Why Is It So Hard To Cross The Street? (& What You Can Do To Help)

[@strongtowns]

If you're sick of waiting to do something, why not see if there are people already doing the work that you can join up with? Click this link to get connected: strongtowns.org/local // Other helpful links are in the description!

[@enjoystraveling]

Nope I looked and unfortunately there’s not one near me new Orlando. There’s one in the county in Fort Lauderdale where I almost got hit in the crosswalk when I had the Greenwalk cross, but maybe it takes the a while to make changes

[@sintua]

Hilarious that y'all mention those flexible bollards in the middle of the road! I know that intersection where you're testing - nearby, just over on Wilson & Greenview there *was* a flexible bollard. Keep in mind this is a *side* street, only 2-lane with parking on the sides. Few weeks after that bollard was installed, it got hit so many times it broke off. City replaced it. That one got hit so many times it broke off. They replaced it, broke off again, replaced and broken... At this point I lost count, but the time between the bollard going back up seems to keep getting longer - it's been missing for half the year at this point. Think they gave up on pedestrians.

[@2EOGIY]

100% of collisions at the workplace happen to people wearing hi-vis. I realise this is a fallacy, but it proves this is not the only thing influencing collisions. In the UK, if you get to the ER, you will notice about the same number of people waiting who wear hi-vis as those who don't.

[@arthurhagen3826]

They should stop victim blaming. Drivers should be hold accountable.

[@catBoi_Finnbjorn]

Seriously please don't cross the street like this it's not safe. It's not a terrible stroad to do it on but please the nearly likely thing that will happen is someone will get rear ended. I don't want to read one day 'urbanist activist hit by car while filming'

[@rob123456hawke]

The biggest problem in the US is that many people have 0 experience being a pedestrian, they just can't relate. Every person that once attempted to cross a road like this, will have empathy and be more mindful and stop next time they are driving. I grew up in Europe and was used to constantly watching our for pedestrians. a few years of driving in houston tx, my driving habits changed to typical US driver attitude "pedestrians don't exist". But as soon as I had kids and we were out walking with the stroller, I realized how rough it is walking. So now I'm a much more considerate driver again.

[@SuburbanKween]

This is the comment 💯

[@felixthecat2786]

I agree. Most Americans don't walk at all and don't understand that they need to watch out for pedestrians.

[@jasonrhtx]

I’m from L.A. and now live in Houston. We travel every summer for 2 months to Europe, mostly Warsaw, London, and Paris, with family reunions in Italy, Portugal, and other countries. Pedestrians are the norm, at least closer to city centers, while suburbs ex-urbs are becoming more car-dependent, as bus services are being cut. Bicycling can be very good in the Netherlands, Denmark, and parts of Germany, and while it’s certainly better in Europe than the U. S., it’s still fairly dangerous to ride in many parts. We can gradually change American drivers’ mentalities with traffic slowing measures: flexible poles separating lanes at crosswalks, flashing red lights when pedestrians are crossing crosswalks, pedestrian-only blocks, especially in dense shopping and restaurant areas, and truly protected bike lanes, especially near school zones (and eventually connecting residential zones to retail zones).

[@JogBird]

same w cycling

[@__dane__]

As a native Houstonian, I have to mention that Houston drivers are the epitome of America’s worst drivers

[@alexanderwhittle7671]

When I saw the woman carrying the giant flag while crossing the street at 2:06, and how drivers still didn't slow down, I thought "How unfathomable is it that transportation agencies continue to focus on human error as the main cause of traffic fatalities, while almost never questioning the design of the street?"

[@Proudmid00stoyotacamryowner]

Are you talking about the invisible cars or the make believe cars?

[@kyle6426]

The only cars were on the other side of the road. They could easily get through well before she got to that side. What's the point of stopping for her in that instance?

[@bugsygoo]

It is also a question of culture. Try crossing the road in the UK. I've had drivers lock their wheels in order to stop at a zebra crossing in London.

[@WisdomRanger]

Because traffic engineers (and/or their politicians) are not following the standard hierarchy of controls for safety hazard elimination and mitigation.

[@laurent3415]

@@kyle6426 If you are in the car that first sees the pedestrian, you should stop. The car behind you often cannot see that pedestrian as easily as you, especially through your vehicle, giving them even less time to stop. Each vehicle further behind the first one to see the pedestrian has a harder and harder time seeing the pedestrian in time to stop.

[@CalebWillden]

"I have to stick myself out into traffic to see if someone will stop for me. Then, if they do, I have to give them the awkward 'Thanks for not killing me' wave." I feel so validated.😆

[@tubeincompetence]

Living in Sweden and I often wonder why some people wave thanking me for stopping. Punch me in the face if I don't stop instead :)

[@IDoThings490]

Forgot to mention that you then have to stand in the middle of the road and do that for the traffic going the other way

[@nuance9000]

I do it with my toddler. They wave and say 'bye-bye'. And drivers still cut us off 😮

[@tiktokjourney8472]

I can't count the number of times left turning drivers have almost run me over while in a crosswalk with the green light.

[@enjoystraveling]

@@tiktokjourney8472 Same here!!!

[@humanecities]

It is BAFFLING how inconsiderate people are to pedestrians. FEET FIRST!

[@strongtowns]

Love your video you posted today!

[@humanecities]

@@strongtowns thanks! I thought it was funny timing 🤣 Great minds!

[@Dukenukem]

It is seriously baffling, do every driver has that great ensurance for hitting somebody with the US healthcare so expesive? If we take the human aspect of running someone over out of the equation.... isn't it ruining you financially for life? (or if you have mandatory ensurance like we do in CZ enlighten me)

[@F.a797]

Feet First 🤤

[@peopleofearth6250]

Just stop going outside. Problem solved.

[@karljuwde3877]

As a cyclist I have witness cars become more aggresive in recent years. I don't know what it is about a car that makes people into lunatics, but they are everywhere!!

[@inuendo6365]

A friend in Cali told me a driver got so pissed at having to pass a cyclist on the Pacific Highway he turned around and killed the guy. The cyclist was a doctor no less

[@sofiezooms]

They're like unsocialized because they're always isolated from other people. iron cages. humans need each other for interaction. that loneliness makes some forget that everyone else on the road is equal to them.

[@karljuwde3877]

@@sofiezooms I agree 100%

[@TitouFromMars]

Look up the old Disney cartoon "Googy - motor mania" from 1950 and you'll see that this is nothing new !

[@deus_ex_machina_]

@@TitouFromMars I was just about to recommend that short film!

[@morsmitt3126]

I think you should do a video about distractions in cars, like big screens inside. In my country, you get a ticket for using a smartphone while driving, but no one talks about big, distracting built-in car smartphones. I used to be able to change the temperature without looking, but now I have to search for it on the touchscreen, which takes time and diverts my attention from the road

[@DrGlynnWix]

Ugh, I hate the shift to non-tactile controls! I used to be able to change the A/C control without looking because I knew which button did what. Now I have to look at so much stuff to manage basic things in my car. I hate it.

