'responsible' adult, child, buggy & road

[coggles]

Why do some people put their child in the road while they are safe on the pavement. If it is to get people to stop and let them cross the road, it doesn't work for me. I just drive round the child and buggy because I think it is totally irresponsible and would not want to encourage such behaviour.

[coggles]

Thanks, TW, I always steer well clear of the buggy and give the adult a look of disapproval too! I didn't realise that's how the law stood on that one but shouldn't have been surprised - the laws in this country do tend to be a little odd!

[sft42]

Think yourself lucky you don't live in Calfornia....they have the pedestrian right of way law....basically means that on any suburban street the vehicles have to give way to foot traffic, regardless of any other factors.....but your right of course...if people had to walk over a 25,000 volt cable they wouldn't casually push there kids towards it (or let older ones play right next to it come to that).

[coggles]

I find it insane that people can put their own flesh and blood at risk like that, while keeping themselves safely on the pavement!

[gilf]

Although I don't think there is a specific law as sft42 points to in California I have always been under the impression that a RTA is always the drivers fault and people are allowed to cross the road where ever they like.

[coggles]

I don't have a problem with people crossing the road 'wherever they want' as long as it is done so safely and without endangering their offspring, (or mine if I had to suddenly swerve and had an accident) because someone has decided they are crossing the road, now - whether I like it or not. They are making their babies jaywalkers before they have the chance to walk.

[andy hughes]

I don't think it is quite as cold-blooded as putting your child at risk to get traffic to stop. If you watch, a lot of adult pedestrians hover with one foot in the road, it's a subconcious wish to get across the road, and I believe this extends to pushing buggies off the kerb. I'm not for one moment advocating the action - merely giving an explanation for why it happens, with the hope that it is subconcious behaviour, rather than simple disregard for safety.

[Kit]

OK. I am one of the evil buggy-pushing hordes.
Firstly, I will make it clear that I do not, categorically, use my daughter's buggy to stop the traffic or wait for me.
Secondly, I am a responsible mother who, like everyone else, has to make compromises when the ideal situation is not practical or feasible.
Trying to cross a busy road, I can't leave the buggy, step out into the road, make sure everything's clear and then get behind the buggy and push it across - if I do that, then the gap will have gone and we'll be waiting yet again. Walking backwards is not an option either.
Far from being "safe on the pavement", I am on tenterhooks and terrified that someone will lose control, not be concentrating etc and hit my daughter - are you seriously suggesting that any parent would put their own comfort and safety before their children's?
If anyone has a sensible, feasible alternative as to how I can cross busy roads quickly without having the buggy in front of me, I'd be glad to hear it. I'm as unhappy about it as you are.

[coggles]

Kit, I'm not saying all people who push buggies are evil. I have 2 children under 4 so I know how difficult it can be, especially when there are so many cars parked on pavements etc. I have read lots of answers from you in the past and you sound a very sensible person to me (and I am not trying to be patronising). It's the people who do it on open roads with no parked cars and just stand there with the buggy in the road while they wait for a space in the traffic. The same people who do it while waiting for the green man at a crossing. I just don't understand why the buggy can't be on the pavement too.

[Kit]

Cheers, Coggles, now I understand a bit more of what you're getting at, and will dismount from my high horse forthwith. :)
(PS I'm having difficulty fixing the scythes to the wheels of my Maclaren - any tips?)

[coggles]

Try the 007 - Bond site, they probably have retractable ones, but they might be a bit expensive. You could wrap some barbed wire round them?