Forum Topic

Lethal weapon

I crossed Northfields Acenue today with my ten year old at the zebra crossing close to Dudley Gardens. A car had stopped at the zebra to let us cross, but had pulled out slightly as he was intending to turn right after the crossing. We were three quarters the way across the road when a car overtook the stationery car on the inside at about 20 mph. No doubt he had not seen us, and had not noticed that the car in front had stopped due to the zebra crossing. It's about time more car drivers realised they are driving lethal weapons.

Simon Measures ● 6845d7 Comments

It is illegal to overtake on a zebra crossing so surely this means on both sides.  I don't like the amount of criminalising that is going on but I also don't like the complete and utter disregard that many people have for the safety and welfare of other people. We want our children to cross safely using the crossings. Then when we do try and teach them these things this happens.  I also think we need many of our crossings to be better lit and better painted and perhaps raised.  Some are also badly positioned.I object to the policy of waiting for a certain number of accidents or even worse deaths before any changes are made. We have preventative medicine so let's have more forethought in planning and maintaining crossings and hear more from people like yourself when things aren't right so that attention is paid to the problems.I was nearly run down by a speeding cyclist overtaking at the lights at the crossing outside Perceval House recently. What has happened? Too many rules?

Philippa Bond ● 6845d

Rules are a substitute for commonsense.I agree about proactive schemes for improving road safety, or anything else for that matter.The real problem with rules is their enforcement. For traffic I would have every square metre of road under surveillance, and get rid of those girly fines of £40, £60, and so on. Minimum fines of £250, no discount, nonpayment - car crushed, criminal conviction, and costs/fine recovered, else time at Norfolk Hydro.

Alan Brainsby ● 6844d

Couldn't agree more Alan. I'd flog 'em as well and put 'em in stocks outside Northfield station, where we could pelt 'em with rotten cabbages and eggs!  :-(

Gerry Tan ● 6844d

A bit of "Strip 'em, whip 'em, rip 'em" eh! :)

Alan Brainsby ● 6844d

Quote; I was nearly run down by a speeding cyclist overtaking at the lights at the crossing outside Perceval House recently. What has happened? Too many rules?nope, just 25 years of selfishness and a breakdown in respect for the rights of others. And a few blind eyes being turned to infringments when the rules are broken.What we need is a few months of a proper crack down on all road users who infringe the rules.  And a few new rules to disuade pedestrians from jumping out into the traffic when they can't be arsed to wait 30 seconds for their light to turn green.

Gavin Gilbert ● 6844d

Response to :- " I also don't like the complete and utter disregard that many people have for the safety and welfare of other people."      zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz    And which is another effect of immigration / multi-culturalism. So many do not have licences and certainly not effective insurance, if they have any at all. 20% of London's cars are uninsured , placing us all at risk either through  inexperienced driving and  / or no compensation .At one time it was unheard of for a miscreant driver not to stop, now it is the norm. Ask yourself why that should be.

Tony Price ● 6843d

No - it is just selfishness. It is putting your own needs and welfare first without considering anyone else or for the consequences for anyone else.  It more likely comes from trying to do everything, achieve everything and more - fast, now - and not allowing adequate time to do anything well.Oh btw in my case.  The lights had changed, the cars had stopped and the cyclist just whizzed by through what must have been a red light as the crossing light had changed.This is not the first time I have seen this.  I saw it with a motorcyclist.  Fixated by the lights and a chance to overtake there before they changed he whizzed past stationary traffic not noticing a car slowly pulling out through the traffic well ahead of him. It was a terrible thump and he flew off the bike and through the air.  Luckily he was OK....

Philippa Bond ● 6842d