Scary moments spark pedestrian’s concern
Pedestrian - Thursday, November 29th, 2012 at 8:32 AM
Dear editor,
I hope I won’t ever read a story about anyone being fatally hit on any of the pedestrain crossings around Road Town and other parts of the territory.
Little more than a week ago, one man was struck on the pedestrian crossing closest to Umi Fashion in Road Town. Few days afterwards, a scooter injured a man who was crossing on Waterfront Drive.
I happen to pass the one at Waterfront Drive on foot and noticed the scooter had the words “Nightmare on Elm Street”.
Maybe the word NIGHTMARE would in fact sum up an experience I subsequently had in Road Town. I was about half-way on the pedestrian crossing immediately in front Medicure Pharmacy when an Indian-looking man in a huge white pick-up gave me the scare of my life.
I noticed he was some distance away from the pedestrian crossing and so I ventured out. I though he would have done the decent thing and allowed me to cross. No. He picked up speed.
I hit the reverse (on foot) and ran back to the side of the road on which I was standing earlier.
As shock as I was, I managed to see the man’s face. It was so full of anger and so lacking remorse as though he thought I was the one in the wrong. How dare he???
I am not trying to say some pedestrians are not reckles in terms of how they use the roads. Also, I am not trying to say most drivers do not considerate of pedestrians. Based on experience, most of them slow down to give the worst of pedestrians a chance to live.
However, there are too many cruel motorists who think they must make all effort to kill a pedestrian, maybe because no police officer is stationed at these crossings 24/7.
On related matters, do the police have any intention to ticket the drivers who keep parking on or too near pedestrian crossings? Some of them park for several minutes in certain areas that block the view of people using the pedestrian crossing. Think I a lying?? Go check the crossing in front of Umi Fashion! Go now!
By the way, I read on one of these blogs, someone complaining how close that pedestrian crossing is to the intersection!!!!!!
What about the pedestrian crossings where the paints have faded. Check next to Bobby’s Supermarket for example. Is that “pedestrian crossing” still a pedestrial crossing?
And what about the crossing in front the Road Town Police Station. Why is it so long and slant? Why isn’t it straight line across the road? Not sure of the reason behind that.
Thank God anyways, for saving my life. The incident was an eyeopener.
Yours Sincerely,
Pedestrian
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15 Comments
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I think I am the indian looking man that the writer is referring to above, but the scenario did not happen in the way the writer describes.
I happen to be black, not inidian looking.
My huge white pick-up is actually a Chevy Colorado, a regular size pick-up (smaller than full sized i.e huge, and mid-sized, i.e. medium).
That look of anger was actually a look of fright.
I didn’t speed away but circled the roundabout at normal speed to go in the other direction.
I wasn’t approaching the crossing as I was forced to STOP ON the crossing in the right lane by an inconsiderate driver in front of me who stopped shortly after the pedestrian crossing without signalling, thus forcing me to stop on the crossing or else hit the back of his car. There were no cars approaching from the right of the roundabout, when the car in front of me stopped.
No one was on the pedestrian crossing at that time. As that driver proceeded, I waited a few seconds, to grant myself enough space off of the crossing, in the event that I had to stop again for a vehicle approaching from the right of the roundabout. Shortly after I SLOWLY proceeded to move off of the crossing, the writer approached and started to cross and when I looked across and saw his approach, it was a look of fright, not anger. Please note that I was already (SLOWLY) moving off the crossing before the writer who was walking at a brisk pace, stepped on the crossing.
No matter who was right or wrong, (and I would have probably been wrong, because despite the circumstances, I should not have stopped on the crossing) if anything had happened, I would have hit a pedestrian on the crossing, thus the look of fright.
I agree with the theme of the writer’s article, but if we are referring to the same scenario (and I think we are), he should not embellish the truth to make a point.
As a pedestrian, I have the mindset that a driver is always right and when I am about to make a crossing and see a vehicle approaching, I always allow the driver to indicate to me, if it is OK to cross (for my physical wellbeing).
As a driver, I have the mindset, the pedestrian is always right and always stop to allow them to cross or if he/she waves for me to go ahead (for my mental and financial wellbeing).
I also apologise to people of Indian descent for using the term “indian looking” which I find derogatory, but only used it because the writer uses it to refer to me.
