little common courtesy and at least lean forward a little to show you're putting some effort to get your ass out of the way. A wave and a smile of thanks that we didn't flatten you also goes a long way.