I am also a New Yorker and have been living in London for about 2 years and London appears to less sensitive to pedestrians than NY. The crosswalks do not allow for enough time to cross the street, there are partitions and bars that restrict the area where pedestrians can cross, causing congestion, and the bicycle path is non-existent. There are also areas of London where there is not a sidewalk at all, completely catering to an automobile-centric environment.

To me, the London drive does not respect the pedestrian and perhaps the city should focus on policy that focuses on the pedestrian and teaching the driver that they belong on the streets as much as the automobile.

kai didn't quite get it right by law pedestrians have right of way at all times. although cyclists sometimes ignore that......

"putting themselves into harm's way rather than placing the responsibility on the driver not to hit them when they step out into the street"
Is stepping into the street in front of turning cars, with a walk sign, and a crosswalk, really so bad? If nothing else, I'm for changing the laws (and getting some ped-only time) as you suggest just so I can stop defending against this dumb/distracted/law-abiding pedestrian stereotype.

As someone who grew up in New York and has been living in London for the past 8 years, I would have assumed that pedestrians in NY were safer.

This is because autos have the right of way here in London. If a car is coming, people get out of the way -- and to an American this seems more dangerous.

However, given the statistics I wonder if people in London have to be more aware of putting themselves into harm's way rather than placing the responsibility on the driver not to hit them when they step out into the street.