# It's not wise to walk in front of a turning car **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 2, 2005, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053 "2005-02-02T21:40:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/101 "2005-02-04T21:41:56Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > And hopefully, the same pedestrian will get a $500 fine if he jay walks through the little red man? No idea; they only posted the “failure to yield” signs. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/102 "2005-02-04T21:42:57Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > a) go around behind me, I drive a Corolla, it’s 15 extra steps, That way, when my car rolls back into you on the hill, I can drive away more quickly. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/103 "2005-02-04T21:43:30Z")
To make an analogy, I will often often check both directions before crossing a street, _even if it’s a one way street_, because drivers sometimes mistakenly drive the wrong way. But if a driver hits me going the wrong way, he’s still 100% at fault. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/104 "2005-02-04T21:50:17Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > To make an analogy, I will often often check both directions before crossing a street, _even if it’s a one way street_, because drivers sometimes mistakenly drive the wrong way. As do I. Now if only we ccould get all the drivers to look both ways before pulling into a one-way street. Pedestrians have a habit of travelling in either direction. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/105 "2005-02-04T22:18:10Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > And hopefully, the same pedestrian will get a $500 fine if he jay walks through the little red man? When the pedestrian is capable of killing the driver of the car by impact your point will be valid. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/106 "2005-02-04T22:51:06Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Now if only we ccould get all the drivers to look both ways before pulling into a one-way street. Just so everyone’s clear, I was referring to drivers who _only_ look in the direction of oncoming traffic when crossing a sidewalk area. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/107 "2005-02-04T23:31:55Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > Agreed.You’re assuming that **Ana** wasn’t looking where she was going. Errrr, because she was “studiously looking left” (in the OP) Where did she say she was still looking left when she pulled into the street? > [@](#): > > What two-year-olds go walking near a busy street by themselves? Didn’t say that. But they have a tendency to run about a little more than is predictable. So it’s a good idea for people to look where they’re directing their half-ton of steel. > [@](#): > > “Never” doesn’t always apply. I maintain it is NEVER prudent to assume there’s nothing in the way of your vehicle. As has been said repeatedly - if you don’t know what’s there, don’t direct your vehicle towards it. It’s perfectly possible to _look_ in other directions to make sure you’re not on a collision course with other people, without jeopardising the most important aspect of controling a vehicle. The OP explicitly described a situation where this was not the case. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/108 "2005-02-04T23:41:41Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Errrr, because she was “studiously looking left” (in the OP) That doesn’t mean she didn’t turn to look where she was going. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/109 "2005-02-04T23:48:17Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > That doesn’t mean she didn’t turn to look where she was going. It certainly sounds like she wasn’t paying enough attention to the place her car was moving towards. Especially when she also says she was “glancing” forward. Imagine this one: “Yes, Officer, I was trying to tune the radio, but I was also glancing at the road”. ---
**Author:** ![Tool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@Tool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tool)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/110 "2005-02-04T23:50:10Z")
I’ve done a bit of car control school. I can’t imagine why some of you don’t know some of that training. How to handle an apex, heal and toe. Fuxkin’ nwbies. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/111 "2005-02-04T23:52:08Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > It certainly sounds like she wasn’t paying enough attention to the place her car was moving towards. Especially when she also says she was “glancing” forward. No, she says she was glancing to the right. Cars go forward, not right. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/112 "2005-02-04T23:59:13Z")
> [@Mr. Miskatonic](#): > > When the pedestrian is capable of killing the driver of the car by impact your point will be valid. A pedestrian who steps out into traffic and causes a pile-up is quite capable of killing the driver or someone else. Peds need to follow the law just as drivers do, and for just the same reasons. Stranger I _never_ jaywalk. Well _almost_ never. For all practical purposes. I mean, _only_ once or twice a week. On average. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/113 "2005-02-04T23:59:17Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > No, she says she was glancing to the right. Cars go forward, not right. Pedestrians come from the right and left. Cars turn to the right and to the left. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/114 "2005-02-05T00:06:14Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Cars turn to the right and to the left. While moving forward. Cars do not normally turn in place. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/115 "2005-02-05T00:12:32Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > While moving forward. Cars do not normally turn in place. Cars that begin to move forward, whether right or left, while pedestrians are in front are _dangerous_. That’s why it’s the _driver’s_ responsibility to make sure that before they move, the way is clear. How many more twists can you make before you give up? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/116 "2005-02-05T00:24:19Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Cars that begin to move forward, whether right or left, while pedestrians are in front are _dangerous_. That’s why it’s the _driver’s_ responsibility to make sure that before they move, the way is clear. Again, **Ana** didn’t say anything about not looking forward. Which is where a pedestrian would be if the way isn’t clear. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/117 "2005-02-05T00:28:07Z")
Remember, I’ve encountered a driver who didn’t look to his right. He did look forward, notice me, and stopped in time. One can presume that’s also the sort of incident described in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/118 "2005-02-05T00:29:17Z")
[quo=Lutete]Ana didn’t say anything about not looking forward [/quote] > [@Anaamike](#): > > I’m glancing right but predominantly I’m looking left? Seems to me an obvious admission that she’s paying scant attention to the direction she’d choosing to drive into. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/119 "2005-02-05T00:50:33Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > And hopefully, the same pedestrian will get a $500 fine if he jay walks through the little red man? It isn’t $500 bucks, but it does cost you. When I first visited California, I was astonished that pedestrians actually obeyed crosswalks, and most drivers did also. Coming from New York, I’m used to hordes of walkers intimidating cars. BTW, from news reports I read, if a car hits a pedestrian coming out from between parked cars (and assuming that he didn’t emege when the car was half a block away) the car is not considered to be at fault. That isn’t the case for the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053/120 "2005-02-05T02:24:50Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > Seems to me an obvious admission that she’s paying scant attention to the direction she’d choosing to drive into. Yes, she’s paying scant attenton to where she’s going to turn. The key words being “going to”. _If_ she was still looking left _while_ turning, there wuold be no argument from me. We just don’t have that information. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-wise-to-walk-in-front-of-a-turning-car/288053.md?page=7)