[@wohlhabendermanager]

Oh man, I once had a loan car from a repair shop where I brought my car for a routine inspection. There was a freaking huge screen inside that partially blocked my view to the right side, and the screen couldn't be moved. I don't know what the designers where thinking, and I am just glad I only drove this car for a few miles on a straight priority road. It was still very unsettling to have this huge screen in my field of vision all the time.

[@LordSandwichII]

I think there needs to be a law that requires key functions to be accessed with a physical button, such as: -front wipers and screenwash -indicators -horn -hazard lights -windows -door release -mute radio -reject call The centre screens should be required to lock and either black out or only display essential information above 5 mph, unless a passenger is present.

[@derickcastillo9083]

You have inspired me! I live Albuquerque New Mexico. Right after watching this video, I called my state representative, Andres Romero and my county commissioner, Steven Michael Quezada to see if they are agreeable to making the kind of structural changes that you advocate on your channel.

[@Brokeahoof]

I believe you also have a local conversation in ABQ. Please join up with them if you can.

[@franklehouillier8865]

What astounds me about NM law is that the way the law is currently written drivers aren’t required to yield for pedestrians unless they are already in the road.

[@derickcastillo9083]

Yes you are correct, New Mexico has a long way to go in many areas of safety and transportation. I have just read the Vision Zero Plan by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kellor’s office. This document has all of the policies that channels like Strong Towns, City Nerd and Not Just Bikes advocate for. I was happy to see at least someone in government has done their homework. Is this document just lip service, or is it an actual commitment to sustainability and safety? New Mexico and Albuquerque are rated as some of the most dangerous places in the country. We have to make changes!@@franklehouillier8865

[@derickcastillo9083]

Yes you are correct, New Mexico has a long way to go in many areas of safety and transportation. I have just read the Vision Zero Plan by Albuquerque Mayor Tim Kellor’s office. This document has all of the policies that channels like Strong Towns, City Nerd and Not Just Bikes advocate for. I was happy to see at least someone in government has done their homework. Is this document just lip service, or is it an actual commitment to sustainability and safety? New Mexico and Albuquerque are rated as some of the most dangerous places in the country. We have to make changes!

[@mrosskne]

lmao ain't shit gonna happen

[@TheStickCollector]

It seems our streets are the first place we can start improving

[@falsemcnuggethope]

Once the streets have visible cues that set an expectation for pedestrians on the street, the culture will start to change. By starting small, you may end up changing everything.

[@MrFlakered]

i like how its up to the person moving at less than 5mph to be more aware vs the person going 20-60+ mph in a 2 ton car.

[@kev2034]

Moreover the fact that pedestrians using their phone is considered an issue by drivers is so dumb. A ped looking at their phone and walking wouldn't kill anyone but distracted drivers are somehow let off with a slap on the wrist for admitting in court they weren't paying attention.

[@willythemailboy2]

The person moving at less than 5 mph is far more capable of stopping and/or turning to avoid a collision.

[@donkeykong315]

The person in the car 1) has enough money to own/lease a car and is therefore more important since money>no money and 2) is traveling faster and therefore the thing they are going to must be more important. /s

[@scruf153]

car owners lives are more important

[@brucenadeau2172]

because it is harder for a driving at 20-60 mph to see a small person then for a person to see a big car the car has to be watching sevral directions at once

[@MusiMasterJam]

The issue that you have not addressed is apathy/entitlement. I live in a small town, not a big city, and yet the situation is no different. People don't "not notice" the crosswalk or the person who wants to cross. They know that it is there and they DO NOT CARE. They feel entitled to continue their drive without stopping because they feel that the roads are meant to serve cars, not pedestrians, and pedestrians can darn well wait. According to the law where I live, it is not even necessary to step out into the crosswalk to stop traffic; all that is necessary is to stand on the sidewalk and point across the crosswalk and every car on the road is legally obliged to stop, but I have never seen it work, and there is no enforcement. Changing the design of roads may help in some ways, but it will not change the entitlement issue. What needs to change is the norms and values around our the relative priority of vehicles and pedestrians (and probably enforcement). In my small town, there is absolutely no question that additional law enforcement personnel monitoring crosswalks and issuing fines would pay for itself several times over.

[@chrisstarlitvagabond1496]

Making every crosswalk a speed bump (raised crosswalks or continuous sidewalks) is one way to make sure traffic slows down. True, the entitlement issue does need to change so these can be installed without a minor riot. For me, it started with realizing that I'm going to get to my destination much faster when driving than someone who's walking on foot, so what's waiting a few seconds for their safety? Alternately stated, is shaving a few seconds off my trip worth taking someone's life?

[@katrinhasnolife]

It's not just a small town thing. I live in a city and have seen people speed up to crosswalks with people crossing, slam into the plastic Ballard's and keep going, or just the usual refusing to stop for entire lights. Right turn lanes can make you wait forever sometimes or slip roads. They banned traffic cams in our city so maybe that's part of it but they do not care or are sometimes actively hostile.

[@nicoleguiboche8135]

You've just described my city.

[@ragnkja]

Changing the design of the road to a street, where things are on a human scale, could help, because it’s understandable that drivers feel like a road that looks like a motorway is _their_ place, whereas a real street (as opposed to a stroad) doesn’t exude the same “this is a place for cars” energy.

[@brucenadeau2172]

entitlement goes both ways ii seen people to lazy to walk to the cross walk just walk out into the middle of road

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

As you briefly mentioned, just like neighboring Hoboken, Jersey City has also implemented Vision Zero! Jersey City was the first in New Jersey to implement Vision Zero with an executive order signed by Steven Fulop in 2018, and in 2022, the city realized zero car-crash fatalities on city-owned streets, the first city of its size in the country to accomplish this! Rather than concentrate pedestrian safety improvements in a single area downtown, Jersey City worked with Street Plans and pursued interventions across six corridors, one in each of Jersey City’s six wards. Thus, they not only built trust across different constituencies, but was able to experiment and did it fast through tactical urbanism and committed local leadership. Under Fulop, Jersey City also became the first in NJ to have a bikeshare system when Citi Bike expanded to Jersey City in 2015, while it expanded to Hoboken in 2021. To go with this, Fulop worked with community activists to implement a comprehensive Bike Master Plan that includes a complete protected bike lane system and has implemented the steps to create a safe environment with miles of safe corridors! Jersey City is an example of a transit city in North America done right, and that's not talking about how much development has popped up in Hudson County thanks to both the HBLR and PATH and how pedestrianized downtown Jersey City has become!

[@racool911]

I go to college in Hoboken and I absolutely love how easy it is to get around in both cities

[@partyinpiplup7883]

New Jersey is probably the best state on walkability and transit, yet there's still so much more to do so owning a car isn't a necessity in most of the state.

[@Droidman1231]

I read a study that, on an unsignalized crosswalk across two lanes, drivers are 80% likely to stop if they are going up to 20 mph, but less than 20% if they're going 30 or more. Now add higher speeds, wider lanes and more lanes, and it gets dismal quick. Slower speeds, fewer lanes, narrower crossings help with so many things, but I feel like city's are more likely to say "We're keeping all the lanes and speeds high, so we need to build a signal, but that's too expensive, so status quo it is"

[@popenieafantome9527]

Those signals also need to be maintained. Pretty sure the one by where i live is busted. Two of them on separate streets will take about 10 minutes to change and allow a pedestrian to cross. Those buttons to cross the street are decorations most of the time. Stop signs are only slightly better. Plenty stop past the cross walk, most only slow down but never stop, and then there are the ones that stop for a second before continuing regardless if some began to walk.

