Comments | celandineb: Random traffic-related post

celandineb

Random traffic-related post

Sep 28, 2009 22:00

In the past two days, I've seen three motorcycles, each with two people (man driving, woman behind): among them, 0 helmets, 0 jackets, 3 pairs shorts, 3 pairs flip-flops. Oy. I look at them, and I think, "Organ donors!" (I also have seen 1 motorcyclist driving solo, with a helmet and jacket, although going about 10 mph over the limit ( Read more... )

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Comments 9

telperion1 September 29 2009, 08:32:58 UTC

University pedestrians irritate me too. It's not that they don't know traffic safety (well, some of them may not!) - it's more that they just don't think the rules apply to them. There is this sense that other people on the road don't matter. (I have overheard two conversations in the last week or so that represent serious awareness-of-others!fail, not to mention logic!fail. So it's on my mind - I've noticed the situation you're talking about a lot lately.

Sorry it's frustrating you, seriously.

And speaking of being inconsiderate... I feel like I yelled at you at your other post about mutilation. More than I meant to, much more. I was exhausted and upset at some totally unrelated stuff. I wanted to let you know I'm sorry for taking it out on you. (No need to respond to this part, I just wanted to let you know.)

celandineb September 29 2009, 13:50:04 UTC

I wonder a bit if it's because they're at that "I'm immortal and invincible" age, or something.

As to the other, I'm opening a new post momentarily just for people to yell if they'd like.

telperion1 September 29 2009, 14:03:18 UTC

I wonder a bit if it's because they're at that "I'm immortal and invincible" age

I suspect that goes into it. I also think that, if they're like me, they are simply exhausted and are so often wearing themselves out on things so far removed from daily life, thinking things through when it comes to crossing a street just takes a lot more energy than it should. This is no excuse and I sincerely hope they get across safely and never realize how pig-headed they are... but I also get how they really could have their heads in the clouds very easily, just because of the nature of undergraduate life.

Still, it grates on me (and I assume you). There's such a cockiness in thinking you don't have to worry about something so simple as crossing a street.

neogrammarian September 29 2009, 13:14:44 UTC

I must say I enjoyed seeing how many -scooter- riders in the UK were in safety-gear. I think it's mandatory for moto-riders, but the scooter crowd was suiting up too, and it was awesome.

More riders wear at least some gear here than other places I've lived, I notice. Still far from 100%, but fewer shorts, ts, & flipflops.

celandineb September 29 2009, 13:47:07 UTC

Granted Sunday was very warm, but still. Not Bright to wear no safety gear, not even a helmet. *eyeroll*

(The comment has been removed)

celandineb September 29 2009, 17:57:56 UTC

When I took driver's ed in high school, they showed us a video which had a brief scene of a motorcyclist decapitated after an accident. *shudders* I'm sure it was faked, but still, it made a real impression.

And at least it sounds like you're looking when you cross! Some of the students I see just wander across...

ladyjaneva September 29 2009, 18:41:41 UTC

I don't have a car, but I've got a bike I ride daily, and most of the times I wear I helmet. I didn't used to and thought it looked weird and ruins my hair (which it does :-().

However...even if I drive as careful as possible, there are so many cardrivers around who think that the world is theirs and don't look out if someone might actually be crossing the street at a green light, so I figured that bad hair wins anytime over a fractured skull.

I wish more people would wear a helmet on bike...

celandineb September 29 2009, 19:28:28 UTC

I make an effort to watch for bikes, since at various times in the past I have used bikes as my main form of transportation (and I totally agree that bike helmets are a PITA and mess up one's hair big time, but still good to wear them). I'm happy to share the road although bike-riders too don't always obey traffic laws, riding against traffic, crossing against lights, failing to use hand signals... yeah. Not saying this is you! Just again, what I tend to see around campus...

ladyjaneva October 1 2009, 19:55:24 UTC

oh I know there are many bikers that bend traffic rules to their will too....which is stupid as the car driver still has all that metal around him to protect him, the biker doesn't...

where I live bikers most often share with the walkers, which of course produces problems too. Amsterdam is building bike-highways, how I wish for that to be finally done over here too