Comments on: Chicago Cracks Down on Drivers Who Threaten Pedestrians

By: Erickca

Erickca — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 19:14:45 +0000

Too bad Seattle couldn't follow the same path as Chicago. See the following article about pedestrians staging a crosswalk action in their neighborhood:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/295744_feet13.html

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:30:16 +0000

It's like that in the Journal Square area of Jersey City, too. More than once, drivers have beeped at me while turning while I was walking in the crosswalk, with the Walk light. They are ignorant of the fact that pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, and no doubt ignorant of just about everything else.

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 23:42:34 +0000

Running reds is commonplace among motorists in NYC (another reason not to criticize bicyclists too harshly when they do so, along with the fact that bicyclists almost never injure anyone when they do). I have filmed three green-yellow-red sequences at an intersection in front of an Upper West Side school every morning for about a month. Every single morning, at least one time out of three, and usually two or three times out of three, a driver runs the red.

The clip linked below is typical. Watch the gold Toyota (plate ATE-6114) enter the intersection after the light is red, and after the pedestrian in the black jacket at the other side of the intersection has already entered the crosswalk. The pedestrian isn't even watching the light but is watching the car, because he knows that the flow of traffic is governed not by the traffic laws or traffic devices, but by what drivers decide to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNvWZWgQ2_4

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:11:25 +0000

Chicagoist has some funny commenters on this. "You'd be amazed at the number of Chicago natives I've met who are firmly convinced that bikes, by law, are supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk."

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:10:38 +0000

Driving behavior is certainly terrible in New York, and along with it is (I think) a general lack of understanding of the true stakes of the game. Why run a red light (especially on 3rd Ave or another major corridor w/ timed lights) when you will NEVER catch the next light ahead? Will those 10 seconds really make your day? Are they worth the risk that you might hit and kill another person?

There is also a lack of understanding of and enforcement of the rules--everything from the crosswalk and stop bar to running lights.

An education (public service) campaign is in order, and I think this Chicago program is a great model. In addition, the campaign could also ask cyclists to look out for peds at intersections and not ride on the sidewalk, and tell peds to cross at intersections and wait for lights. Cheating death, whether in a car or a bike or on foot--is not worth the time value of getting there faster.

By: ianqui

ianqui — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:03:48 +0000

I am constantly amazed at the quick action Chicago has been taking regarding pedestrian and other related issues. From green roofs to bike lanes and now to this, Chicago has this amazing "do it now" attitude that I just really wish we could see here. To be honest, it makes me kind of sad to keep seeing these "Look at what Chicago has done!" posts in the sustainable blogosphere. New York has barely done anything in the past few years that I can point to and say "Look at this great change that's totally improved our lives!" But if I'm wrong about this, I'll look forward to some examples from other commenters.

By: P

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:03:25 +0000

I don't know Brent- I'm impressed that one letter led to an actual change- albeit temporary.

By: brent

brent — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:56:36 +0000

Chicago has a long way to go before catching up to NYC in street vibrancy. This is a major step in the right direction.
I once sent a lengthy letter to mayor Bloomberg on this very topic- pedestrian safety and enforcement against reckless drivers. I was later contacted by a police officer in my neighborhood precinct who said the letter had been forwarded to him. He asked if there were any specific intersections in the neighborhood I was concerned about. I said it was more of an overall concern but decided to tell him about a school on my block where motorists habitually blow through a stop sign intersection and intimidate pedestrians. The next day there was a crossing guard there. She has not returned since. I do not write letters to Bloom anymore and have become more of an SUV yeller like Jason.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:26:43 +0000

This is amazing! Last night I saw a typical scene, just one block from last week's pedestrian death on Henry Street. A delivery guy was walking in the crosswalk, with the green light. A giant SUV comes ripping around the corner and slams on his breaks just before hitting the pedestrian. Then, the driver started beeping at the pedestrian (who had the right of way)! The 6 or so people on the street (including myself) all started yelling at the SUV. Yet, he gets away with this kind of driving - a total menace to society. Where is the sting operation when you need one?

By: P

Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:25:04 +0000

It's great that Chicago is implementing changes in street design along with the enforcement of traffic laws but I'm a little skeptical about the use of 'undercover pedestrians'.