[@liamness]

Given all this, an uncontrolled crossing like the one used for the "experiment" in the video is basically doomed. Higher speeds and multiple lanes just make it very unlikely that drivers are going to stop. Ideally you would have kerb build outs *and* signals at such a location. It's incredible that signals are seen as too expensive in such a location. What's the cost of maintaining all that tarmac?

[@gentronseven]

Look how long the road he was on is on the map, it's miles and miles long. That's the problem, traffic needs to be diverted to a highway. There probably is no alternative highway for people to take, so to make the street safe to cross, a highway would have to be built and then the local roads could have all traffic slowed down to 20 mph. This is all fundamentally a problem with how cities are designed in the US to take up too much space.

[@middlemuse]

I work with young adults with developmental disabilities trying to help them gain life skills. We spend a ton of time teaching them how to cross the street…and there’s just absolutely no way to teach them to do it safely without support. Traffic is just too unpredictable.

[@peopleofearth6250]

Stop going outside then.

[@organa1626]

​@@peopleofearth6250 What an amazing solution, you should run for president

[@peopleofearth6250]

@@organa1626 I should 😎

[@sirjmo]

I guess that's because there's adults of all ages with developmental disabilities behind the wheel too, because everyone is forced to drive in the usa. Culture and street design will have to change for people to be the priority again, not cars.

[@dogdad1997]

@@sirjmo not sure if you're being serious, but yeah you're right. I can technically drive, but anything other than like a rural 2 lane highway or near empty suburban street is usually too overwhelming for me to do well. I still did have to drive to work for awhile before I got a wfh job, and while I never hurt anyone, it definitely was not safe. I bike or walk or take the disappointingly infrequent bus now and It's pretty limiting but certainly safer.

[@gjhilly]

This stuff is so radicalizing to me, especially with an infant daughter who I want to raise to not be afraid of the world around her. We have become all too complacent with the risks inherent in ceding our cities to cars. I live in Chicago and travel near the featured intersection often. I always make sure to stop, but others rarely do. I need to join the local chapter this year and get active, thank you for all you do.

[@jyutzler]

It's the wrong message. The world is a dangerous place and that's why you need to pay attention.

[@enjoystraveling]

When you were standing in the middle of the lane that looked especially dangerous, because most of the car drivers just didn’t care and then even when the ones that stopped for you, the ones in the other lane, could not see you and might hit you anyway if they drove.

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

Here's another thing that is common back in my homeland of Ukraine, which I was quite shocked to not see pretty much anywhere in the US: mixed-use resodential-commercial areas that have sidewalks wider than the car road.

[@willythemailboy2]

You won't find residential-commercial mixed use pretty much anywhere in North America, at least not at any scale. The best you can hope for is 5+1 apartment blocks (3-5 floors of apartments over 1 floor of commercial space) around college campuses, explicitly marketed to college students.

[@chromie6571]

If it benefits humans you prolly won’t find it here

[@maximilienrobespierre7927]

@@willythemailboy2 Sadly... In Ukraine it's usually huge commie blocks 5-9 floors high, with stores and cafes and stuff on the first floor. Also, my comment was mainly about the sidewalk sizes.

[@sdsk8rboi]

In San Diego, the typical sidewalk is less than half the width of one lane and the typical neighborhood street is five lanes wide with no daylighting.

[@willythemailboy2]

@@sdsk8rboi An urban sidewalk like that is typically 6-8 feet wide (1.8 - 2.4 m) with a standoff distance from both the road and the building. In strictly residential areas or smaller cities sidewalks are rarely wider than the 36 inches/90 cm width required by ADA.

[@pull_up_the_roots]

We moved from Portland, OR to Minneapolis a couple years ago and the driving behavior couldn't be more different between the two cities. Both cities are known for their extensive biking infrastructure and outdoorsy parks and walkable areas, but the design speed of the roads and the sizes of the city blocks make a huge difference in driving culture. Portland's streets aren't nearly as wide, and the blocks themselves are much more compact, so crossing them on foot or by bike feels comfortable and you feel more visible as a person who's not in a giant metal box. Cars also tended to be moving more slowly on neighborhood streets because people seemed more accustomed to sharing the road with people who weren't in cars. Walking around our neighborhood in Portland, motorists on both sides of the street would frequently stop to allow my husband and me to cross. I'd never experienced this kind of visibility and courtesy before moving from Texas. The opposite seems to be the case here in Minneapolis where roads are wide enough to accommodate snowplows and free street parking on either side of major thoroughfares around the city. If you stand at a pedestrian crossing, you wait however long it takes for all the cars to pass before you *might* get a chance to dash across the 3 lane stroad. To be fair, I've had a handful of car drivers pause and wave me across, but I know Minneapolis can do better. So many of our roads look like the pedestrian crossing in this video, and drivers frequently ignore pedestrians. I think we need to make our roads narrower with plantings, pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs, chicanes and anything we can get to increase the complexity of the street to make drivers behave more safely.

[@Gigarayzor]

Watching him cross that street was so anxiety inducing. Honestly one of the bravest things I've seen a youtuber do, and I watch urban parkour channels.

[@jyutzler]

You know how some countries do "safety of navigation" boat trips to ensure the waterways are safe for other shipping traffic? I feel like I'm doing the same thing when I walk around in my neighborhood. I've stared people down, jumped out of the way, and yelled at scofflaws. I feel like it is all I can do to normalize prioritizing pedestrians.

[@whophd]

Been saying since 2010: Treat every driver like they’re blind, drunk and texting Never mind “the floor is lava” - I play a game of “today I’m Mr Invisible”

[@nickklavdianos5136]

There are two very easy ways to lose faith in humanity. Reading history, and driving. Always assume at every time that drivers around you (doesn't matter if you're driving or on foot) are terrible at driving, have a natural tendency to do something stupid, and they WILL try to kill you. I got that punched into my brain when I got overtaken in a one lane road, in a blind left turn, inside a populated area.

[@SianaGearz]

So it's ok that crossing the street is exactly like the classic game Frogger?

[@agentzapdos4960]

@@SianaGearz It's not okay, just like it's not okay that the homeless population is increasing every month without fail. Unfortunately, the people in power want it this way, so we have no choice but to accept it.

[@SianaGearz]

@@agentzapdos4960 The reason it's "not possible" is political apathy. It can be overcome. But it's going to be quite difficult.

[@davidwright7193]

@@agentzapdos4960 It can change if you slow down and always stop for pedestrians on zebra crossings. That is the action you can and should take. The first law change needed is to make it legal to cross the road again. Then you need to start prosecuting those who don’t stop for pedestrians at zebra crossings. Finally change the legal penalties so that driving bans rather than fines are the norm for driving offences. That for serious offences you have to go through the learning process and tests again along with all post test restrictions. Then make driving while disqualified an automatic prison sentence longer than the ban.

