Nearly got CREAMED in an intersection in DC. (Don't walk in DC - a rant)

[bertha katzenengel]

Surely most of you have heard of pedestrians killed by Metro buses in recent months.

The attitude that pedestrians are merely an impediment* to motorized traffic isn't exclusive to bus drivers.

I was crossing the street in a take-your-life-in-your-hands painted crosswalk. It's the kind of crosswalk that's corner to corner, and painted for pedestrians, but with no signal light and no stop sign for drivers. So of course you wait until traffic is clear, then you go. Unless drivers kindly stop for you, then you go with extreme caution.

Caution served me well this afternoon as I crossed. There was no eastbound traffic, and a truck leading the westbound traffic stopped for me. This was a mini-pickup truck, not some dump truck or semi blocking the view of the road. And some JERK! in an old white POS tore around the pickup into the eastbound lane and came about three feet from hitting me. If I hadn't been paying attention, if I had been looking the other way, I'd've been a grease smear at 8th & Eye Streets NW. :drama:

Oh, original me, all I could come up with to scream at the guy was "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GOOD CHRIST!

You know what this asshole did? He yelled at me, then waved me along as if I were in his way. :grr:

If you come here as a tourist, I welcome you, but please honor the traffic signals, use the crosswalks, and never, EVER let your guard down.

/rant

PS If Mrs. V. were there, she would've been in the guy's window screaming How fuckin' stupid are you! :loveya:

* Pun intended.

[seemunkee]

1. DC drivers are aggressive

I think they are worse than Boston of NYC drivers because of they are more aggressive and vindictive.
Glad you were paying attention.

[bertha katzenengel]

4. and definitely worse than L.A., too --

unless you're talking about ragers on the freeway.

:hi:

[kwassa]

2. DC should be full of clueless tourists now at cherry blossom time

We're used to it, the tourists wandering in the streets, blocking Metro escalators and doorways, sudden traffic snafus near major monuments. And what I call the Cherry Jam, the traffic gridlock over by the Jefferson Memorial. Plus the terrible potholes and road signage in the city makes for all kinds of fun.

The sign of spring in DC.

Sorry about your experience. No one should be driving like that.

[bertha katzenengel]

3. The Cherry Jam!

Yes, I avoid that part of town altogether - although in years past I've commuted through. :puke:

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

5. EXACTLY

Someone once said that NYC drivers will look like they're going to hit you, but they won't, while DC drivers won't look like they'll hit you, but they will. Very true, and it's because of the goddamn tourists and transplants that have no fucking clue how to get around down here, so they walk and drive around with their heads completely up their asses.

[Jimbo S]

6. Similiar situation, in 1984

Vacationing in DC. Trying to cross in the crosswalk to the pedestrian island. Everyone blew through the YIELD sign.