topic Re: Now I've seen everything in Community Chat

Now I've seen everything

suzyQ3 — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 21:45:35 GMT

You'd think that living in densely populated SoCal, I would have encountered every traffic gaffe or mishap.

Yesterday while driving home on a busy street (anyone ever hear of PCH (Pacific Coast HIghtway/Sepulveda Boulevard?), I came to a fairly major intersection in which the light was green for me. It had not just turned green, btw.

Thank heavens I was not going particularly fast, so I was able to catch out of the corner of my eye a woman dashing through her red light right in front of me. Okay, so stuff happens.

But she was pushing a baby carriage or stroller! When I was safely through, I blasted my horn out of sheer exasperation. This lovely young mother turned and flpped me off.

It really did shake me up.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Azcowgirl — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 21:50:52 GMT

UGH ...what is wrong with people. Half the time , they don't look at all to see if there are cars coming. I'd be shook up too.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Preds — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 21:51:34 GMT

Saw that in our neighborhood. Two women talking and walking and stopped for 1 second (4 way stop). Thank goodness I was watching them because they just kept coming across the road. The car coming from the other direction slammed on their brakes. The moms (walkers) never even looked up, over, across, or noticed. Made me sick to my stomach and I'm sure the other driver felt pretty much the same ... or worse.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:06:19 GMT

A little different but recently I was sitting at a red light with a car next to me.

Luckily I always hesitate for a few seconds and don't start immediately (only a few seconds).

I got ready to go and saw running (pushing his bike) a young man maybe 12-15 right in front of me. He was so close trying to get across he probably brushed my fender with his leg. It was a miracle I was able to step back on the brake. He kept going and didn't stop, got back on his bike and as I looked over I saw him do it again. Then the traffic was so bad I was sitting (not moving) and he was going parallel to me. He just kept going against the lights. People blasted their horns and he never stopped! It was crazy!

Someone up there was looking out for him because I don't know how he didn't get hit. I don't know how my car didn't hit him.

The guy next to me was shook up. He looked over at me, raised his hands like....'what the heck' and sat for a second.

I wonder how long this kid is going to live going like this? I was just talking at lunch today to a friend about things like this and she was telling me some of her stories.

Not only would it ruin the driver's life but if it didn't kill the person it would ruin their lives. What are people thinking?

I bought a new car last year. It's an Acura MDX and has every safety feature you can buy but I had added on at my cost extra back up sensors just for reasons like this. It seems like there's always someone walking behind me even when I'm 1/2 way out of the parking spot.

Re: Now I've seen everything

bonnielu — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:15:25 GMT

Unfortunately rudeness is all around, as is people deciding laws are for everyone else.

We were cut off in our own neighborhood trying to make a left on a narrow road with a 25 mph speed limit. Crazy guy speeding up the hill and did not like the idea that I was almost across the road (intersection) and then a rude hand jesture and a nasty look. It is an intersection.. two country roads that some cars use for pass through to the next town. Mostly on a daily basis something happens that unkind or dangerous. Yes, they may have fast reaction time but the hother driver such as myself might not have the same SKILL THEY DO.

Re: Now I've seen everything

fortune — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:16:23 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
You'd think that living in densely populated SoCal, I would have encountered every traffic gaffe or mishap.

Yesterday while driving home on a busy street (anyone ever hear of PCH (Pacific Coast HIghtway/Sepulveda Boulevard?), I came to a fairly major intersection in which the light was green for me. It had not just turned green, btw.

Thank heavens I was not going particularly fast, so I was able to catch out of the corner of my eye a woman dashing through her red light right in front of me. Okay, so stuff happens.

But she was pushing a baby carriage or stroller! When I was safely through, I blasted my horn out of sheer exasperation. This lovely young mother turned and flpped me off.

It really did shake me up.

@suzyQ3

I guess the only thing worse would have been if the baby had also flipped you off!!!

Re: Now I've seen everything

SilleeMee — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:17:13 GMT

This story happened here...

