crosswalk madness - devices for staying alive
March 18, 2017 8:29 AM Subscribe
I cross a major intersection and a busy parking lot daily for lunch. I encounter instances where drivers are dangerously inattentive. What tech might I use to improve my odds?
I'm posting this as a way to vent a little as I had my last run-in just yesterday. Every day for lunch I cross a major four-way intersection with cross walks and street lights, then across a parking lot. It's not uncommon for me to experience driving behavior that is inconsiderate, dangerous or simply not paying attention. I'm full-on alert at all times and ready to take evasive action yet still get surprised and maybe have to run for it.
Scenario 1: right turning bozo driver is looking at oncoming traffic while waiting for a red light to change, never looks to the right at waiting pedestrians, light changes, floors it while people are starting to cross. Scenario 2: bozo driver guns it turning left across the oncoming traffic, window pillar or inattention means they never see the person in the cross walk. Having started up aggressively they then feel a need to ignore the pedestrian and unsafely pass by at high speed.
#2 happened yesterday in the major intersection with me in the middle of the passage with this idiot heading straight for me. I end up waving my hands as in 'hey fool stop!' which is another fail as I should have run for it. Managed to exit stage right with dignity somewhat intact.
So, I'm speculating about a device with: flashing light, warning screech, video camera. Bonus points for paint ball attachment, though that's aggressive and unlikely to end well.
The irony is that my co-workers all jay-walk and are probably safer than I am crossing an intersection with walk signs, lights and a subset percentage of inattentive, busy or poor drivers waiting to exhibit their worst habits.
As a bike commuter and ex-burner, I'm well aware of the value of being well-lit and obvious. Given this post is more of a way to release the adrenalin of yesterday's encounter, what devices could I use to stay safer on my daily migration?
I'm posting this as a way to vent a little as I had my last run-in just yesterday. Every day for lunch I cross a major four-way intersection with cross walks and street lights, then across a parking lot. It's not uncommon for me to experience driving behavior that is inconsiderate, dangerous or simply not paying attention. I'm full-on alert at all times and ready to take evasive action yet still get surprised and maybe have to run for it.
Scenario 1: right turning bozo driver is looking at oncoming traffic while waiting for a red light to change, never looks to the right at waiting pedestrians, light changes, floors it while people are starting to cross. Scenario 2: bozo driver guns it turning left across the oncoming traffic, window pillar or inattention means they never see the person in the cross walk. Having started up aggressively they then feel a need to ignore the pedestrian and unsafely pass by at high speed.
#2 happened yesterday in the major intersection with me in the middle of the passage with this idiot heading straight for me. I end up waving my hands as in 'hey fool stop!' which is another fail as I should have run for it. Managed to exit stage right with dignity somewhat intact.
So, I'm speculating about a device with: flashing light, warning screech, video camera. Bonus points for paint ball attachment, though that's aggressive and unlikely to end well.
The irony is that my co-workers all jay-walk and are probably safer than I am crossing an intersection with walk signs, lights and a subset percentage of inattentive, busy or poor drivers waiting to exhibit their worst habits.
As a bike commuter and ex-burner, I'm well aware of the value of being well-lit and obvious. Given this post is more of a way to release the adrenalin of yesterday's encounter, what devices could I use to stay safer on my daily migration?
This post was deleted for the following reason: Heya, this needs to be less of a vent and more of a straightforward ask, to work on AskMe -- LobsterMitten
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