Special Report: Crosswalks, Pop Rocks, and a Practical Use for Lite-Brite Technology

There are many things that fill me with Runner's Rage: people who let their dogs take up the whole trail, gossipy running groups that sound like a hives of bees as they approach, happy couples holding hands (that one may have little to do with running). But nothing is so infuriating as cars that don't yield the right of way at crosswalks.

I've heard, "pedestrians always have the right of way." I wondered, is this true, or is it urban legend, like that rumor saying that it's lethal to combine Pop Rocks and soda (a wicked lie that stopped the science-based candy craze in its tracks)? Undoubtedly, cars rule the road. But do they have the right to?

According to the Alabama Department of Motor Vehicles, the rules for vehicles at a crosswalk are pretty simple. If the crosswalk is at a traffic light, obey the light (although when turning "right on red," you must yield to pedestrians). If the crosswalk is not at a light or intersection, you must stop for pedestrians. If no one is crossing, you don't have to stop (unless there's a stop sign, obviously).

That means you stop for that stroller at a crosswalk, even if you're on your way to Rojo and you're racing a Suburban for the best parking spot.

It means that, even if you can see a green light UP AHEAD, you still need to stop for the runner who's trying to cross at a crosswalk. Even if it means you'll miss the light.

It also means that, when you stop at a traffic light, you must stop BEHIND the crosswalk lines. Those neat white lines on the sidewalk aren't just for decoration, and I shouldn't have to run around your car just so you can have a two foot advantage when the light turns green.

Runners and other pedestrians, as it turns out, have some responsibilities too. You should always wear reflectors, or a light, or at least light colored clothing, if you plan to walk or run in the dark. You should use sidewalks whenever possible. (Hey, I know asphalt is better on the joints, and I won't fault you for running in the road. But, technically, the law does.) You should yield to vehicles when you are NOT at a crosswalk or intersection. And you should walk or run on the left side of the road, single-file.

Sure, if all drivers followed the rules, it would make my runs a lot more pleasant. But it's more than that, really. If we want to stop (or reverse) climate change, traffic congestion, and urban sprawl, we need to drive less.

Until we have more bike lanes and sidewalks to make that easier, we all need to start following the rules. Drivers, learn the rules of the road as they apply to pedestrians and bikers. It may not be practical for everyone to give up a vehicle, but you can do your part by being aware and making the road safer for those who do.

CROSSWALKS OF THE WORLD:
A Sidebar of Facts Mostly Stolen from Wikipedia

Globally, crosswalks are all pretty straightforward, although sometimes people get creative (like the United Kingdom's system, which includes Zebra, Pegasus, Pelican, Puffin, and Toucan).

East Germany has a unique traffic light man who wears a jaunty little hat. Ampelmannchen (little traffic light man), as he is called, has become symbolic of the East German nostalgia movement and his likeness is sold in gift shops. (The Ampelmannchen reminds me of the first time my dad saw our Birmingham walk lights and cried, "Well, hello Mr. Sparkly Man!" when he saw the bright light pictogram of a man crossing the street.)

Other cities have experimented with the Pedestrian Scramble (also called a Barnes Dance), where traffic is stopped on all four directions at once to allow pedestrians to cross any way they choose—even diagonally. These are popular in Japan, which has hundreds of these intersections. Fun Fact: One of the first Pedestrian Scrambles was in Kansas City, my hometown.