Two people, one driver and one passenger, were parked. Passenger gets out and walked behind the car as it backed up and ran over him and killed him on the spot. The driver calls 911 and the police and ambulance arrive. Police said there'd be no charges because the passenger who got run over was jaywalking. It was a horribly sad story because these two people were best friends in their 70's. The driver coudn't see well and the one who got run over and killed was hard of hearing. I cried when I saw the story on our local news.

Re: Now I've seen everything

lovesrecess — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:20:20 GMT

We have a bike path near our neighborhood and it goes in and out of a busy street...bikers have earbuds blocking out honking horns and every other sound they may need to hear...they have no idea if a car is about to run them off the road..they also never look to see if any cars are behind them before changing lanes. Have had more than a few close calls with them.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Moonchilde — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 22:25:50 GMT

I think that's a consequence of CA's "the pedestrian (traditionally) has the right of way" belief, as opposed to other states where you take your life in your hands every time you step off a curb. CA has always let pedestrians feel safe, and entitled, under almost any circumstances. So idiots will keep doing that this woman did.

I hated driving in that particular area around the airport even when I had to. I never could remember, going north (simpler going south), what lane I needed to be in to not feed into the airport.

Re: Now I've seen everything

suzyQ3 — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:26:54 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
I think that's a consequence of CA's "the pedestrian (traditionally) has the right of way" belief, as opposed to other states where you take your life in your hands every time you step off a curb. CA has always let pedestrians feel safe, and entitled, under almost any circumstances. So idiots will keep doing that this woman did.

I hated driving in that particular area around the airport even when I had to. I never could remember, going north (simpler going south), what lane I needed to be in to not feed into the airport.

@Moonchilde, thankfully not near LAX. I don't know whether you'll recognize the area, but I was going south to get home, and this intersection was not far from the Redondo Beach/Hermosa Beach dividing line.

Yes, the pedestrian generally has the right of way here. But every day when I walk the five blocks down to the ocean, I am reminded that that "law" means bupkus. I am totallly serious when I say that each time I come to an intersection, I take my life in my hands.

I've learned to step gingerly off the curb and expect that a car will run the intersection. It is what it is. I won't get hit as long as I practice extreme defense. Oh, and I always want to know that I've made eye contact; that's the reason I hate totally dark-tinted windows -- illegal here but some don't know or don't care.

ETA: Make that "north."

Re: Now I've seen everything

Moonchilde — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:00:00 GMT

@suzyQ3, I used to drive that way on the weekends to eat at Big Wok (Manhattan), and Poulet du Jour (Hermosa). I really, really miss Big Wok! We used to have lunches at work catered by Poulet du Jour. Best hummus I have ever had. I could easily make a meal of their fresh hummus and pita.

The thing I miss the very most up here is ethnic food!

Re: Now I've seen everything

Sueliz — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:25:11 GMT

@fortune wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
You'd think that living in densely populated SoCal, I would have encountered every traffic gaffe or mishap.

Yesterday while driving home on a busy street (anyone ever hear of PCH (Pacific Coast HIghtway/Sepulveda Boulevard?), I came to a fairly major intersection in which the light was green for me. It had not just turned green, btw.

Thank heavens I was not going particularly fast, so I was able to catch out of the corner of my eye a woman dashing through her red light right in front of me. Okay, so stuff happens.

But she was pushing a baby carriage or stroller! When I was safely through, I blasted my horn out of sheer exasperation. This lovely young mother turned and flpped me off.

It really did shake me up.
@suzyQ3
I guess the only thing worse would have been if the baby had also flipped you off!!!

@fortune, Lol! Thanks for the laugh!

Re: Now I've seen everything

ECBG — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:31:50 GMT

@suzyQ3

Unfortunately, they don't have to take a course to be a parent.

