# Why won't you use the sidewalk? Why in God's name NOT???? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 25, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526 "2014-03-25T15:40:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [March 25, 2014, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/21 "2014-03-25T22:16:39Z")
> [@Virgil\_Tibbs](#): > > Roads aren’t just for cars. What annoys me are motorists who think their journey is far more important than everyone else’s. So you are forced to drive carefully on private roads, and that makes you angry? Good. > [@For You](#): > > _hang up and drive_ Are people only reading the thread title and assuming that the OP is an anti-bicyclist rant? ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/22 "2014-03-25T23:20:35Z")
> [@cmosdes](#): > > Many times in the early morning (still dark) I’ve come across a couple who are walking in the middle of the road. There are two sidewalks, both well maintained, in a very safe, high end neighborhood. But instead of walking on or even near the sidewalk, the walk right down the middle of the road. They have no illumination on them and every time I’ve seen them they have been in dark gear with no reflector material at all. I can’t even begin to imagine why they walk there. Personally, when I’m running I will avoid sidewalks because they tend to undulate and be much more uneven than the street, but I’m right next to it and can jump up on it quickly if a vehicle comes by. So I can see that there might be a reason to be just off the sidewalk. But the middle or the road, in the dark, with not lights/reflectors? I don’t get that at all. I’m reminded of the Beatles song “Why don’t we do it in the road ? No one will watch us…” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/23 "2014-03-25T23:21:37Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Are people only reading the thread title and assuming that the OP is an anti-bicyclist rant? He was clearly talking about children playing in the street. He expressed concern that he might hit one of these children. But, you know, not hitting children (adults, dogs, fences, trees, other cars) is kind of not that hard. In fact, I would suggest that not hitting stuff is a driver’s first responsibility. If you hit a child, should you blame the child? The parent? The absent yard fence? Or, maybe, _yourself_? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/24 "2014-03-25T23:48:33Z")
> [@For You](#): > > He was clearly talking about children playing in the street. He expressed concern that he might hit one of these children. But, you know, not hitting children (adults, dogs, fences, trees, other cars) is kind of not that hard. In fact, I would suggest that not hitting stuff is a driver’s first responsibility. If you hit a child, should you blame the child? The parent? The absent yard fence? Or, maybe, _yourself_? You go and blame whoever you want. Blaming people is fun. Personally, I’d prefer children not get hit by cars. Prevention before the fact may be harder than blaming after the fact, but I tend to think it’s better. I’m weird that way. ---
**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2014, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/25 "2014-03-25T23:50:28Z")
> [@For You](#): > > _hang up and drive_ Wait, what??? If you’re assuming I’m on the phone during these encounters, you are incorrect. I am driving 10 MPH (maximum), with my own precious cargo in tow. And no, these people do NOT step out of the way. They stand there and look at me. They make NO moves to get away from my car, so I drive around them. Jesus, I really thought this was a rant people could get behind. But those of you who are making assumptions about the situation (without bothering to clarify) are kinda dipshitty. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/26 "2014-03-26T01:04:06Z")
Ok, if they literally make you weave through them, then yes, I agree they’re assholes and exhibiting a behavior I’ve never really seen from people standing in a road. If you simply don’t want human feet in contact with the same road you’re driving on while you can see them, then you’re stressing for no good reason. Since this is the internet I’ll go ahead an accept your version of events and root you on in your ire. But in the real world I have doubts about your version of events. Yay…ire! ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/27 "2014-03-26T01:21:48Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > Wait, what??? > > If you’re assuming I’m on the phone during these encounters, you are incorrect. I am driving 10 MPH (maximum), with my own precious cargo in tow. > > And no, these people do NOT step out of the way. They stand there and look at me. They make NO moves to get away from my car, so I drive around them. > > Jesus, I really thought this was a rant people could get behind. But those of you who are making assumptions about the situation (without bothering to clarify) are kinda dipshitty. I totally get what you’re talking about and am totally with you on this one. People standing in the road like a bunch of cows chewing their cuds, and especially with their children in tow, I just don’t get it. It would be tempting to put it in neutral and rev the engine to see if I can get any reaction from them at all. I would never do that, but I sure would think about it. Every day. ---
**Author:** ![nevadaexile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb8c5e/32.png) [@nevadaexile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nevadaexile)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/28 "2014-03-26T01:31:23Z")
There have been three pedestrian deaths in my city this year from people walking in the street wearing headphones at night and dark clothing. The Darwin Awards for their families may have already been received. **The street is for vehicles** , unless you are in the crosswalk. Also, if you are walking in the street, assume that some drivers can’t see you (especially at dusk,dawn and at night) so wear bright colored or reflective clothing. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/29 "2014-03-26T01:37:18Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > One of my favorite challenges is meeting a vendor pushing a hand cart the wrong way in the fast lane of a major roadway. Ooh, bonus points! ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/30 "2014-03-26T02:07:48Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > But in the real world I have doubts about your version of events. This is funny. I see this every morning as I leave my sub-division, and this is a street with a lot of morning traffic. But still, they stand in the road… ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/31 "2014-03-26T02:28:09Z")
