You stupid, f*(king cow! (Read 975 times)

My running career and possibly my life just about ended a mere 5 minutes ago. Just as I was nearing the end of my run a stupid old broad who should have her license revoked came thisclose to hitting me. I was running on the primary road and she came to a T with a stop sign. She stopped and then went (turning right onto the main street)...looked right at me and can't have not seen me...it's sunny, clear, and I was wearing a BRIGHT YELLOW windbreaker. I think the asshat figured that since she was in a car that her rights trumped mine, even though SHE is the one who had the stop sign, not I. *I* had to swerve into the middle of the street with my arm outstretched towards her car (both in a 'stop' gesture as well as a way to sheild the rest of my body from the impact) to avoid being hit and only THEN did she stop after she nearly plowed into me. I yelled at her to watch where she's going, but I'm sure she didn't hear with the windows rolled-up. I just called my hubby...he has had similar issues while on his bike. He suggested that I should have jumped on her hood. Had my wits been more about me I think I would have. If this should ever happen again I will. I hope I leave a big-ass dent, too. They wouldn't have much of a case against me if I were to damage their car. People really suck. I think we're too litigious a society, but I honestly would sue the pants off of anyone who caused me even minor injuries by driving like an idiot when they are sharing the roads with runners, bicyclists, walkers and others who don't have the protection of sheet metal and airbags. If for no other reason than to prove a point and serve as a reminder to them and all those that they associate with that their driver's license is a priviledge and that they need to be more conscious of everyone else on the roadways. k

As a runner, I think you have to abide by the pedestrian rules. There are of course rules for drivers being mindful of pedestrians, but you may find that where you live it turns out that you do not have right of way. Are you sure you can share the road with cars? Consult a local legally informed person rather than your husband.

olethros, you might be right, but might also want to Lynn B

Ducking! In any case, where I live, cars are virtually guaranteed to stop if they see you about to cross a zebra crossing, and are quite likely to stop if you're just crossing at an arbitrary point. I cannot guarantee that they have really seen me though and since a runner moves faster than a walker.. I am extra careful when running or skating in the town.

When I approach an intersection in the fashion you describe, I usually swerve and go behind the car, unless they actually wave me on.

I actually do the same thing too. If I'm at an intersection, I'll run behind the car at the front.

Zoom, Glad you're okay. This forum would be a whole lot quieter without you on it. Based on what you described, it certainly sounds like you had the right-of-way, so that's not the issue. What I've learned after more close calls than I care to think about is to always assume they don't see you. When I approach an intersection in the fashion you describe, I usually swerve and go behind the car, unless they actually wave me on. It's annoying as hell, since a pedestrian has the right-of-way at a cross-walk (painted or not), but I've had too many jackasses do exactly what you describe. Cheers, Jeff

I usually do go behind cars when at all possible (because it makes for a safer crossing)...this is another factor that make the whole thing so odd. She stopped WAY behind the stop sign, which really made me think that she was giving me extra room and being very considerate. The whole thing is just really puzzling. It's almost like she's never encountered a runner before...

Glad you're ok! I just heard about an elderly woman who was hit by a drunk in the middle of the day Sunday (3:30 pm) He had had 3 25 ounce beers and hit her on the sidewalk. He says he thought it was a bird. His rearview mirror ripped off from impact. Some bird. She ended up dead. The restaurant was in my hometown, and the accident in the town next door. I guess the point is, whether you have the right of way or not, sometimes it's just better to be overly cautious. I pay no attention to street lights as Boston drivers run red lights all the time. It's worth a few seconds on my running time to not get hit by the guy fiddling with his radio, whether I'd be in the right or not.

I There's no way she didn't see me, as there are no trees or other obstructions (I will try to post a map of the spot this evening when I get back). She looked right at me and I at her. I have no clue WTF she was thinking (maybe that's the problem--I don't think she was thinking. I'm almost wondering if there were meds or alcohol involved). Even after she started moving from behind the stop sign she kept coming at me, even as I was directly in front of her car with my arm extended in a stop gesture. k

That sounds as though she was mentally or visually impaired in some way. I don't trust drivers. I am one of them and I did crash twice while not paying attention. Fortunately no-one was hurt.

Glad you're ok! I just heard about an elderly woman who was hit by a drunk in the middle of the day Sunday (3:30 pm) He had had 3 25 ounce beers and hit her on the sidewalk. He says he thought it was a bird. His rearview mirror ripped off from impact. Some bird. She ended up dead. The restaurant was in my hometown, and the accident in the town next door. I guess the point is, whether you have the right of way or not, sometimes it's just better to be overly cautious. I pay no attention to street lights as Boston drivers run red lights all the time. It's worth a few seconds on my running time to not get hit by the guy fiddling with his radio, whether I'd be in the right or not.

Holy cow I wonder if he was *aiming* for the bird?? That is really sad.