[@nickklavdianos5136]

I have experience mostly as pedestrian but also as a driver, and I have to say: A large part of the problem here is definitely the roads themselves. When a road has more than two lanes, it's very wide, thus harder to cross, and it encourages higher speeds from the drivers. At that point, the only place you can safely cross the road is at traffic lights. A rule of thumb is that, if cars are going more than 50kph, they are unlikely to stop. Going at that speed, maybe they don't have time to react if they spot the pedestrian at the side of the street relatively late. Heavy traffic exacerbates the issue, because drivers are afraid that they might get rear ended when stopping. When in moderate to heavy traffic, cars are similar to a river, they just flow and there's hardly anything you can do to stop them. They'll only stop if there is a dam to stop them (traffic lights). That's the pedestrians perspective. Now, from the driver's perspective, I have to say, having to stop constantly, is a special kind of hell. Stop at traffic lights. Stop at stop signs. Stop at pedestrian crossings. You might need to start and stop four times in 500 meters. That's just uncomfortable. Cars are meant to keep moving. The best solution I think is to try and limit the interactions between cars and pedestrians. Try to make sure that they only happen at traffic lights or narrower roads. Generally, try to limit traffic in pedestrian heavy environments like city centres and try to make it safer for pedestrians to walk in more car oriented environments.

[@felixthecat2786]

I agree. Our roads are so poorly designed for both pedestrians and drivers. Drivers often can see pedestrians, can't stop, or don't really want to stop as if feels like an obstacle.

[@neurodeviant]

I wonder if it's a little like the way crowd crushes happen at concerts. The incentive to back off from moving forward is negligible compared to the reason to maintain forward momentum.

[@brucenadeau2172]

which you should do it takes a vehicle several feet to stop

[@jyutzler]

The problem with this is that intersections are the most dangerous places for pedestrians. Mid-block crossings are safer because cars have fewer degrees of freedom. I know it is uncomfortable for the driver, but I am becoming increasingly ambivalent to their plight. Just yield already.

[@paulgrieger8182]

I am a semi truck driver. Last year, I was driving on a stroad, and a pedestrian was crossing from the island on the left. A car turning left (same direction of travel as me) stopped for the pedestrian, and so did the car traveling in the left lane. I was in the center lane, and so I also stopped. As the pedestrian was crossing, I watched in horror and disbelief as a car came flying up on the right (in a "right turn only except busses" lane). I leaned on the air horn, and considered steering right and mashing the throttle to cut off the idiot that was about to send the pedestrian flying like a rag doll. The man crossing stopped in front of my semi, and the car flew past, narrowly missing him. As a result, I feel I can no longer stop for people crossing the street because stopping is more dangerous than just driving on. It only works if everyone is on board.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

😮that is scary

[@electricerger]

My perspective is that drivers feel bad about obstructing the flow of traffic (which is also a crime in many places) and are stressed about the people behind them.

[@MrBirdnose]

I've nearly been rear-ended a couple times due to stopping for pedestrians that suddenly appeared.

[@shiplesp]

I notice that drivers will yield when I am walking my dog, but less so otherwise. And don't get me started on right on red situations. And stop lights don't work, since many drivers will roll right through. Maybe traffic cams so the offenders can be fined?

[@KimeeZM]

And booting or impounding cars with invalid plates.

[@benws8246]

Great video. Highlights the issues that we have to put up with in the UK too. I've long been saying that because the behaviour of drivers isn't improving here, we need proper segregated infrastructure. Paint is not infrastructure. As an example - my local highways department are widening roundabouts outside my town to address 'congestion'. They have refused to add pedestrian walkways or even signal controlled crossings due to cost and expense. Even though adding a single lane to the roundabouts is costing millions. One of the heads of the highways department even stated that signal controlled crossings will not be added - due to them disrupting traffic flow. I have to cross one of these roundabouts on my bicycle to get to work. The extra wide crossings are going to be a nightmare with no signals.

[@Celis.C]

As someone living in the Netherlands - the supposed 'bastion of urban planning and infrastructure safety - I can guarantee you that infrastructure will only get you so far. You _still_ need people to behave properly. This means policing. In the 7 years that I have lived in my current town, I have _never_ seen the police take care of heavy- and repeat-offenders. Hells, the _police are among the worst offenders_ here. Another big problem is that in big cities, the sense of community is heavily eroding. This is a systemic issue that needs as urgent attention as the infrastructural disaster that is the US.

[@zzzingrol]

I work at a facility that owns both sides of the street. This crossing is clearly marked with flashing lighs and signs just like in the video. No one stops. I have had people speed past cars that do stop because they are so impatient. It is apparent people are just out of control on the road because the consequences are not severe enough.

[@tay-lore]

I've officially stopped giving the "thanks for not killing me wave" for people recognizing the right of way. It's transitioned into a different hand-shape for the drivers who don't know what right of way is

[@KimeeZM]

100% with you. On one occasion I saw someone slap the mirror of a car that egregiously sped past pedestrians trying to cross.

[@KNosk826]

So much yes to this! A few years ago my city changed the default speed limit to 40 (from 50 km/h) as part of their vision zero efforts. They're making a lot of pedestrian friendly upgrades too. In summer 2022 I wrote my councillor (and mayor) praising some of the temporary pilot infrastructure at some cross walks I frequent. Fall 2023 construction was complete to make those changes permanent. When I wrote my councillor I made sure to mention that the changes made it easier for me to drive more safely not only just that it was a better walking experience. It's important for them to hear positive feedback from drivers.

[@aramisortsbottcher8201]

Its great you gave feedback and showed that people care 👍

[@alex2143]

When there's a crash in the Netherlands, the road is closed and police is sent out to investigate the crash, explicitly to see what could be done to make the street safer. I've heard in the US, the goal is just to clear the road and get traffic moving again. Almost like crashes and accidents are just to be expected, and a child sacrifice now and then is just the price of doing business.

[@willythemailboy2]

Not entirely true, it's just done in more of a batch form. At least in my city there's a yearly review to look at the intersections with more collisions or more serious collisions and plans are made to address issues then. From what I could find easily there have been two pedestrian fatalities in the past 3 years, and one of them involved an intoxicated man walking on an interstate highway closed to pedestrian traffic.

[@chrisstarlitvagabond1496]

That's exactly right. I was raised to be aware of the high risk of driving (and roads in general, to a lesser extent) while simultaneously being told "it's the price of modern transportation." Too many of us simply go along with what we know instead of thinking about how it can be improved. Honestly, there's a great fear of change, especially if other classes or races of people might benefit. It's a fear we all need to teach folks to critically examine and defuse.

[@__dane__]

I’m currently visiting Switzerland and I was shocked that EVERY SINGLE PERSON fully stops their car for pedestrians at any time (even when in the middle of rush hour traffic). Because I’m American I felt bad, like I had inconvenienced them by making them stop instead of waiting for a pause in traffic

[@LunitoJo]

I had almost the same experience when I visited Japan last month. A car had stopped for me and I felt like I had to rush myself across the street so the driver wouldn't have to wait on me.

