The Off Topic Topic

[Josquius]

There are a number of possible solutions, the best one IMO being to optimize *all* people's time savings, and that is the system I believe is currently being employed.

It has the advantage of not being based on tribalist thinking.

The solution currently being employed depends on the country.
And from what I have seen the north American way is one of the worst. Giving priority to pedestrians is best practice.

[HVC]

How does one control cars in regards to unpredictable pedestrian actions? What's the law in the UK? Do pedestrians walk Willy nilly  across major roads?

[Richard Hakluyt]

The best system will vary according to the traffic mix. In an extensive American suburb with few pedestrians it probably makes sense to allow motorists to travel at a decent speed, they need to to get where they are going. In a tightly packed European city it makes sense to put motorists far lower in priority and give pedestrians more precedence.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Pedestrians are not allowed on motorways and busy A roads often have barriers and crossings.

There have been recent changes to the Highway Code which have further prioritised pedestrians :

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-highway-code-8-changes-you-need-to-know-from-29-january-2022

The principal restraint on pedestrians here is that they should not be bloody fools and get themselves killed 

[HVC]

Sorry, don't mean highways and the like. More like main city roads rather then side streets. Everyone jaywalks on side streets anyway lol

[Sheilbh]

The principal restraint on pedestrians here is that they should not be bloody fools and get themselves killed 

Yeah - we all get taught how to cross the road. But the main control is not wanting to get hit by a car

I find jay-walking laws absolutely baffling.

[Josquius]

The best system will vary according to the traffic mix. In an extensive American suburb with few pedestrians it probably makes sense to allow motorists to travel at a decent speed, they need to to get where they are going. In a tightly packed European city it makes sense to put motorists far lower in priority and give pedestrians more precedence.

Then you get onto American style urban design itself being problematic

[crazy canuck]

BB - Endurance has been found

https://twitter.com/thehistoryguy/status/1501455797766733825?s=21

[The Brain]

BB - Endurance has been found

https://twitter.com/thehistoryguy/status/1501455797766733825?s=21

*cough* Archaeology thread *cough*

[crazy canuck]

Freedom of speech!!!!

[The Brain]

Freedom of speech!!!!

It's just been revoked.

[garbon]

There are a number of possible solutions, the best one IMO being to optimize *all* people's time savings, and that is the system I believe is currently being employed.

It has the advantage of not being based on tribalist thinking.

Is it the best? After all it isn't the system employed in the UK and doesn't feel like permitted jaywalking is a significant source of traffic.

Also we know that jaywalking isn't evenly enforced even where the law in the US.

[Sheilbh]

Is it the best? After all it isn't the system employed in the UK and doesn't feel like permitted jaywalking is a significant source of traffic.

Also we know that jaywalking isn't evenly enforced even where the law in the US.

Yeah - I could be wrong but I'd interpret more as giving police a relatively discretionary and easy way to pull people up, which is never a great thing.

Plus in a US context I imagine part of it is driven by insurance/liability/being sued.

I'm not sure it's actually about keeping traffic flowing.

[Tamas]

You guys reminded me when friends from Germany were in England and they came to meet me. Going to meet them, spotted them at a crosswalk, being the only people who bothered to stop and wait for the green light, as opposed to looking around and walking/running through any gap between the cars, as per English norm. They stood out. 

[Duque de Bragança]

After a while, Germans eventually adapt and start crossing like the locals.