Pedestrian right of way

[Peekay1982]

Just had an argument with a dizzy female dog who nearly ran me over on the pedestrian crossing. Her argument (as far as I could make out) was that drivers have right of way when the light is changing (I think it goes green - red & yellow - red?). She had to brake pretty sharply. I thought that pedestrians have right of way once it starts changing but I could be wrong. The Korean attitude to pedestrian crossings seems to be "I'd better speed up and get through before it changes" rather than "I'd better slow down in case it changes while I'm approaching".

I've had more than a few incidents like this with drivers and this the first time the driver hasn't bowed in apology for trying to get through while it was changing... I hope I'm right because her little son was sitting in the passenger seat and he learnt some new Korean words today courtesy of myself.

[yeti08]

Yeah as Rusty said was the green man lit up?  If so she's at fault and many  Koreans will cue right next to the crosswalk while people are crossing.  Some will attempt to blow through before people get far enough into the crossing.  But the pedestrian definitely has the right a way in the crosswalk when the green man is lit up. 

[Peekay1982]

Yeah - as soon as the green chappie makes his appearance, I start crossing. That's what I did today.

Maybe she wasn't saying that - she just kept saying something about "going when the light changes".

[yeti08]

Yeah - as soon as the green chappie makes his appearance, I start crossing. That's what I did today.

Maybe she wasn't saying that - she just kept saying something about "going when the light changes".

She's a tosser then and stupid.  I specifically remember a question on the driver's exam here outing the crosswalk rules.  You cannot go when the light changes.  Many K-drivers do attempt this though as I said.

[JahRhythm]

Well then, yeah you had the right of way. But, as you know, it's often disregarded.
When green man pops up I always hesitate and only proceed if I have a clear view of what's coming.
I've still had a few close calls and don't shy away from showing my displeasure.

[WorkingTitle3484]

Mmmmm, contrary to common sense, I don't believe there's a concept of pedestrian right of way in Korea, or at least none to the level of ours in our home countries.  I've stared down and slapped enough car hoods (and car butts nice-uh!) and there's a general appearance of befuddlement that I'd dare cross a street when I'm supposed to if there's a car coming. 

If there is such a law (doubt it), then it's loosely enforced like jaywalking (not crossing at the corner but in the middle of the block).

[yeti08]

Well then, yeah you had the right of way. But, as you know, it's often disregarded.
When green man pops up I always hesitate and only proceed if I have a clear view of what's coming.
I've still had a few close calls and don't shy away from showing my displeasure.

Sadly if something doesn't get enforced by the law then it's viewed as perfectly acceptable by many people here.  Same thing happens back in America, though America actually enforces driving laws......Both good and bad in that.

[sunshiningschool]

The worst are the motorcycles on the sidewalk 

[Damien]

I've been nearly hit by cabs 10 seconds after the green with over 20 seconds still remaining. I was having a bad day once and a cab hit my leg, he was rolling but still. I got so angry and kicked his bumper. He then started laying on the horn, so I put down my hood and started cussing at him. He then realized I wasn't Korean and did the, "Oh, ****" award bow. This country is crazy scary on the roads.

[Peekay1982]

I've been nearly hit by cabs 10 seconds after the green with over 20 seconds still remaining. I was having a bad day once and a cab hit my leg, he was rolling but still. I got so angry and kicked his bumper. He then started laying on the horn, so I put down my hood and started cussing at him. He then realized I wasn't Korean and did the, "Oh, ****" award bow. This country is crazy scary on the roads.

When this happens, I'm tempted to boot their car as hard as I can then hit the deck and roll around in feigned agony claiming he hit me. The evidence is all there; a dent or scratch on his car and a minor injury on my part. I'd be willing to accept as little as 20 man won on the spot and call it a day. You could just walk around all day claiming your accident money. You could easily make 3 mil a month working a few hours a week.

I did this, more or less, last year. A d-bag ran me over running through a pedestrian crossing. (I was on my bike.) I made a massive meal of it and flung myself off before lying groaning on the crossing. I was completely unhurt. The dude gave me ₩100,000 after I lay on the ground for 15 minutes refusing to move and threatening to call the police.

[sejongthefabulous]

It is illegal to drive through a protected crosswalk (green man) at any time, even when making a right on a green light. Although the latter one is disregarded most often.
Although I would use common sense and not step in front of a moving car whether in the right or not.

[bobrocket]

It is illegal to drive through a protected crosswalk (green man) at any time, even when making a right on a green light. Although the latter one is disregarded most often.
Although I would use common sense and not step in front of a moving car whether in the right or not.

That's some fine advice, being run over because your in the right is stupid.

Damaging a car is not a good idea, regardless if they stop in your way, it's annoying but it's not exactly hard to walk around it.

Have you noticed how everyone hesitates when the light changes?

[Spongeblob]

I always like to think how would Singham handle traffic violations?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0D6i2lQEtI

[cornflakes]

Sorry to hear you guys almost got runned over by cars, but don't ever "bank" on "pedestrain right of way".
Use common sense and look both ways before crossing the street.  I don't care if the light is green, you still look both ways and make sure no cars are coming your way.   Protect yourself at all times.  Don't just assume because you have the "right of way" that every car is going to know that or obey it. 

Remember what your momma told you when you were little?  Look both ways before crossing the street.  Rule still applies.

[Horus]

Sorry to hear you guys almost got runned over by cars, but don't ever "bank" on "pedestrain right of way".

Runned over?

[Manyisa_1]

Wow,pedestrian right of way or lack thereof here is like trying to invoke parlay according to the Code of the Order of the Brethren.The code is more what you'd call "guidelines" than actual rules.Welcome aboard the Black Pearl.

Common sense is your only buddy here when approaching a crossing.

[luciddreamer]

Sorry to hear you guys almost got runned over by cars, but don't ever "bank" on "pedestrain right of way".

Runned over?

lol

[yeti08]

What I find troubling is that often times at night during the busiest foot traffic times there are police officers stationed at busy cross-walks.  They watch cars aggressively run through the cross-walk illegally and don't even raise an eyebrow.  Seems to me that there is an easy way to prevent most people from doing this.  Fine them.  I guess then the police here would have to grow a pair. 

[Amandada6262000]

A friend of mine got hit, badly, by a taxi that had a passenger inside. After she flew up over the hood, he simply got out, scooped her up off the ground, first dropped off the passenger (ha!!) and then dropped her off at the hospital. She was in too much shock to really do anything about it, though thankfully she was not seriously injured. I've never feared for my life more, just walking around!! Sometimes this place is crazy!!! Be careful everyone.