[@maidbloke]

4:00 "Every single car right now is breaking the law." Nope. "Every single *driver* right now is breaking the law." Thanks for a great video.

[@i_shoot_stuff]

moving this summer. tired of walking my kid to school where parents drive and park on the sidewalk daily because waiting on people to pull into the drop off loop takes too long or driving 45+mph past when theres no congestion. the school cant even get an employee to do crossing guard because its just not safe.

[@Arginne]

Omg I saw this at my friends kids school. People literally parked on the effing sidewalk. It’s actually a crime. How can we walk around

[@Kaede-Sasaki]

Why would parents drive their kids to school? Are they infants? They take busses and trains where I'm from. American cities and suburbs would do well to implement. Not school busses, but all-purpose. Makes the kids behave better

[@Spoodsy]

In Sweden (at least in the cities I’ve lived in) we’re fortunate enough to have created a car culture where often, 9/10 cars stop even if they could have made it past a little before you. Don’t really know how we got here but it seemingly is possible and I find it very pleasant. I wish you all good luck with this in other places as well 🙂

[@jyutzler]

It's very city/town specific even in the US. Most parts are pretty bad but not all of them. There are parts where you (as a driver) are expected to stop and parts where you will get honked at if you stop.

[@Streetcraft]

Great video and such an important message! Glad I could be a part of it!

[@lukeciancio6195]

Hey Chuck, keep this guy. The content he (and I presume a team behind the scenes) produces is phenomenal, and a huge step up from your earlier content.

[@sejjr79ify]

We were brainwashed into thinking the car was the answer in American trasportation

[@Proudmid00stoyotacamryowner]

Is it somehow not?

[@louisnall3102]

@@Proudmid00stoyotacamryowneryes, refer to video above.

[@Proudmid00stoyotacamryowner]

@louisnall3102 What does the video prove? You're the one who's been brainwashed into believing somthing that makes life extremely easier is somehow a bad thing

[@JesusManera]

​@@Proudmid00stoyotacamryownerNo, it's not. Where I live I have most things I need within a 15 minute walk and it would actually be more of a hassle to drive than walk. If I go into downtown for work, a tram gets me door to door in 20 minutes. Driving would take 20-30 before then having to find extremely expensive parking. If I go to a concert or sports event in the arena precinct, the train takes 9 minutes from my nearest station and they run 24 hours, can get home at any time. All these options are easier, faster, cheaper, safer, healthier and less hassle than sitting in traffic and finding parking. Do we have a car? Yep. There are obviously some things we need it for including travel to areas not as well connected to PT, but it's not the best answer to 90% of our travel needs. Disclaimer: I don't live in the US but there's no reason US cities couldn't be the same.

[@Proudmid00stoyotacamryowner]

@@JesusManera What happens when you need to go to another town?

[@cIoudbank]

the crazy thing is that drivers in america dont stop, or slow down, or even go the same speed, they literally SPEED UP to try and cut you off.

[@AdrianMoran]

As a longtime Chicagoan, I'm pretty sure I would think the guy waving the giant flag on the roadside is trying to sell something. Those wide streets are really rough on pedestrians. Clark Street in Andersonville used a lot of these traffic calming redesigns, and it is much more pedestrian friendly now.

[@NATESOR]

I remember a study where wearing a bike helmet causes cars to crowd you more often because, "Drivers assume you're experienced enough to tolerate them crowding you." and/or "you're more likely to survive if they hit you." Probably the same with the hi-viz. Still use it and all, but it might backfire in some cases.

[@MongoosePreservationSociety]

I'm all "thanks for not killing me" waives

[@x10sam]

My neighborhood has tried (much to the chagrin of car owners) to implement things like bump outs using flexible bollards and the signs in the road. They are usually flattened within a couple of weeks. And this is a very pedestrian area. I walk to work every day. This means I'm nearly hit by a car every day. Even when I only cross at signals and when I have the walk signal.. Turning cars will decide they get to go even if I'm already in the street. Some will turn when I'm only a couple feet from their car. Making eye contact the whole time. On occasion I even see folks at red lights inch out until they just drive through it. If a traffic signal won't deter a driver from hitting me, what will? A cyclist was struck and killed by a drunk driver near me. No infrastructure changes were discussed let alone implemented. There were questions if the driver was going to be charged even though it was a hit and run and they were over the limit when eventually pulled over.

[@walktheearth7878]

Thank you so much for making this video. I live car-free in Chicago, and even in a very dense, walkable neighborhood, I feel very unsafe crossing the street sometimes. That crosswalk at Clybourn and Kenmore that connects Sheffield Neighbors to Aldi/Trader Joe's is out of control, especially considering that so many use it to go get groceries! I had a scare just today with a car that seemed very far away but was actually speeding around 50 mph. And you literally have to walk out into the street to get cars to see you. I can't imagine what it's like in parts of the US where drivers are far less used to pedestrians.

[@jandraelune1]

' Road Guy Rob ' has been talking about and pointing this out for yrs now. Even talking with the civial engineers themselves trying to address this. NIMBYs aren't an issue, its also not regulations either. Its 100% the drivers.

[@fearsomefawkes6724]

Drivers are an issue, but so are regulations an NIMBYs. Regulations determine what kinds and of roads get built where. They determine and reflect societal priorities. NIMBYs are a problem because there's a big overlap between the drivers that don't want changes and the people opposed to anything that doesn't clearly benefit car traffic.

[@LiiMuRi]

This is in big part a question of infrastructure (traffic calming, narrowing streets to slow speeds etc.), but also driving culture. I lived in Switzerland for a while, and often when I just approached a pedestrian crossing, not even close to stepping to the street, cars would already stop to let me cross. Not everyone, but most. I myself mostly walk or ride a bike, and when I drive, I try to make an effort to keep an eye on the pedestrian and cyclists and give them way, because I know how it is for them on the road. And I'm sitting in a car, basically a sofa on wheels, it's no effort for me to slow down! It's just that if you only drive and never walk or cycle, you don't see how your behavior affects others. So we need better street design, but also to get people out of their cars and walking more.

[@tristanridley1601]

In Canada ten years ago I sometimes had to wave cars on, to make them speed up again when I was NOT using the crosswalk, just accidentally nearby. Now, living in Scarborough (inner Toronto suburb) I get almost run over regularly. Things change fast. Hopefully soon it will be for the better.

[@colinneagle4495]

I honestly gasped in horror when the footage appeared showing the same cars who sped right past a human being they ignored were able to modify their behavior to avoid a large sewer grate in the exact same area. This shows how drivers ARE able to pay attention to their surroundings, and thus the problem for pedestrians isn't distractions or visibility it's values. Values of a car culture that let drives believe that they (and the giant potential killing machines they control) are important and deserve priority in the streetscape while the fellow human beings who walk those same streets deserve nothing, not the feeling of safety, and not even their own lives. Until we prove that a driver's right to convenience is not more important than a pedestrian's right to live we will continue to have preventable deaths. No about of fancy flashing lights, neon signs, or waving flags will compensate for what's wrong in driver's hearts and minds.

