S-T-O-P
1) to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before 2) to cause (someone or something) to not move, walk, etc., after doing so before 3) to not do something that you have been doing before; to not continue doing something — Merriam-Webster
The Merriam-Webster definition is clear. But it’s equally clear that many West Hollywood drivers don’t know what that octangular red sign with the white letters S T O P on it actually means.
Data from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station shows most of the pedestrian accidents that have stirred outrage among local residents are the fault of motorists. If there’s any doubt just how obtuse drivers can be at stop signs, it is erased by a several dozen videos that Keith Cohn made on Kings Road near its intersection with Romaine.
Cohn, who lives on Kings Road, spoke at a recent City Council hearing on pedestrian safety and mentioned the safety issue there. He generously provided to WEHOville.com the video above and others below.
I think just about everything that can be said on this topic has been said …… several times.
This is not to say that the above video doesn’t show “bad” drivers. But some stop signs seriously need to be more visible as well as of course we all need to look out for drivers. That stop sign is “new” but no excuse, however the one that really is bad is down from there and I walk it daily Kings/ Willoughby. No visibility for a driver to see you about to cross. I can’t afford a stop sign ticket which is about the same price and points as a red light. But people roll through them. People behind me… Read more »
Mike – I may have confused you with others who have stated as though they were experts that pedestrians always have the right of way when they enter any street anywhere. Gets confusing here sometimes. You are right as well that irrespective of right of way all pedestrians in crosswalks and with the right of way need to protect themselves and act smart.
Sorry. Please be honest with yourself and stop all this rather childish and defensive back and forth. STOP means STOP, and that goes to cyclists as well.
Never said otherwise. But when crossing the street no matter if there is a revolving red beacon and a siren it’s still wise to wait until all the vehicles stop before stepping out in front of them.
WeHoVaudivillian, I just saw your reference to me in the crosswalk discussion. I wasn’t defending drivers who don’t come to a full stop here. I didn’t see any pedestrians in the video, or anywhere in the area. Yes, the letter of the law says to come to a complete stop, and they would deserve a ticket if they didn’t fully stop whether anyone was around or not. But for this video to have the intended impact, I was expecting to see more evidence of walkers in jeopardy. The crosswalk discussion was a very different one entirely. My point there was… Read more »
Mike Dunn Where do you come up with the notion that pedestrians are always in the right? That is neither a logical nor a legal fact. If someone jaywalks, a driver is required to be paying appropriate attention and make every effort not to hit him. But the pedestrian doesn’t have the right of way as he does in a crosswalk. Not remotely. If a driver slams on the breaks to avoid hitting a jaywalker and the car behind him hits him, the pedestrian if identified can be liable for all damage. Not sure why you are trying to take… Read more »
I don’t know how you believe I think j-walkers have the right of way. No way do they. What I have repeatedly tried to point out is pedestrians crossing the street in crosswalks must do so cautiously and not expect the traffic to come to a immediate stop as they step off the curb. What I’m saying is wait until all the traffic comes to a complete stop before crossing. If you fallow my posts you would see I have investigated hundreds of accidents some of which involved pedestrian fatalities. I’m well aware of what can happen when there is… Read more »
Mike, yes, walking out in front of a vehicle that has no time to stop would be suicidal. That’s why only suicidal people do it. No matter how much you say otherwise, driver error is the cause, 9/10 times. The vast majority of pedestrians enter crosswalks safely, and have given the driver safe stopping times. The vast majority of times there is an accident, the driver is a) driving above the posted speed limit, reducing their stopping time, b) distracted – you criticise pedestrians for texting, yet the CDC states in their national statistics gathering, that cellphone use by drivers… Read more »
Although you may disagree but the safest way of not being hit is to wait until all the on coming vehicles come to a complete stop. Assuming they will is not a safe practice. All the reasons you point out of drivers errors is the exact reason to be extra cautious. One you did not point out which I as a driver have problems with is sun in ones eyes going eastbound in the early morning and westbound in the late afternoon. Concerning cell phones. I see far to many people totally occupied using them. On the street I live… Read more »
The city controls parking tickets. The Sheriff’s Dept controls traffic tickets. Different departments folks. The city can suggest increased traffic tickets, but it isn’t their decision. Also, the city gets 100% of the revenie from parking tickets. I believe they share the money from traffic violations.
WeHo would rather make money off of parking enforcement than enforcing the rules of the road.
I can’t count how many times I’ve almost been run over at Sweetzer and Norton…not only do many people not stop , they don’t even slow down and are speeding to catch the lights on either end…if WeHo needs some to replenish city funds then station some police there for a few weeks..they’d make a ton of $$ off the tickets.
You should venture over to Olive Dr. It’s like a freeway in the morning.
I’m guessing Mike Dunn doesn’t walk in WeHo very often….
I walk everyday and I’m cautious when I cross the street. Texting or talking on my cell is something I do not do. What is so difficult in looking both ways and not stepping out in front of a moving vehicle?
You’re anecdotes are relevant only to the incidents they describe.
For the vast majority of pedestrians seriously injured or killed in crosswalks, it is down to driver error, not some “suicidal pedestrian” fantasy you have going on. It’s in your head only.
You talk about how the responsibility is shared, like there is an equivocation. There is none.
Fixing the problem requires looking at changing and/or punishing dangerous (and illegal) driver behavior.
Well it’s apparent in your dream world pedestrians should be able to dart into the street and if they get hit it’s the drivers fault. Never mind the scientific established normal reaction time to stop an auto, truck or bus. Pedestrians have the right of way and if they get hit no matter how dangerous their actions are they are always in the right. By the way. Step in front of a moving transit bus. It takes 120 feet for them to make a safe stop. But as your being dragged under the bus, keep telling yourself “you were in… Read more »