Idiots ignoring lights at East Dulwich station.

[malcolmchurch]

I am always careful crossing traffic lights/ pedestrian crossings. Tonight I got off the train at East Dulwich station, said to my girlfriend that this is the best pedestrian crossing in London, as soon as you press the button the lights change. Voila, the lights changed, a bus stopped and we started crossing the road. Light on Green but some idiot in a car overtook the bus and just missed hitting me and my girlfriend by inches! Really not sure what you can do to stop this happening...... I suppose in future I will treat green lights as just a warning and not absolute. Beware!

[KidKruger]

You have to look what's happening on a road whether you're a pedestrian or driving - to assume everyone else is watching out for you is a bit optimistic. They're busy texting etc. so good luck.

[malcolmchurch]

Very silly of me to assume that people obey traffic light!

[KidKruger]

Not silly at all, just dangerous.

[Loz]

Always assume anyone and everyone on the road is an idiot.

[pipsky2008]

I echo everyone's sentiments. Extremely important to use ones senses, not just what the green man says for you to do. I had a very narrow escape myself about a year ago on the zebra crossing, bottom of Barry Road by someone who waved me accross then put their foot down. A different matter, I appreciate.

[malcolmchurch]

Thinking about it, normally I would check the traffic but the bus stopped, I could not see past the bus and, mistakenly, assumed no idiot would overtake the bus there... you live and learn...

[pipsky2008]

You did all anyone would or could have done. Thank God you're not hurt.

[KalamityKel]

I'm a little confused as to the point of this thread - are you complaining that this particular set of lights is a continuous issue and traffic layout etc needs to be reconsidered? Or are you commenting generally that ALL lights are dangerous and everyone whether you are a road user or pedestrian needs to be more considerate of their surroundings?

[enjoy]

A few weird comments l read here.

Malcom complained about careless and dangerous drivers only.

Descibing a particular incident at the described location.

Nothing more in my opinion.

Malcom is absolutey right about this.

Be all careful, watch and listen, some idiots have a driving licence!

[tomskip]

I have always drummed it into my children that the green man is not a green light to cross. You must always take care and assume that a driver or cyclist has not seen the red light, every single time.

Did neither of you get the number plate?

[pipsky2008]

I didn't. I was too busy trying to gather in my spirit that had left my body having been missed by centimetres at 30MPH.

[minder]

Kidkruger, the light was on green for pedestrians to cross. The bus stopped as the lights were red for oncoming traffic. I can't see how any driver would overtake a bus at these lights but I've experienced it myself so can understand.

This was a pedestrian crossing with lights and everything. Imagine if it were a child going by the green man? What would happen then?

This sort of thing happens everyday at normal zebra crossings.

Only last week at 8.30am it took two attempts at me trying to cross at a normal zebra crossing in Red Post Hill before I went out into the road with hands up! This was with a double buggy!

Driver was half asleep and didn't seem to know what was going on!

[lane lover]

Weird post. I look both ways regardless of what a little green man says. Until they put down lead barricades at lights, I will continue to do so.

One of the first things I was taught in Common Sense 101.

[BrandNewGuy]

lane lover Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Weird post. I look both ways regardless of what a

> little green man says. Until they put down lead

> barricades at lights, I will continue to do so.

>

> One of the first things I was taught in Common

> Sense 101.

No reason why the OP didn't look both ways - but how are you expected to see a car overtaking a bus at the lights until it's right on top of you? Stop and peer cautiously around the bus while half way across the road?

[JohnL]

You get a feeling for the ones that won't stop

Sometimes I just don't walk at crossings - then a car zooms through without looking.

Would be possible manslaughter mind.

[ianr]

> but how are you expected to see a car overtaking a bus at the lights until it's right on top of you?

> Stop and peer cautiously around the bus while half way across the road?

If you want to check, that's the way to do it. And if you don't check, you run the risk of contributing to an accident.

[JohnL]

but also drivers need to remember, partially sighted people

use the green man - that's why it beeps !!

Just checked about Zebras and the traffic isn't obliged to stop

until you're on the road - but advice is to wait on the

pavement until traffic stops (catch 22 :))

lane lover Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Weird post. I look both ways regardless of what a

> little green man says. Until they put down lead

> barricades at lights, I will continue to do so.

>

> One of the first things I was taught in Common

> Sense 101.

[BrandNewGuy]

ianr Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> > but how are you expected to see a car

> overtaking a bus at the lights until it's right on

> top of you?

> > Stop and peer cautiously around the bus while

> half way across the road?

>

> If you want to check, that's the way to do it.

> And if you don't check, you run the risk of

> contributing to an accident.

*Contributing* to an accident by being hit by a vehicle you can't see that's overtaking at a crossing??

[KidKruger]

That's a classic.

[Earl Aelfheah]

Interesting to compare the responses to this thread against those regarding cycling on the pavements.

[mynamehere]

yes, you are correct in that observation rah rah