The victim crossed on a ''red flashing man'' and was two-thirds of the way across the road when the defendant hit her, police said.
so even though the pedestrian crossed on a "red " don't cross signal the driver was blamed for hitting them. hardly fair i think.
surely pedestrians have to take responsibility for their safety as well not just wander across the crossing whenever they feel like it.
bitsy_boffin,
Oct 5, 3:56am
It is the driver's responsibility not to run over a pedestrian, no matter who they are or what they are doing. The driver has the ultimate ability to prevent injury, by stopping (or in this case, by not proceeding).
Children, elderly, intellectually diminished, distracted and just plum stupid people are everywhere and can walk onto the road at any moment, it doesn't mean you get a free pass to mow them down.
The only thing I would maybe agree with is that the fine could have been paid to the state for road safety purposes rather than the pedestrian.
mumsrule,
Oct 5, 4:12am
As described in the road code a red flashing man still allows a pedestrian to cross. It indicates that the traffic light will soon turn green for cars. So if the car driver hit a pedestrian who still had a flashing signal while crossing, then they actually broke the law by running a red light. They were lucky it wasn't worse.
skull,
Oct 5, 4:16am
Right on the button, pity the 1st two posters have no idea how the pedestrian lights work. If the little man is still flashing then the cars must be on a red light.
mischieftam,
Oct 5, 4:19am
your both wrong- the pedestrian entered the crossing while the pedestrian crossing"red man " light was flashing. the traffic light was green.
m16d,
Oct 5, 4:25am
If the little red man is flashing, the traffic light cannot be green.
johotech,
Oct 5, 4:26am
He was turning. Of course his light was green.
mumsrule,
Oct 5, 4:28am
The victim crossed on a ''red flashing man'' and was two-thirds of the way across the road when the defendant hit her, police said.
Seems people only read what they want to read so they can blame the victim. She was well and truely almost across the road. Not just starting to cross.
mischieftam,
Oct 5, 4:28am
what planet you on? not planet earth. read the article the traffic light was green-the pedestrian crossing light was red. you know the "do nor cross now" one. the pedestrian walked out onto the crossing on a red light and got hit what a surprise. No where does it say they were old , a child , intellectually handicapped or listening to an ipod etc. If someone steps onto the road without looking-how is it your fault?
johotech,
Oct 5, 4:30am
Geez, I hope your driving is better than your reading and comprehension. mischieftam AND mumsrule
intrade,
Oct 5, 4:32am
in whangarei there is light like that i never run any pedestrian over the light is green while they are 3/4 across every time. In parlerston north i noticed the lights are more idiotic straight and turning green . lucky i am a good driver and dont just go when my light is green
mumsrule,
Oct 5, 4:34am
There are also signs informing drivers to give way to pedestrians.
The judge said it was Mayall's (the driver) responsibility to look out for anyone on foot.
nice_lady,
Oct 5, 5:18am
red flashing for peds is like an orange for drivers. it's the drivers fault they hit the person . Your'e supposed to be able to stop in time to avoid obstacles on the road.
skull,
Oct 5, 5:27am
Bollocks, the light flashes while the traffic has a red, it goes to a solid lit state when the traffic gets green.
purplegoat,
Oct 5, 5:30am
Are you serious OP ? You think it's acceptable for a vehicle which was stopped at traffic lights to move off and mow down a pedistrian who would have been visible in front of them . Even if the pedistrian was doing the Haka naked any vehicle driver who thinks it is acceptable to hit a pedistrian should start catching the bus
scuba,
Oct 5, 7:26pm
not quite nice-lady- it means finish crossing not begin crossing. but yes you are supposed to be able to stop. not a nice feeling hitting a pedestrian- i hit a young fella one day driving thru "the exchange" down here years ago. I saw him running along the footpath then with out looking he ran in front of me as i drove past. never even had a chance to brake.
sanremo,
Oct 5, 8:14pm
That's just not true. There are plenty of crossings where pedestrians get a green man at the same time as turning traffic has a green arrow - peds have right of way in that case.
You may only BEGIN crossing on the green man - flashing red means you may CONTINUE crossing (with right of way) if it changes when you're in the middle of the road.
If you step out while the red man is flashing then you are crossing without right of way, but cars are still not allowed to actually run you over.
elect70,
Oct 6, 12:57am
Iwas in court once when a guy was up on similar charge . Lawyer almost got him down to just DIC saying he walked in front of his car even though he was pissed , but when judge asked him if he had anything to say in his own defence said " i dont know why the fuss he was only a nigger anyway "" rGuilty & remanded for sentence
smallwoods,
Oct 6, 1:15am
Read what YOu wrote.
The pedestrian entered the road when light was flashing. (same as a amber for traffic) The light may have gone solid straight away?
The pedestrian was 2/3rds of the way across WHEN hit. Is this enough time for the traffic lights to have turned GREEN for the cars?
mumsrule,
Oct 6, 1:25am
That was actually copied from the article.Not my words. Maybe it should have been written that the pedestrian was two thirds of the way across the road and the "red flashing man" was active. Does that help your understanding without reading the link? She did not start to cross with the red flashing. What don't YOU understand smallwoods?
most4u,
Oct 6, 7:56am
Red light left - green light straight - green light right = you have right of way straight ahead and turning right but not left. red light left - green light straight - red light right = you have right of way straight ahead but not left or right. green light left, green light straight, light right not illuminated = you have right of way left (pedestrians won't be oncoming), right of way straight and you can proceed right if there are no oncoming vehicles turning left or going straight. solid green indicates that straight ahead has right of way but vehicles turning left or right need to give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning left, OR pedestrians crossing straight ahead
pauldw,
Oct 6, 8:48am
The NZTA design guide for traffic lights says green arrows should only be used if the turn is unopposed. In Wellington that is the case, if the pedestrian crossing is lit you will be turning on a green rather than a green arrow.
smallwoods,
Oct 6, 9:04am
Oh, so we are supposed to read what you haven't written?
Now I understand. Here's the info, please fill in the bits I missed?
smallwoods,
Oct 6, 9:06am
Still, mine may be correct?
nice_lady,
Oct 6, 7:07pm
NO the lights wont go green untill the ped flashing light has stopped and gone solid red.
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