[nagdu] Crosswalks, the White Cane Law, and Pedestrians in General

Tue Mar 23 18:24:19 UTC 2010

I agree with you there David. To many times I am having to walk out into
traffic to go around a car, truck, or limo stretched out into the crosswalk
which is a violation here in nyc. The absence  of a traffic cop does not
preclude me from punching or rapping the hood of the car either. In one
instance I stood in front of the car until he had a red light again letting
him know that I was not letting it go with just a raised fist. He nor the
others behind him were all to happy. Happened on park avenue and 59th street
just doors away from the lighthouse. 

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of David Baker
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:06 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Crosswalks, the White Cane Law,and Pedestrians in
General

Jewel, the laws vary by state.  In Georgia, for instance, drivers are
required
to stop for all pedestrians at all crosswalks (anywhere a street enters or
crosses another street, if there are no markings).  The law is not followed
in
practice and one would have to be insane to rely upon it.  I have been known
to
whack cars very hard in situations such as yours.  This, however, upsets my
wife
terribly.  She is convinced that I am going to have someone jump out of a
nice
Ferrari, Lincoln, or ...  and shoot me, or pummel me to a pulp.  (On the
other
hand, wisely or not, my roller tip has left some very impressive dents in
some
very expensive cars.)  Since some of my generalized anger about having RP
has
abated and I still have some central vision left, I now just raise my cane
and
point it directly at the driver has he or she whizzes by.  ('Some
satisfaction
there, but no where near as cathartic as a good hard whack on the hood.)

David

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of
Jewel S.
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 12:36 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Crosswalks, the White Cane Law, and Pedestrians in General

Hi guys,
The conversation about the White Cane Laws prompted a thought in my mind. I
know
that pedestrians, especially those with a white cane or guide dog, must be
given
the right of way in crosswalks in intersections, and it was my understanding
that anywhere a blind person steps into the road they are to be given the
right
of way for their safety. Please correct me if I'm wrong (I know it varies
from
state to state; I'm in North Carolina).

Now, my question is, what are the laws for crosswalks in general? Are all
pedestrians given right of way in a crosswalk? What about a crosswalk where
there is no light? For example, in a shopping center in Raleigh, there is a
crosswalk across a street in the shopping area that most people don't use
because cars never give right-of-way to any pedestrians. I decided to give
it a
shot yesterday because I needed to quickly get from one bus stop on one side
to
the other bus stop on the exact oppposite side. I stuck out my cane, but it
was
ignored, of course. I waited until there was a break in traffic, and stepped
out, at my usual pace for crossing, which is slow by normal standards as I
don't
walk fast. So as I was walking across, one car, then another, drove directly
in
front of me across the crosswalk, with no thought of stopping or even
slowing
down. A third car came within a few feet of me. As I was almost across, a
car
did stop for me, but I wonder if it was only because I was directly in his
path?

What are the laws about these crosswalks in areas with a lot of pedestrians?
A
crosswalk with no crosswalk light and/or not at an intersection? What about
an
intersection with no crosswalk? Anyone know where to find these laws? I have
some ideas how to get involved in correcting these problems, if my
assumption is
correct that the lack of a light does not excus lack of yielding. Is this
correct?

Wondering,
Jewel

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