Smee:
There are more surveillance cameras of various sorts in this country than the rest of Europe put together… Enough is enough, teach the bloody pedestrians how to cross a road safely…
You’ll be aware that they have right of way then?
Oh very funny… …In the USA Jaywalking is illegal, why should drivers be responsible for pedestrian stupidity…
Nothing funny about it. We are not in the USA. Pedestrians have right of way here.
As far as I am concerned…when they start paying road tax they can claim right of way on the road. NOT BEFORE
Someone always has to dig this one up! There’s a reason why it’s no longer called the “Road Fund Licence” - it has nothing to do with funding the roads. Like any other public facility the road network is funded from a variety of taxes. In this particular case we’re talking about local roads which are usually maintained by the local authority so funded by the council tax payers living on them…so if anything its the pedestrian crossing the road to their local shop/pub/school who should turn to you and say you can claim your right to be there when YOU start paying for the road!
Mike-C is right about pedestrians having right of way. Not sure how it works in the USA but over here we have the following rights;
Pedestrians; Have the RIGHT to use the entire width of the carriageway, including the verges, ditches etc if they wish. Also have a RIGHT to use brideways and footpaths.
Horse Riders; Have the RIGHT to use the main part of the carriageway but are not permitted to use the pavement. Also have the RIGHT to use bridleways.
Carriage drivers (basically anything with wheels but no engine); Have the RIGHT to use the main part of the carrigeway but are not permitted to use the pavement. (Cyclists also have PERMISSION to use bridleways but must give way to horse riders.)
Motorists; Don’t have any rights at all! They can apply for PERMISSION to use the roads for a limited period but that’s all. That’s what you’re doing when you apply for a tax disc. Since there’s no need to apply for permission to something you already have a right to anyone who thinks they have a right to be on the road should refuse to “buy” a disc. This is why classic cars etc. that are VED exempt still have to apply for a disc annually - if you keep asking for permission you cannot claim to acquire the right. The Land-Rover owners on here will be familiar with the advice to never ask permission to drive on a green lane as that can jeapordise any claim to the right to use it. In theory the govenment could refuse to grant permission and clear all motorised vehicles off the road within a year…but that’s about as likely as the queen using her power to dissolve parliament!
Before someone points it out, I’m referring to general purpose roads here so not including Motorways, or specific restrictions such as pedestrianised streets etc.
Of course, the best way to get along is for everyone to use a bit of common sense and understanding and drive (or walk!) appropriately. But if we all did that there’d be no need for speed limits…which sort of brings us back on topic
Smee:
There are more surveillance cameras of various sorts in this country than the rest of Europe put together… Enough is enough, teach the bloody pedestrians how to cross a road safely…
You’ll be aware that they have right of way then?
Oh very funny… …In the USA Jaywalking is illegal, why should drivers be responsible for pedestrian stupidity…
Nothing funny about it. We are not in the USA. Pedestrians have right of way here.
As far as I am concerned…when they start paying road tax they can claim right of way on the road. NOT BEFORE
Someone always has to dig this one up! There’s a reason why it’s no longer called the “Road Fund Licence” - it has nothing to do with funding the roads. Like any other public facility the road network is funded from a variety of taxes. In this particular case we’re talking about local roads which are usually maintained by the local authority so funded by the council tax payers living on them…so if anything its the pedestrian crossing the road to their local shop/pub/school who should turn to you and say you can claim your right to be there when YOU start paying for the road!
Mike-C is right about pedestrians having right of way. Not sure how it works in the USA but over here we have the following rights;
Pedestrians; Have the RIGHT to use the entire width of the carriageway, including the verges, ditches etc if they wish. Also have a RIGHT to use brideways and footpaths.
Horse Riders; Have the RIGHT to use the main part of the carriageway but are not permitted to use the pavement. Also have the RIGHT to use bridleways.
Carriage drivers (basically anything with wheels but no engine); Have the RIGHT to use the main part of the carrigeway but are not permitted to use the pavement. (Cyclists also have PERMISSION to use bridleways but must give way to horse riders.)
Motorists; Don’t have any rights at all! They can apply for PERMISSION to use the roads for a limited period but that’s all. That’s what you’re doing when you apply for a tax disc. Since there’s no need to apply for permission to something you already have a right to anyone who thinks they have a right to be on the road should refuse to “buy” a disc. This is why classic cars etc. that are VED exempt still have to apply for a disc annually - if you keep asking for permission you cannot claim to acquire the right. The Land-Rover owners on here will be familiar with the advice to never ask permission to drive on a green lane as that can jeapordise any claim to the right to use it. In theory the govenment could refuse to grant permission and clear all motorised vehicles off the road within a year…but that’s about as likely as the queen using her power to dissolve parliament!
Before someone points it out, I’m referring to general purpose roads here so not including Motorways, or specific restrictions such as pedestrianised streets etc.
Of course, the best way to get along is for everyone to use a bit of common sense and understanding and drive (or walk!) appropriately. But if we all did that there’d be no need for speed limits…which sort of brings us back on topic
Even if they didn’t have the right of way I for one would not want to run one over just to prove a point…These roads were “Public rights of way” last time I heard and not the private domain of vehicles.
I have no problem with any speed limit if it aids road safety, This country needs a complete review of all speed limits IMHO as they are a complete shambles
never mind MORE cameras etc. What about the idea where they REMOVE all the street clutter: road markings, traffic lights, railings, signs, etc. allowing vehicles to share the road with pedestrians, & the traffic speed drops!
This had been done in a European country (I forget where) & found to work well. Its now been trialled somewhere in the UK.
Enough is enough, teach the bloody pedestrians how to cross a road safely…
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