Q: I love to read your column, but I think you whiffed a bit on your response to the senior who waves drivers on so that she can walk slowly and not be rushed.
You are correct: Those of us who “hunker down” to let her walk are doing the only safe thing, legally and otherwise.
I was “waved on” by a pedestrian years ago and was promptly pulled over by a police officer. I got a warning, and was told in no uncertain terms I could have been ticketed, or worse, in a jam if the pedestrian changed their mind or was part of an insurance scam (being waved on by someone who turned out to be a “shill” who walked across anyway, then getting sued — and losing).
When anyone tries to forfeit their legal right of way to me, I refuse. If they persist, I put my car in park and demonstrably take my hands off the wheel.
I hate to tell anyone what they “should do,” but I’ll make an exception. You should have told Donna to take her right of way, walk as slowly as she needs, and to get over feeling rushed.
If I had encountered Donna in this scenario, we’d both still be there.
Rick Tuuri
A: Donna’s comment about motioning drivers to proceed when she’s walking, so she can cross the street when there are no cars waiting, generated a lot of response. Here we go…
Q: I sympathize with the reader who tries to wave drivers on because she doesn’t like being rushed at crosswalks by polite drivers. Since communication is difficult, the trick I use is to turn so that it looks like I am continuing down the street. The driver proceeds, and I can go back to the crosswalk!
Thanks for helping us all keep moving along!
Eve Carlson, Mountain View
A: And…
Q: I disagree strongly with your reader who wants drivers to pay attention when she waves them through an intersection.
The problem is that the person waving you through might not have checked for other pedestrians or bikes. I’ve had drivers wave me through a stop sign when I am riding a bike, only to have some other car go through the intersection. For this reason, I generally ignore drivers who wave me through.
If your reader isn’t ready to cross the street, then she should back away from the curb enough to make it clear that she is not crossing the road. It works better for everybody if everyone is clear about their intentions, instead of directing others.
Jim Bodwin, Cupertino
A: That’s it for today.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.
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