I'm learning that many real topics can't be discussed here. Good luck if you're not handing out cupcakes and gum drops.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Fona — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 00:38:47 GMT

I have a similar story from just last week. I was crossing a very wide road here that has an island down the center. As I was halfway across the first part of the road the light turned to amber and I stepped on to the island to wait. At that moment a young man came up from behind me with his head stuck in his phone and just kept on walking. I shouted but he took no notice. The traffic coming from the right had already started up and the first row of cars stopped dead to avoid hitting him, and one of the drivers shouted something at him. He did a classic double take, then waved on the first row of cars and immediately started crossing the road behind them - again with his head in his phone - while the light for him was still red and the traffic from the right was now standing still waiting for him. I just could not believe his arrogance. However, as we all know, people like him lead charmed lives. I hope he has a good guardian angel.

Re: Now I've seen everything

hckynut — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:21:56 GMT

Maybe she was "multi-tasking", ya know! Cell phones seem to be the device of choice, even more important to some than the lives of their child, or even their own.

I don't live anywhere close to "what soon may become it's own country", but I see this idiocy ever time I drive our vehicle. Gotta see who's texting don't ya know!

hckynut(john)

Re: Now I've seen everything

kivah — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:22:23 GMT

I live in Oxnard, southern Calif as well. I notice when people cross the street --- they just walk and never check to see if I see them OR if I'm stopping. That's why they get hit - often!!! They just assume u see them and will stop.

Re: Now I've seen everything

ROMARY — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:29:28 GMT

Blame it on the ear buds that many bikers wear. Seriously, they shouldn't be using ear buds, mainly because it's dangerous for them (as well as other folks in near-miss accidents).

Re: Now I've seen everything

Northray — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:37:46 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
You'd think that living in densely populated SoCal, I would have encountered every traffic gaffe or mishap.

Yesterday while driving home on a busy street (anyone ever hear of PCH (Pacific Coast HIghtway/Sepulveda Boulevard?), I came to a fairly major intersection in which the light was green for me. It had not just turned green, btw.

Thank heavens I was not going particularly fast, so I was able to catch out of the corner of my eye a woman dashing through her red light right in front of me. Okay, so stuff happens.

But she was pushing a baby carriage or stroller! When I was safely through, I blasted my horn out of sheer exasperation. This lovely young mother turned and flpped me off.

It really did shake me up.

Okay so the poor woman made a mistake and for whatever reason thought she could cross over. Believe me it's a trick trying to cross busy streets -- just when you think it's your turn, it's not. You maybe could have cut her a break, I mean she was pushing a baby carriage afterall. I think that's probably what made her mad enough to flip you off. One woman should understand another woman's delimma. It's not like she wanted to get herself or her baby hit by a car I'm sure.

Re: Now I've seen everything

Foolywooly11 — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:48:44 GMT

@hckynut: I guess I'm not the only one who's bothered by the texting & driving going on. It drives me crazy(pardon the pun)! More often than not, while sitting at a traffic light, the 1st driver in line has to hear a horn from behind before they realize the light's green! But, what's worse is what I see when their cars are moving!

Re: Now I've seen everything

tansy — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 01:59:24 GMT

@Northray wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
You'd think that living in densely populated SoCal, I would have encountered every traffic gaffe or mishap.

Yesterday while driving home on a busy street (anyone ever hear of PCH (Pacific Coast HIghtway/Sepulveda Boulevard?), I came to a fairly major intersection in which the light was green for me. It had not just turned green, btw.

Thank heavens I was not going particularly fast, so I was able to catch out of the corner of my eye a woman dashing through her red light right in front of me. Okay, so stuff happens.

But she was pushing a baby carriage or stroller! When I was safely through, I blasted my horn out of sheer exasperation. This lovely young mother turned and flpped me off.

It really did shake me up.
Okay so the poor woman made a mistake and for whatever reason thought she could cross over. Believe me it's a trick trying to cross busy streets -- just when you think it's your turn, it's not. You maybe could have cut her a break, I mean she was pushing a baby carriage afterall. I think that's probably what made her mad enough to flip you off. One woman should understand another woman's delimma. It's not like she wanted to get herself or her baby hit by a car I'm sure.

Sure it's tricky getting across a street sometimes but you don't give it a try on a red light😕