Oh, I can definitely get behind this rant. Behind it, and on the sidewalk where I belong. And I have NO DOUBTS at all about the OP’s version of events. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/32 "2014-03-26T02:36:40Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > And what journey are these people, who are just standing still in the middle of the road, on? Quick trip to the hospital if they’re not lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/33 "2014-03-26T05:30:30Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > I totally get what you’re talking about and am totally with you on this one. People standing in the road like a bunch of cows chewing their cuds, and especially with their children in tow, I just don’t get it. It would be tempting to put it in neutral and rev the engine to see if I can get any reaction from them at all. I would never do that, but I sure would think about it. Every day. Don’t you people have a working **horn** in your car? Give them a good long blast. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/34 "2014-03-26T07:09:41Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > My daughters attend daycare at a building that is nestled within a large apartment complex. The speed limit on the streets within the complex is 10 MPH so you just putt-putt along, and there are quite a few speed bumps too – makes sense, since there are a lot of kids who live in this complex. > > Oh, and there are a lot of sidewalks as well. A lot. Well-kept sidewalks. > > But I swear to god I am going to freak out on some of these people if they will not get their asses OFF the street and ONTO the sidewalk!!! > > I pulled into the complex this morning, and a big group of people was with their kids for the school bus. There was enough room on the sidewalk for EVERYONE but half of the people (adults AND kids) were just hanging out in the middle of the street. This happens all the time – they walk in the street, even though there’s a sidewalk right there. > > It’s just so dangerous. I’m worried that I’m going to hit them, but they don’t seem worried at all. There’s nothing for me to do but continue to drive extreeeeemely cautiously, but my god, don’t they care??? Do they want their kids to get run over??? This drives me batty! If it’s anything like my area, the sidewalks are probably taken up by bicycles, skateboards, scooters (not the type used by the disabled, those are fine), etc. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/35 "2014-03-26T12:44:26Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Here in Panama, all bets are off. The sidewalks are broken or non-existent, or blocked by illegally parked cars, so everyone has to walk in the streets in certain areas. Fair being fair, cars will drive on the sidewalk or median to avoid a traffic jam. Folks have not quite gone to the driving-on-the-median system here but yes, the pedestrians have been driven from the sidewalk in many parts of San Juan. OTOH, a lot of people (both motorist and pedestrian) here and elsewhere have this attitude that they have no responsibility to not make themselves an obstacle, and it’s absolutely on everyone else to avoid them, if necessary by driving into the ditch or the lamp post. Too many times I’ve seen someone just saunter into the street and at best only on the second step already on the roadway bother turning their head to give a nasty look to someone for coming to a screeching stop, or to insult them for horn-honking. The bicyclists are actually the best at handling themselves on this issue, for all the good it does them. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/36 "2014-03-26T13:43:07Z")
What gets me is the people, mostly older folks, who _walk in the middle of the road_ when they are out getting their exercise. There’s a very affluent area that I drive through frequently to meet clients, and folks like to get out in the morning a walk for exercise. OK, fine. There aren’t any sidewalks, but the roads are pretty wide and this is completely residential. Speed limit 25 MPH. But many of these people insist on walking in the middle of the damn road. And they won’t move over even when a car is coming. I can’t help thinking of that video game (is it _Grand Theft Auto_?) where you get extra points if you run over an old person. ---
**Author:** ![sandra\_nz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eada6e/32.png) [@sandra\_nz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sandra_nz)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/37 "2014-03-26T13:47:25Z")
I’m fully on board with this, pedestrians on the road makes me batty too! How loud is your horn? Can you quietly creep the car up behind a group then go full blast? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/38 "2014-03-26T14:23:16Z")
> [@smaje1](#): > > No, **Virgil Tibbs** , sidewalks are for walking I think someone’s obliged to point out that they’re for regular walking, not for fancy walking. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/39 "2014-03-26T14:41:23Z")
> [@For You](#): > > **He was clearly talking about children playing in the street.** He expressed concern that he might hit one of these children. But, you know, not hitting children (adults, dogs, fences, trees, other cars) is kind of not that hard. In fact, I would suggest that not hitting stuff is a driver’s first responsibility. If you hit a child, should you blame the child? The parent? The absent yard fence? Or, maybe, _yourself_? From the OP: > [@smaje1](#): > > **I pulled into the complex this morning, and a big group of people was with their kids for the school bus. There was enough room on the sidewalk for EVERYONE but half of the people (adults AND kids) were just hanging out in the middle of the street.** This happens all the time – they walk in the street, even though there’s a sidewalk right there. Maybe you should go back to remedial reading class, you moron. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2014, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526/40 "2014-03-26T15:28:10Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > I’m fully on board with this, pedestrians on the road makes me batty too! How loud is your horn? Can you quietly creep the car up behind a group then go full blast? 😉 If you do this, [please consider installing a train horn.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icnRMW6P9nc) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-wont-you-use-the-sidewalk-why-in-gods-name-not/684526.md?page=3)