Why do people risk death crossing dangerous roads?

[R1Geezer]

When there is a subway near by, see this google streen view
http://tinyurl.com/35hclmo
It's see the chap crossing behind the mini, when there is an underpass 10 yards away. This is a particular black spot near me. Come on own up are you one of those idiots who will risk death and carnage to avoid some stairs and an extra few yards wlking?
Anyone any more examples of this?

[ummmm]

Yep....

[Nosha123]

I wouldnt use an underpass if I didnt have to!!

[Old_Geezer]

You try to get people to agree with your opinon that they are idiots and expect a reasonable response ?

[ChuckFickens]

Get that near me too.

The main (dual carriage way) that runs past Essex university has an underpass going under it and despite that about 5 people (students) have been killed in the last few years simply because they can't be bothered to use the underpass (again about 10 meters further away)

They are considering reducing the speed limit on the road due to this, which I think is crazy, there is safe crossing provided so don't inconvenience the car drivers just because the pedestrians are too stupid or lazy to use it.

[craft1948]

Bishopthorpe Road in York is one of the busiest roads in the city during rush hour.........I've seen people dodging in and out of traffic rather than wait at the pedestrian crossing a few yards away.

[rowanwitch]

I wouldn't use an underpass in some places unless I was armed or unless I was with someone

They are a system designed to channel victims towards muggers.....

[sandyRoe]

Aren't there different types of danger you might meet in an underpass?

[Nosha123]

the underpasses might provide safe crossings of roads.. but I cant imagine they are very nice places... stinking of all sorts - grafitti.. I certainly wouldnt use one if I can cross a road alright without it!
Especially at night too!!
The cars in the photo are approaching a roundabout - so all have to slow down - its not like you are crossing a motorway!!

[R1Geezer]

Well if you could take a safe bridge or underpass but you choose to dodge past traffic and risk death, I'd say idiot is the correct term.

[jednbutter]

Maybe its the low life scum that hang out in hooded gangs that put people off of using there local subway,as if its like a subway near me its a no go area and the police seem to have given up trying to move the local scum on.
They hang out near the entrance day and night doing whatever they do, I would rather cross the road than risk abuse and threats from this scum.

[Nosha123]

the alleged idiot in the photo is hardly 'dodging traffic' though... to be fair...
He's walking across the road with cars having already passed!
Not exactly - jumping in and around moving vehicles is it!

Faced with crossing that particular road - or walking alone through an underpass thats perhaps poorly lit - stinks of wee - and got hoodies hanging around. I'd take my chances with the traffic thanks.. I'm no idiot!!

[R1Geezer]

Nosha the greater danger comes when the cross the second section in this picture, cars come from the right quite quickly and constantly. Also on the side where the guy is crossing there are 3 lanes to his right and also a lane merging from ASDA so that is busy too, although that Google pic doesn't show that this time.

[Nosha123]

the second section you refer to, also has a small side road adjoining it - where I presume cars pull out onto the dual carriage way anyway... plus its shown as a 30mph speed limit....
Unless I was in a wheelchair - or walked with a white stick.. I would still take the road option!

[R1Geezer]

Well the small slip road you refer too is where the alight from the road, ie still on the road, there is no actual pavement. Regularly cars turning into this road have to dodge pedestrians.

[Nosha123]

why are cars dodging pedestrians though? If a pedestrian is already crossing a road they have right of way to continue doing so!

[ChuckFickens]

The place I mentioned in my example is a well lit underpass with CCTV cameras covering the full length of it that are permanently monitored by the university campus security.

they have even put a fence up along the side of the road to stop people crossing the road and make them use the underpass.

So now people climb the fence and walk across 4lanes of traffic travelling at 70mph + and get killed at about the rate of one a year.

[rowanwitch]

I appreciate the problem though.... bit difficult to assert your right of way when a car is almost on top of you going 50mph.... The coroners court might say the driver was to blame but you wouldn't be there to appreciate it.... I have been known to use a bus to get across a busy junction one stop bus pass costs nothing....safer than a subway

[R1Geezer]

no they don't! Are you serious? firstly there is no such thing as Right of way and secondly are you saying that I can cross a dual carraige way when traffic is comming and they have to stop? In the picture if you are turning left into the side road you are often confonted by people standing in the middle of the road, they got there, not by crossing the road but by taking the same route as a car. Nosha, have a think please, you cannot be condoning this foolery surely!

[Nosha123]

chuckfickens.. in your example.. I WOULD choose the underpass...
Or I just wouldnt walk anywhere!

I wouldnt take on 4 lanes of fast moving traffic.. thats is insane...

[R1Geezer]

People die regularly here too chuck, not to mention the amount of shunts caused by people braking for these idiots.