8/26/16 Cyclist Hit By Car

@Tania 145741 wrote:

As a pedestrian, I almost got run over by a car Sat late afternoon because a woman came out the Home Depot exit wanting to turn right and only looked left to see oncoming cars. She had clear sight lines, she just wasn’t paying attention (it was pretty obvious I was already in the crosswalk as she approached) and was driving way too fast considering she was approaching a stop sign. I’d be in the hospital right now if my friend hadn’t yanked me back. Then, just a few minutes later, we tried to cross the street with the white walk signal and car turning right almost took us out – full daylight, no obstructions. And THEN on the way home, another car turning right almost plowed into us as we were crossing another street. All three times we had the right of way and were crossing legally and in safe manner.

So how about drivers just get their heads out of their arses?

I’ve said it before, allowing right-turn-on-red was the beginning of the end of Western Civilization. And by the looks of the Presidential Election, we are getting there really fast.

I grew up in NYC, which does not permit right turns on red. So I’ve always been curious about the phenomenon. For some broader context, it’s good to take a peek at the Wiki’s fascinating right-on-red entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_on_red

Here are a couple excerpts. I have highlighted the most interesting portions:

Right turns on red are permitted in many regions of North America. While Western states have allowed it for more than 50 years; eastern states amended their traffic laws to allow it in the 1970s as a fuel-saving measure in response to motor fuel shortages in 1973. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 required in §362(c)(5) that in order for a state to receive federal assistance in developing mandated conservation programs, they must permit right turns on red lights. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico have allowed right turns on red since 1978, except where prohibited by a sign or where right turns are controlled by dedicated traffic lights. (In June 1978, Maryland became the last state to allow right turns on red. Right turns on red became legal in the District of Columbia in November 1978.) The few exceptions include New York City, where right turns on red are prohibited, unless a sign indicates otherwise.

During 1982–1992, approximately 84 fatal crashes per year occurred in the U.S. where a vehicle was turning right at intersections where right turn on red was permitted. As of 1992, right turn on red is governed federally by 42 U.S.C. § 6322(c) (“Each proposed State energy conservation plan to be eligible for Federal assistance under this part shall include: …(5) a traffic law or regulation which, to the maximum extent practicable consistent with safety, permits the operator of a motor vehicle to turn such vehicle right at a red stop light after stopping, and to turn such vehicle left from a one-way street onto a one-way street at a red light after stopping.”). All turns on red are forbidden in New York City unless a sign is posted permitting it.

In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light, a flashing amber arrow with a red light or a permanent green board next to the red light.

@scoot 145757 wrote:

“No-right-on-red” will not generally solve this problem. There are far more unsignalized intersections than signalized ones, and the majority of the unsignalized intersections are designed in such a way that drivers cannot see traffic without blocking the crosswalk. Usually because of parked cars.

It would help solve the problem at those intersections where there is right turn on red. Certainly it wouldn’t help at unsignalized intersections since they are unsignalized.

It wouldn’t be a panacea. There would always be people who would ignore it, for instance–just as there are people who ignore the law now. But as it stands, we’ve codified an unsafe practice.

Someone commented that motorists need to pull their heads out. This would be the best, but won’t happen. Cars that can detect pedestrians and stop should do the trick, but it may be too late for many of us older folks before they are a substantial majority of the cars on the road.

If I ever use a crosswalk while cycling (and this includes trail crossings), I would never go at a speed much faster than walking and I would establish eye contact with all relevant drivers.
Traffic laws are one thing, but under the laws of physics, I am a sure loser.

So the intersection of Veitch and Wilson in Courthouse has a no turn on red when pedestrians are present sign. That sign may not as well be there at all given how often I see it ignored.

Today was especially flagrant and annoyed me more than usual. Why? Because there was a cop car two cars back from the intersection. But even more so, there were children IN the crosswalk when this Prius decided to turn right on red.

Maybe ACPD can take a walk to this intersection during the AM/PM rush to collect some revenue.

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I’m going to go ahead and submit a complaint using this form.

https://police.arlingtonva.us/report-aggressive-driving-form/

If anyone suggests a better means, I’m happy to do that as well.