I am happy that you have found it fit to respond. I could dispute few things in your response, but doesn’t make much sense. I maintain that I was on the crossing. I didn’t notice that your vehicle was obstructed by another. So many things happened so fast. The question in my head was – why did you drive across while I was walking then make such facial expression? NOW I am pleased to know you have sought to explain both. When you left the area, I was really wondering what was going through your mind. Now, I am happy to know you had no intention to run me over lol… Seriously though, I hope this letter would have made some difference in the life of even one driver or pedestrian using the roads.
Also, my apologies if people of Indian-decent take offense. And I deliberately used “Indian-like” as I was not sure f you are Indian. I was merely trying find a description that matched what I saw at the time with all the fear and so many things happening at once. Anyways, thanks for responding. That experience can only make us better users of the roads. MAYBE IT SERVED ITS PURPOSE.
yes some time pedestrians cross how they feel like but u got to understand y somethmes.i always cross with my eyes out. i stood a time well many times on the cross walk were both side drivers can see me, but guest what they look in my eyes and pass stright by, some of them move their lips with a sorry motion. some of them dont even notice and am righ in the open. they can be 10cars away see u passing but yet not to slow down….huh. some time u can be half way across the other driver will drive off. Some drivers forget at time that a cross line is near but in a rush forgetting….will over take cars and i say cars and almost run me down ON the cross walk. i have so may is not funny…well u see ttyl
I think JAYWALKING should be illegal. these pedestrians cross anywhere they feel like without taking heed of the oncoming traffic!
Just passed the pedestrain crossing at UMI and saw a van parked right at the pedestrian crossing. WORST – There was a uniformed police officer crossing the road – TURNED A BLIND EYE
Only in Tortola, where vehicles are allowed to park on the sidewalks (paths), and pedestrians have to walk out on the road. EXAMPLE: Scotiabank and the immediate vicinity.
This has been one of my peeves for a long time. Scotia put up the barricades then use them for their own purposes and put us in the street. And I agree with all of the other posts re: cross walk lack of maintenance and allowing parking, particularly dangerous at Umi crossing.
I have to agree with the writer about the cross walk next to Umi Fashion. I have often been tempted to write to the Comissioner about vehicles that constantly park just above the cross walk, blocking the view of motorists. However, I am sure that the police and also the COP and the Dep.COP have seen this (if I am not mistaken their office is on Waterfront Drive and they must have passed such a situation very often), and yet nothing is done. I hope someone in authority has read this Letter to the Editor and is willing to do something about vehicles parked above, sometimes right on, the cross walk next to Umi’s.
Well if its screw da cops then its up to us.
we need the duke or some other royalty from UK to come back. That’s the only time we see police on the street patrolling.
I totally understand the writer’s concerns. Yesterday, while driving along Waterfront Drive, a black SUV was parked on the side of the road, completely blocking the view of the pedestrian crosswalk, just west of Nibbs Street. In fact, that particular car is often parked there.
As I was traveling west, I had to slow down (nearly stop) to make sure nobody was trying to cross. Sure enough, just as I approached, a lady walked straight out in front of me. Had I not been concerned about not being able to see the crosswalk, I would have hit her.
The pedestrian could see the car sitting there just as easily as I could see it. Yet she took no concern for her own safety. She didn’t even glance my way ~ she just stepped straight out into the road. Does she expect drivers to have x-ray vision?
The police need to be more proactive in regards to towing away cars blocking the view of any pedestrian crosswalk, the public works department needs to make sure that all crosswalks and speed bumps are clearly marked at ALL times ~ and drivers and pedestrians alike need to be more considerate of one another.
No driver WANTS to hit anybody and they need to take every precaution to ensure public safety when operating any vehicle. However,pedestrians also need to take responsibility for their own safety and look both ways BEFORE crossing the street.
In addition, there is one particular crosswalk on Waterfront Drive that has trees and floral planters partially obscuring the view of approaching pedestrians wishing to cross the road. Either the trees and bushes need to be trimmed on a regular basis or they need to be removed!
Where r the police ?? NEVER THERE (only when they come trying to investigate
sOEM OF U PEDESTRIAN are even more stupid – cross anywhere anytime – soon get what you all searching for
some of these drivers really dont care one bit – had a similar close call
In every aspect pedestrians and motorist have to consider one-another but in some cases this is not the story. I was walking up from Quomar to Hope Hill Side and almost every one that passed is right on you, I have to stop every time a vehicle is aproching fail to do so I would have been broken, and Iwonder people just forgot about their fellow men and live so selfish!
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