[@doc.rankin577]

If you're gonna build a stroad, like you really want to build one, I know how to do it. On each end of the pedestrian crossings, put a button that pedestrians can press when they want to cross. When pressed, those crash proof poles come up out of the ground (the ones that can stop cars when they smash into them). Any cars that attempt to ignore the crossing will immediately run into those poles causing catastrophic damage to the car, the driver, the pedestrian, the traffic, etc. This is how we take the caution from the pedestrian and put it back onto the drivers. You could also avoid all of this unnecessary infrastructure by just making normal roads as well.

[@enjoystraveling]

Last week I was in Fort Lauderdale and I was almost hit by a car turning right. I was in the crosswalk and I had the green signal to cross, and there actually are signs on the main shopping street that say you must yield to pedestrians, apparently they didn’t bother to read the sign.

[@JordanB-zp7ps]

this happens to me regularly, all over los angeles county... you really have to creep out there and keep a serious eye on people coming up in the turn lane before you cross (on a ped signal!) because there's just zero guarantee that any of them will yield like they're legally obligated to, or even be looking where they're driving. so many drivers trying to make a right turn on a red light will CRANE their necks to the left to keep an eye on through traffic so that THEY don't get hit by a car - and will fully execute a blind right turn, looking over their left shoulder, driving right through a signaled crosswalk without even once looking to see where they're going, or if there might be a pedestrian in that crosswalk 🙄

[@enjoystraveling]

@@JordanB-zp7ps Wow you described it perfectly why a bad driver would execute a right turn, while , a walker would be in the crosswalk!! So dangerous for the walkers really needs to be a different design. That’s prevents car drivers from doing that. Such as maybe even a law against turning right on red unless you’re out in the countryside.

[@brucenadeau2172]

the problem is they wore to busy trying to rea the sign they could not see you

[@WetDoggo]

POCKET ROCKS!! the solution is pocket rocks. Everyone taking your right to actually live in a city gets some free rock samples.

[@WilliamWeaver-rh7dv]

OK cam

[@Shifter_Cycling]

Thanks for risking your body for the sake of this video 😆. And I love the call-to-action at the end. Strong Towns continues to inspire!

[@ryancraig2795]

The city of Halifax, NS had a rash of pedestrian fatalities back in the early 90s. They made it a law that any place that anywhere a pedestrian indicated their desire to cross was to be treated as a crosswalk. And got the police out enforcing the existing laws. After that it quickly got to the point that Halifax drivers would stop for anyone who even looked like they wanted to cross the road. They also added a lot more crossing lights at "official" crosswalks mid block. Not sure if it's still like that. Nova Scotia drivers were always pretty chill, generally. Not like in our near the big cities, like where I live now.

[@kbrennan3836]

I almost killed a child while driving in Hawaii. It was a relatively remote road - two lanes, two-way traffic, just jungle on one side and a gas station on the other. 50 mph speed limit. I wasn't speeding, I wasn't distracted. A fourteen-year-old boy walking a bike suddenly stepped out of the bushes and was in the middle of the lane. Had to swerve and almost crash to not kill him. In the rearview, I realized there was a crosswalk painted on the road. No signal, no stop sign, no signage of any kind, just white stripes on the road telling people "cross here." I never saw it because I wasn't looking for it - it never crossed my mind that anyone would put a crosswalk on a road like that without anything else to slow down the traffic. So, some kid almost died trying to go buy a candy bar from a gas station.

[@tbp0701]

A few years ago I stopped for a crossing pedestrian in a small town center, which infuriated the man driving a pickup behind me. He leaned on the horn then tailgated me to the E-Check station. I got out of the car, prepared for an altercation, but upon seeing me, he turned away like, "Oh, nothing." I was much larger than he, especially then. I let it go. A rather nice bike/pedestrian trail has since been built through that town, which I frequently use. While the crossings are well marked, with large Yield signs and flashing lights, very few drivers stop. I feel a bit guilty when someone stops in one lane but no one does in the other.

[@53D0N4]

Part of asserting dominance in a pedestrian crosswalk is having confidence and taking yourself seriously. You weren't exactly taking yourself seriously during your 'experiment'

[@verdiss7487]

Implement flashing light signs only if they come paired with speed cameras automatically ticketing anyone who drives through a flashing light. We have the technology to stop the casual disregard for traffic law.

[@joe42m13]

Great idea. Ticketing someone for driving through a protected crossing is a great way to make drivers aware, and fast.

[@venusmask]

My philosophy for now is, make them stop without hurting myself. I feel like if enough people do it then drivers will be more aware. And honestly, they dont stop for you even when you have a cross walk or big yellow signs.

[@BlownMacTruck]

100% this.

[@deschmichael]

I am happy to see this getting attention here - the amount of risk (and time!) it takes to simply cross a crosswalk in US urban areas is mind numbing. Pedestrians are de-prioritized over and over again. Often, lights at an intersection will even cycle more than once for vehicles before pedestrians get the right of way (Minneapolis, MN).

[@richardknouse618]

In Kalispell Montana drivers always look for and stop for pedestrians. It took a bit of time for me to get used to that. I think it is a matter of attitude.

[@NopeAce631]

people dont care about each other, the news and politics has us all against eachother, this translates into everything we do.

[@elismith7599]

It’s so funny how easy a lot of this stuff is, especially bump outs and daylighting. It gives me hope that we’re coming up with solutions that don’t take millions of dollars, just some paint and plastic! That makes it so much easier to actually convince cities to actually do something

[@Armadous]

I believe most US drivers think they have the right of way over pedestrians standing in a crosswalk without a light, unless the pedestrian is physically in their path. Drivers often feel the pedestrian has acted wrongly if they have to use their brakes.

[@IvanPompa-lr7iy]

Another thing that works as a vicious cycle in the US and Canada is that, since almost nobody crosses the stroad because of the dangerous it is, the drivers are less used to see pedestrians in the edge of the sidewalks as "people with intention to cross" and maybe 1)dont look at them, or 2) think "meh, he is just standing there for whatever reason i dont give a f***"

[@oldbrokenhands]

I wear a reflective harness, bright LED light, and a body cam. The body cam seems to be the only thing people notice.

[@Baselle]

A Seattle cop just got away with running over a pedestrian while speeding.

[@FamousByFriday]

The only thing I may disagree with is the mention that people see the pot hole. I think it’s likely that they’ve hit that pot hole before (maybe a few times) then after going there every day, they learn to go around it… or they notice the car in front of them is doing it.

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

In SF CA one of the vanpool passenger got hit by one of those travel busses. It was 6am and the crosswalk said walk. Everyone saw it. I just learned not to cross even when it says walk right away. If someone his me and I servive it, they won't be as "lucky" when I'm done with them! I'm use to it because I'm in the city BUT it's no excuse for bad mindless driving!😢

[@jankoodziej877]

The only one thing that works is punishment. When they increased punishments substantially for not yielding to pedestrians here in Poland, it suddenly, from one day to the next, changed drivers behaviour dramatically. It is now very uncommon for drivers to not yield. What is shown in the first part of the video would not happen here.

[@kennethridesabike]

You and Uytae from About Here are some of the best story tellers in the urbanism space. Keep up the great work!

