This morning's commute and other commuting stories

"3. Road junctions (170 to 183)
170
Take extra care at junctions. You should

watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters and pedestrians as they are not always easy to see. Be aware that they may not have seen or heard you if you are approaching from behind
watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning.** If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way.**"

Sorry but this is a source of much frustration for me when I'm a ped. You, as a rider or a driver, are entering a new road, of which is in use by a ped. Yes, obviously look to see if cars are flagrantly breaking this rule and are likely to run you down - no one wants that -, but the rule still states, to paraphrase, if you have started to cross you have priority. What if the indicating car is behind you as you look left and right and cross? or perhaps it is behind a bus/line of cars coming the other way? What if it isnt indicating (very likely)? are you just supposed to wait around in the case of a car perhaps turning up? No, this rule exists so you can, after checking both ways, cross the road in safety and approaching road users (who, of course, have slowed down as they are approaching a junction) will give way for you.

A source of frustration to me, too. I cannot count the number of times I have been shouted at, had horns sounded at me, threatened with assault and/or death, or had cars driven at me, for having the temerity to be crossing a road into which a car is turning.

The other day, out for a walk with the wife and in-laws, we stood on a central reservation at the entrance to a side road, whilst about thirty cars entered.

This is one of those cases which merit forcing your way across, and making sure you have a collapsible baton in your pocket.