If you live or work in a downtown metropolis, this poll is for you.

[Bertha Venation]

Poll question: If you live or work in a downtown metropolis, this poll is for you.

I work in Washington, DC. I am finally getting used to the fact that most pedestrians ignore the law. I'd say 98% of pedestrians cross against the light if they think they can make it. And daily I see several people cross the street wherever they please, in traffic.

When I'm walking, it doesn't affect me. All I do is wonder about folks' sanity while they're rushing across the street and I'm standing there, waiting for the right of way. :shrug:

But when I'm driving (or riding in a cab) it scares the shit out of me. It's worst on Pennsylvania Ave. in SE Washington, where the people don't know what a crosswalk is, or what traffic lights & pedestrian signals mean. There, it's quite like a game of Frogger. I have seen people nearly hit more than once, and I have hit the horn and seen idiots jump out of their skin because they didn't see me -- or maybe thought I was farther away. I've also hit the brakes a couple of times to avoid hitting some jackass.

What's it like in your city?

[Bertha Venation]

1. Frogger is a video game in which a frog tries to hop across

busy streets. When I play, he frequently gets squashed.

[sbj405]

2. I live just outside DC and there are some pedestrian with a death wish

Despite numerous accidents over peds being killed (usually their fault), people chose to just dart out wherever. There is one place I drive regularly which has a ped overpass, yet the lazy asses will jaywalk right under across 8 lanes. Nothing pisses me off more than seeing an adult with children in tow jaywalking. I see that was nothing short of child endangerment. I wish the police would enforce the pedestrian laws.

[American Tragedy]

3. I wish I could say that I've never been guilty of this, but...

[tjwmason]

4. Jaywalking's legal in England

We can run across to our hearts' content.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

5. I work in dahntahn Pittsburgh

From my observation, people generally play it pretty safe, but there are of course random risk takers.

[terrya]

6. It's pretty safe in the Loop in Chicago.

Everyone obeys the lights...pedestrians and drivers alike here.

T