[@sammyrice1182]

I am proud of my country's meager crosswalks, infant mortality, healthcare costs, rubbish public transport, gun violence, money in politics, non-representative government, corporate dominance of the public airwaves, poor social safety net, worship of celebrities, suburban sprawl, food wrapped in plastic, drive-through junk food, obesity, diabetes, direct drug advertising, untreated addiction, automobile violence, stratospheric income inequality, and oh the crappy movies. Any questions?

[@ShazyShaze]

In the six months I've lived in my current house I've almost been hit more times than I can count on one hand crossing the crosswalk down the street. It's ridiculous.

[@ToomanyFrancis]

I personally am a huge fan of everybody doing their best traffic cone cosplay just to walk to the market.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Here in Toronto the backlash against the implementation of Vision Zero Safe Street conversions has been unbelievable. Despite the obvious benefits, loud voices resist implementation and actively clamor for their removal. Staying safe is an ongoing and seemingly neverending struggle.

[@tristanridley1601]

Are you a part of the solution? Toronto is pretty split right now, and we need every compassionate voice. In Scarborough Southwest we lost the recent byelection by just 800 votes, to a candidate who ran on opposing the city bike lane plan. Can't write more though, as I have to get ready to catch my bus to the local Strong Towns meeting at noon. :)

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

@tristanridley1601 Indeed! I am a member of Cycle Toronto, have been involved in pro-bike-lane mass rides, have been actively involved in Complete Streets consultations and have been emailing support to my councillor, Amber Morley (who is a great advocate of Vision Zero, Complete Streets and bike lanes). 😀

[@angellacanfora]

My new favorite ST vid. This is something I think a lot about since going car-free here in LA about a year ago. I live close to shops so you would think my livin' would be easy but it's not. I have to cross a 10-lane boulevard to get to these shops. Cars sometimes go up to 60mph on it. I've lost count of how many times I've nearly been flattened. Just the other day, I nearly lost my foot to a ginormous F150 pickup truck. It's terrifying. And the way people in their cars act like I'm an idiot for walking and getting in their way. Just unbelievable.

[@newfelo]

As a Chilean, now I understand why there are so many videos olwith tourists amazed by our pedestrian crossings, here the pedestrian always has the right of way.

[@zyxwut321]

We accept this because we fundamentally believe respectable people drive and less respectable people walk and ride a bicycle to places. Outside of urbanists, many Americans still think of walkable places as exotic and foreign to them and driving as the fundamental default. Changing that paradigm and mentality is going to take time and experience, with people who grew up in suburbs experiencing walkable infrastructure one person at a time.

[@Pastamistic]

Thank you for this excellent content. Because of Strong Towns I did get more involved with my city's planning process and contacting local officials about a year ago. Change is painfully slow but it's picking up some momentum.

[@TrevyBurgess]

My car has a horrible blind spot. It's the slanting bar on the left side of the windshield. It completely blocks pedestals trying to cross in front of me. I come to a seemingly clear intersection, and then I see the person, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. On narrow streets, I literally have to learn forward to make sure the street is clear.

[@Abrothers12]

You should update your manufacturer about that

[@TrevyBurgess]

​@@Abrothers12 My car is the Honda Fit. The windshield supports are sloped for reduced air drag and fat with air bags. This probably affects all modern cars.

[@ksenss2513]

​​@@TrevyBurgess That is a problem. A lot of US cars are not allowed on european streets or have to be adapted for sale in europe as they lack mandatory safety features for pedestrians or people on bikes. It's about free vision but also about the way the bonnet is designed etc. The US cars are very safe for the drivers though....

[@curiousfirely]

Every time I see the flashing pedestrian lights, I sing the safety dance in my head. It makes the existential dread a little more fun.🎉

[@grahameve3564]

I was having this conversation with people just yesterday. As a police car making a left turn hit a pedestrian in Toronto yesterday. The comments on the video were nothing but victim blaming. What a mess of a place we have designed

[@izzylee64]

I live by a street that's made these kinds of improvements and I love it. It was a very dangours street for pedestrians and a lot of children have been hit and some even died crossing or riding down it while on a bike. It's only a trial run so most of it is temporary and could be gone by the end of the year but I hope it stays and is replaced with more permanent measures. They narrowed the road with a bike lane that's separated by plastic delineators. My mom complains about it what feels like every single time she drives down the street and it annoys me because the changes actually haven't changed the flow of car traffic at all down that street.

[@DonovanHunt-o6v]

Recently visited Boston and stayed in a Doubletree in Chelsea. To get into the city, I would take the tea line commuter rail from Chelsea to North Station, where the Amtrak that took me from Portland Maine was from there I could access the green or orange line. The running joke I had with my travel compatriot was the metro takes 30 minutes 15 across the street to get to it and then the remaining 15 to get to the destination.

[@LeftoverHamsters]

I walked a mile to work and back for years, and the best way in my experience to get people to stop, is just to walk out into the road. They SEE you, they just do not care to stop if they don't HAVE to. Obviously this isn't a solution, but it I didn't do it, my walk would take twice as long. I also would cross mid block as much as possible. Even without a crosswalk of any sort, it was safer for me than crossing at fully signalized intersections WITH crosswalks and flashing lights.

[@jamarswope2341]

I just want to say that I love Strong Towns and hiring you as a video producer was fantastic! And not just the producer, but everyone who works on this channel, it’s helped spread the good word so much! Thank you!

[@namenamenamename7224]

I can't stress enough how few people in the US walk literally anywhere, ever. I've met multiple friends during college in the midwestern US who had literally never walked from their front door to a restaurant or a grocery store in their life prior to college.

[@allison4882]

Indeed, the first time I traveled to a grocery store from home without using a car to get there was in college. I was 22

[@matthewmurray7428]

I experience this all the time. It's insane.

[@1958zed]

I nearly got nailed on my daily walk yesterday when a young woman sped up to the intersection eager to make a right turn on red. She was looking left and I was about to step into the crosswalk on the passenger side of her car (i had the walk signal on the light). She just rolled through the intersection without stopping and, when she finally turned her head to the right to aim her car, she finally saw me frantically waving and looking directly into her eyes. The look on her face was priceless and I think she 💩 herself seeing how close she came to hitting me. It would be interesting to know how much right-turn-on-red contributes to pedestrian injuries.

[@jonathanleonard1152]

Driver focus is important to understand. Most drivers once they see they will make a light or their way through an intersection immediately focus on the next light or intersection. In doing this their eyes are on the traffic and not on pedestrians, particularly if the pedestrian is using a mid block crossing. We have it relatively easy here, where I live, however it is still difficult to get the attention of drivers. Design is very important. There are new signal systems that are less expensive and obvious to see. We do have new strobing lights on demand for pedestrian crossings, but not enough.

[@txnycali]

In Sweden, the pedestrian and biking lanes are raised. This means you have to slow down when driving over a cross walk otherwise you'll damage your car. Also the roads are often narrower and are fewer lanes, which makes most drivers feeling uncomfortable driving at high speeds, therefore drivers drive slower.

