Pedestrian Crossings in Ann Arbor

[piratef2004]

I live in a town outside Pittsburgh that claims that it is blind friendly. However tell that to the drivers. My girlfriend is blind and see almost got hit crossing the street. The driver lay on the horn and scream some insensitive obscenity at her, and drove off in front of her. I'm sorry but there are laws that state that pedestrian have the right of way at crosswalk.

[creefer]

One of the effective methods to help alert drivers to pedestrians is the use of an in-street pedestrian sign. They are fairly inexpensive and would be very helpful in some of these applications (especially where there are center islands.)

[nak807]

As a laker, I agree. It's sick how automobiles get away with this kinda thing.

[TheBestTamara]

I live in Cali and pedestrians have the right of way. It is terrifying watching this video. (but even in Cali it can be hard to cross the street -- WITh the right of way!)

[bohemianrobot77]

The pedestrian crossing island I interact with most on Ellsworth Road has horrible signage regarding yielding for pedestrians. The sign can't be more than one foot long and a few inches wide. It's impossible to read the sign while traveling the posted speed limit of 45 mph until you're literally at the crosswalk.

[gcelec]

My wife stopped for a pedestrian on Huron the other week and the cars behind honked at her!

[thechickchannel]

OMG I experience this EVERYDAY and it drives me CRAZY how rude and inconsiderate drivers are!!!!!! Please get in touch with me I would love to do a show on this topic on my A2 public access tv show: "ypsigirl"

[Rahavin1]

I should make a vid of Bangkok. I told my exgf about 'right of way' and she laughed. Ive see so many people hit by cars... They just keep going if your right in front.

[noisepuppet]

@Rahavin1 What a nightmare. Most big world capitals are worse for peds than US cities. Cairo might give Bangkok a run for its money.

[Debilitator47]

I live and work in Ann Arbor as a cab driver. I stop for pedestrians, where/as I can, safety permitting. Not all drivers, cab or otherwise, do so.

I will say that pedestrians helped to create this 'don't stop unless forced to' attitude, by constant jaywalking (no enforcement of ordinance by police reinforces this behavior). I can't count how many times someone has walked onto the street from between parked cars, I've locked up the breaks to not mangle them, and then they flip me off. >_<

[diznave1919]

our biggest enemy is not Al-Queda, it is our drivers

[Dunkleosteus3691]

Thanks for showing this!  Clearly - there are morons driving 1000s of pounds of deadly instrument who need to learn what "braking" means.

Not funny: training for Concealed Pistol License includes emphasis on the danger of "irrevocable application of deadly force." Yet nothing like that is ever taught to applicants for driver licenses.

[mgrocoff]

Responding to Mollykyb1 - you are correct that kids and cars don't know what to do. That's why this new ordinance is so important. Pedestrians shouldn't have to negotiate with tons of rolling steel. When a car yields and comes to a stop without forcing the pedestrian to step in front of them, it takes away the visceral sense of danger. It's easy to educate a child not to step into the crosswalk until the driver stops for them. This ordinance will create the culture we need.

[mollykyb1]

I hate standing on those little islands in the middle of the road with my children as cars whiz by on both sides of us--especially since you regularly see the signs that a car ran over the island and knocked down the signs! Education about the new ordinance will be key. I think the highest level of danger, especially for children who simply developmentally lack good judgment, comes during the transition to a new ordinance--when kids and cars are just not sure what one another about to do.

[GargoyleA2]

I find it interesting that you chose a crosswalk that was under construction, with no painted lines indicating where the crosswalk is for motorists . This isn't a valid example.

[ivahollis]

I grew up in Portland and have lived in Ann Arbor for ten years. Driving, biking and walking in Ann Arbor are often trying experiences. The group-think doesn't seem to extend beyond the short-term needs of the individual.

[peterhoneyman]

nothing will change unless and until traffic enforcement begins handing out tickets

[weesner44]

@peterhoneyman... it probably won't change then either... unfortunately someone probably has to get hurt first.

[jfreische]

Classic Ann Arbor: we think of ourselves as a commuter-friendly town. Other people think of us as commuter-friendly, too. I often hear non-locals compare us to Portland, OR. This video is an important dose of reality--a reminder about how far we have to go. So let's do it!