Every time I’ve been hit by a car, it’s been when I’ve had the right of way. You have to be super defensive as a pedestrian because you can be thoroughly solidly right and follow all the rules… and still end up dead.
Twice. Once by someone turning right on a red, head turned to see if the traffic cleared and who didn’t bother looking straight ahead before moving and I was in the crosswalk; and once by someone who drove through a crosswalk, stopped to park, I believe realized they weren’t in a parking spot, and backed into the crosswalk after I had started crossing. Both times I was in the centre of their car and thankfully a soild whump of the hand made them stop.
Different person: I’ve been struck on a bike. Driver didn’t look while pulling out of a driveway and hit my rear wheel as I passed directly in front of them. They didn’t notice until I was right by their window (having pushed my bike aside) then they stared blankly at me and drove off. Zero awareness or concern. If I had been slower I’m sure they would have lazily driven over me.
And I know a dude who was intentionally hit by a car at speed (also cycling) and has permanent injuries.
And I know another guy who was hit by a drunk driver at a crosswalk.
It’s not that uncommon.
Oh, and one of my sister’s childhood friends was killed by an inattentive driver. It’s way too easy to get, and keep, a license.
Every time I’ve been hit by a car, it’s been when I’ve had the right of way. You have to be super defensive as a pedestrian because you can be thoroughly solidly right and follow all the rules… and still end up dead.
How many times have you been hit by a car? To be hit once is a lot.
Twice. Once by someone turning right on a red, head turned to see if the traffic cleared and who didn’t bother looking straight ahead before moving and I was in the crosswalk; and once by someone who drove through a crosswalk, stopped to park, I believe realized they weren’t in a parking spot, and backed into the crosswalk after I had started crossing. Both times I was in the centre of their car and thankfully a soild whump of the hand made them stop.
Different person: I’ve been struck on a bike. Driver didn’t look while pulling out of a driveway and hit my rear wheel as I passed directly in front of them. They didn’t notice until I was right by their window (having pushed my bike aside) then they stared blankly at me and drove off. Zero awareness or concern. If I had been slower I’m sure they would have lazily driven over me.
And I know a dude who was intentionally hit by a car at speed (also cycling) and has permanent injuries.
And I know another guy who was hit by a drunk driver at a crosswalk.
It’s not that uncommon.
Oh, and one of my sister’s childhood friends was killed by an inattentive driver. It’s way too easy to get, and keep, a license.
Twice more than I would have liked to.
Very fortunate nobody was hurt
I got hit once. He ran over my toe, when I had the green crosswalk, and then yelled at me and sped off. Old timer and his wife. Yay