There is nothing like running on a trail. The soft dirt, the scenery, and most important, no cars. I wanted to run on a trail this weekend – or at least run in a place with no cars. Unfortunately, I was stuck running on busy streets and across intersections. It was on one of these intersections that I was reminded how annoying car drivers can be.
“That car will surely stop” I told myself as I prepared to cross an intersection. The car was about 50 feet away and had clearly seen me step out into the intersection. The driver did, indeed, see me, but saw no reason to stop.
“Wow, that car is really not going to stop” I told myself after I realized that the car had actually sped up after the driver saw me. I gave the driver an incredulous scowl that communicated my rage that the driver failed to understand the point of a crosswalk.
After seeing my look of hate, the driver slammed on her breaks, rolled down her window, and shouted, “Just because you are running does not mean you have the right-away!!” As she accelerated past me, I had a sense of disbelief that someone could be so stupid. I took a deep breath and continued with me run.
Of course, runners DO have the right-away when crossing at a crosswalk. Most state laws make this very clear. For example, my state’s law (Washington) clearly states:
“The operator of an approaching vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian or bicycle to cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when the pedestrian or bicycle is upon or within one lane of the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning.” RCW 46.61.235.
It is the fundamental misunderstanding (or willful ignorance) of these types of laws that can make running and cycling so dangerous.
Due to the idiocy of so many drivers, runners must be on the constant lookout for bad drivers – when doubt, always assume that a car will not stop. Always make eye contact prior to crossing in front of a car. If you are unable to make eye contact, don’t cross. Even better, run on a beautiful trail if you can, and skip the pleasure of dealing with obnoxious drivers.