[@allanwarsing]

Here in Germany it is rare, very rare, a car doesn't stop for a zebra crossing. Even when cars are making the right turn at a light crossing, you can feel safe crossing the zebra. As an American I can confidently argue that people vote against their own interests time and time again because of only two reasons: (1) party affiliation, as in 'owning the libs' for example or (2) money, as in keep my property taxes low, need to make sure the police have military equipment, meeting the debt service on municipal bonds from over-borrowing, and dozens of other reasons tax money is spent on things other than making the lives of people easier to live. Then there is the racism that prevents investments in public transportation, because who needs a bus since everyone already has a car, right. And then there is the incomprehensible decisions of handing out tax incentives to build a football stadium or create an 'opportunity zone' where BigCorp gets to build a warehouse with a 10-year tax moratorium or expecting housing developers to install streets and infrastructure as a condition of permitting (which we all know leads to building higher priced single-family homes). The people who are getting hit by cars crossing the streets are the same people who vote for the representative government that refuses to take action after their election. Oh, and America let's 16yo people drive a car without proper training…again because it would be too 'expensive' and restrict car ownership (and the driver training in Germany is off the charts more comprehensive than in the US, some states even allow for an online driver training…yeah.) You get what you vote for, it seems.

[@sirjmo]

Part of it also is a lack of "ontvlechten", mixing roads and streets into stroads, causing attention fatigue. When I was learning to drive in the netherlands, I was mentally exhausted after driving through just streets for over an hour, as I had to be ready for anything to happen, meanwhile on roads I just had to pay attention to other cars, which tend to do be fairly predictable. As shown later in the video, it's mostly a design issue but I can't help but wonder if it's also a little education and culture. When suburbia rules the streets, no one wants to be outside of a car. Reduce the space for cars and they'll drive slower, they might even buy smaller cars. But as long as the roads are wide enough for f150's to pass each other you won't see change.

[@MathieuTechMoto]

Thank you for the video, Raised crosswalks should be a mandatory standard everywhere, not these crappy flags, infrastructive NEEDS to have physical protection for pedestrian, not paint or flags !

[@renecaminada5867]

INSANE... The only time we visit the USA it was for a very short visit (3 days). It is insane they people are stunned when you walk up and down town. A cab stopt next to us and ask if we need a ride. "No, we say. We walk." The guy in the car was like.. WTF, walking? We in the Netherlands do not know better it is normal to stop for people when they cross the road, special at pedestrian crossing. But hee... ours are so much more safe then those you try. In the Netherlands, every accident is also examined to determine whether the road where the accident occurred needs to be adjusted to make it safer for everyone. Not only for pedestrians, but also for motorists. A small adjustment can prevent accidents, municipalities are very effective in solving problems as quickly as possible. First with temporary solutions, then later with more definitive measures.

[@Omega0850]

I´m a weird person. On my way to work, (by foot) i always have to cross a busy street. There is a traffic light which i can activate via button, and the response time for the light is less than 10 seconds. Most of the time, i don´t press the button, because its just me, and i know i will stop quite some traffic. (hate the time- and energy-waste) Instead, i wait for an opening in traffic to safely cross, which usually costs me around 5-10 seconds more. (if i see it will be much more, i do press the button) This is a level of consideration and respect for those people - which i don´t know and will never interact with again - which i would like to see from the other side too... Luckily i do see it in car drivers too, but it may be the place i where i live in. (Germany) Most of those drivers are pedestrians too at least once and a while. They know how it feels to try to cross the street, and they cannot get angry at inconsiderate drivers without at least subconsciously remembering that situation when they are again are drivers themself. In car-dependend places it seems to me, most drivers barely ever are pedestrians, and cannot relate with those few weird people which try to walk to places, and consequently won´t act like they are people just like the drivers themself. I should also add: This said street i was talking about has a visible crosswalk, but also the traffic light. It sits on a very long straight road, so drivers usually accelerate to the city-speed-limit of 50kmh. Without the traffic light, i don´t think all of those drivers would stop for a waiting pedestrian. I think its the fact that you are trying to convince people to slow down from high speed to a full stop, and for them to always pay attention and judge the situation in a second or two. "Do i have to stop for this pedestrian? Does he really want to cross? Will he cross before i get there?" is a lot more ambiguous than "The traffic light is red." So its the design of the street and the crossing that - in this case - makes a big difference. And no matter where you stand on the issue of cars, bikes and pedestrians, if you want the best possible outcome, you have to take all three factions into consideration, not just punish those weird aliens which use a different kind of transportation than you do.

[@AnotherDuck]

Same for me in Stockholm. There's a road with a traffic light crossing, and people drive up to 70 km/h (in the process of being lowered to max 60 km/h this spring). Two lanes each direction, and a central refuge. I only press the button if I don't see a gap I can walk through. And the light start to change immediately if I press it.

[@bobpetrulis6596]

In my state (South Carolina) the state DOT has been doing an ad campaign advising drivers to look both ways before starting on a green light because so many cars blow through red lights. (The fact that SCDOT doesn't *also* have a campaign telling drivers that *red means stop!* says a lot.) If many drivers don't worry about t-boning another car, they aren't going to worry much about hitting a pedestrian. I think you're absolutely right that the answer is better street design. (Reducing the number of cars on the road and slowing the ones that are would also help a lot!)

[@Darkthestral1]

I live in a rural/exurb area so driving is manditory. My worst nightmare is hitting someone, especailly a kid. The people running through school bus stop signs are horrific. Ive seen people in my area do that and its beyond infuriating. And they dont get caught Seriously a car going 5mph can seriously injure people. Steel beats flesh and thus you need yo protect the people! Not to mention the horrible effect roadkill has on wildlife

[@LightsOnMultiMediaMindArts]

Excellent presentation. In addition to the reasons suggested why drivers ignore pedestrians (vehicle design, cellphones, etc) I would suggest another. As traffic gets heavier drivers narrow their attention to the elements that demand their attention. They watch for traffic signals, tail lights, headlights, potholes (as you so aptly pointed out). Each of these elements can cause damage to the one thing all drivers value: the physical integrity of their own car. They don't want to crash. Humans and bicyclists are not even on the list. I heard an interview with the people on The War on Cars in which a bicyclist who had nearly been hit by a car slapped the side of the car and not only did the car owner get angry but he called the police. The police then chastised the bicyclist for potentially damaging private property.

[@jicky078]

A thing that could help is to paint the crosswalks with lines in the other direction Giving the idea that the car is coming at an obstacle and not following through their lane

[@noseboop4354]

While the current trend is an increase in road fatalities, in the medium term this will go down because car usage will go down, thanks to increasing costs. New car prices are up 50%, insurance premiums are up nearly as much, less and less young people are getting their driver's license because cars have become unaffordable.

[@-cheshire-cat]

Once I had a car stop for me when I was crossing the road (Not in a pedestrian walk). I remember that moment until this day, it really stuck with me.

[@disabilityadvoc8]

I was hit in my wheelchair in a crosswalk, after the driver waved me across, then when I was directly in front of him, he hit the gas. 99% of drivers text. I use the shoulder. I see it all the time. The auto and insurance industries will never make roads and vehicles safer.