Pedestrians in Car Parks

[Silver Ghia]

This morning while pushing the supermarket trolley back to the car, I was waiting for a queue of cars to pass, that were turning into the carpark laneway I wanted to cross.

There was no pedestrian crossing.

This woman came up from behind with a couple of children in tow and another woman, and said "these drivers are supposed to give way to pedestrians, even if the they whinge about it." Then she crossed in front of these cars.

I almost said to the woman that there is no pedestrian crossing here, but I didn't. Maybe I should have.

This seems to be the mentality these days that drivers always seem to be in the wrong if they hit pedestrians on roads and in carparks (except at pedestrian crossings of course where they obviously are in the wrong).

These days pedestrians always seem to walk behind the car when I'm parking or reversing in or out of a car space. I was brought up to always wait for cars to pass. But its the opposite these days.

Maybe its the media causing this, as whenever they report on a pedestrian being run over, the driver is almost always perceived to be in the wrong. Probably the 40 kph limit zones these days in shopping precincts also make the situation unclear. But I think this is another example where the world has gone mad.

[Gothefalcon]

It is my understanding (here n SA at least) that carparks are considered "share zones" for car & foot traffic... and that cars are meant to give way to pedestrians at all times.

now... no-one should ever just blindly walk out in front of a moving vehicle.. no matter what the rules say... it's just self preservation really... but if the two should ever collide (heaven forbid).. . then it's not the car that gets hurt... hence the onus is on the driver to give way.

Not sure what the "rule" is in other States.

D

[xtremerus]

It is no good being dead right.

[Ford_The_Win]

I think a lot of is that it's just that time of year in the leadup to Christmas, everyone seems to be in a hurry. I steer clear of the shops if I can. All the overweight soccer mums with brats in tow are out and about at the moment.

[Simple6]

It's nice here in Alice - we have 2 (two) marked zebra pedestrian crossings in the whole town. I can actually only think of one at the moment, but I know I've seen another somewhere.

Either way, there is certainly no confusion here - cars have right of way, and if you (as a pedestrian) want to cross then wait for a gap. That goes for the whole CBD area (which is full of pedestrians and roundabouts) and the various suburbs. The only change is for school crossings where a lollipop man or lady with come out with a sign to stop you during school start and finish.

It's a good system - traffic flows well!

[Brazen]

I was under the impression that cars need to give way to pedestrians in a car park.

[LG17]

Originally Posted by Simple6

It's nice here in Alice - we have 2 (two) marked zebra pedestrian crossings in the whole town. I can actually only think of one at the moment, but I know I've seen another somewhere.

Either way, there is certainly no confusion here - cars have right of way, and if you (as a pedestrian) want to cross then wait for a gap. That goes for the whole CBD area (which is full of pedestrians and roundabouts) and the various suburbs. The only change is for school crossings where a lollipop man or lady with come out with a sign to stop you during school start and finish.

It's a good system - traffic flows well!

That's 2 more than us!

[GasoLane]

Most of our shopping centre car parks here have pedestrian crossing in them, otherwise it's the 'Might has right' rule and you give way to cars.

[olfella]

In Shared Zones, the car must always give way to pedestrians - not that agree as I think if it is a car park then the pedestrian is also a driver and a bit of common sense/give and take should prevail. Bit like how bikes now seem to have all the rights. Regardless of speed limits, it is harder to stop a car than stop walking and that is without having to have eyes everywhere to keep looking out for gunho pedestrians. Then who comes off best regardless of 'rights' and forcing a situation?

[Ben73]

I always thought cars have the right of way most of the time.

In that picture if you look to the left of the building where the diagonal lines are, that usually indicates a shared zone where pedestrians have right of way.

[39ClevoUte]

The only reason I may not stop for a pedestrian, regardless of a crossing or not, is in case some other knuckle head looks like they may cream them if I did.

[tonys6550]

I always give way to pedestrians in car parks, But that's just me. When I'm walking back to my car in a car park I always give way to cars but that's just me.
There are lots of temporary Australians out there vying for the Darwin Awards, Self preservation is my number one goal

[CoupeKing]

Pedestrians are convinced they have right of way, even when they don't. Some also think that walking on a crossing is some force field that will prevent them from getting trapped under hot exhaust pipes.

[cheap]

My experience, many drivers once they enter a car park, their driving ability is instantly reduced, they're mostly interested in (a) trying to find a car spot or (b) trying to exit. They become blind to everything else including pedestrians.

Then a strange thing happens, that same motorist once they exit their car is transported into another reality, they become a pedestrian and a critic of all the motorists.

Personally I find a using a shopping trolley conveniently placed in the trajectory of on coming cars is a great leveller in the game of motorist V's pedestrian.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Ben73

image

I always thought cars have the right of way most of the time.

In that picture if you look to the left of the building where the diagonal lines are, that usually indicates a shared zone where pedestrians have right of way.

Yes, I would think that the diagonal lines are essentially a pedestrian crossing area, so the cars would have to give way.

[jpblue1000]

I think some of you guys should have a look here
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...es/pedestrians
and here
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/ltobjst8.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/407B49EE3C518A9CCA257C7800198F1A/$FILE/09-94sra012%20authorised.pdf
or similar for your states

JP

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by jpblue1000

I think some of you guys should have a look here
https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safe...es/pedestrians
and here
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/ltobjst8.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/407B49EE3C518A9CCA257C7800198F1A/$FILE/09-94sra012%20authorised.pdf
or similar for your states

JP

I know I'm getting old and my eyesight is failing but where was the bit concerning car parks ?

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I know I'm getting old and my eyesight is failing but where was the bit concerning car parks ?

Don't road rules apply in carparks? Sometimes I see signs at carpark entrances stating that also.

[tonys6550]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I know I'm getting old and my eyesight is failing but where was the bit concerning car parks ?

Car parks are usually private property, But kindly referring to jdblue1000' link, And I quote,
"In shared zones
You must give way to pedestrians in a shared zone. A shared zone is an area shared by vehicles and pedestrians."

[sleek7]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Pedestrians are convinced they have right of way, even when they don't. Some also think that walking on a crossing is some force field that will prevent them from getting trapped under hot exhaust pipes.

You're not wrong, my wife had the same mentality.
I've had to drill into her just because you technically have right of way on the crossing does not mean that the driver is always going to give way...
As the driver has a duty to obey the rules and stop, you also have a duty of care for yourself to look both ways and be confident that any cars are going to stop before stepping out in front of one.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by tonys6550

Car parks are usually private property, But kindly referring to jdblue1000' link, And I quote,
"In shared zones
You must give way to pedestrians in a shared zone. A shared zone is an area shared by vehicles and pedestrians."

Rule 83 refers to Rule 24 for defining a shared zone. Rule 24 basically defines a shared zone as an area or length of road identified by shared zone signs.

I'm sure the carparks I go to dont have shared zone signs.

[tonys6550]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Rule 83 refers to Rule 24 for defining a shared zone. Rule 24 basically defines a shared zone as an area or length of road identified by shared zone signs.

I'm sure the carparks I go to dont have shared zone signs.

Umm, OK.

[neverready3]

A good friend of mine goes by the saying , he'd rather be alive than dead right.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

I was waiting for a queue of cars to pass, that were turning into the carpark laneway I wanted to cross.

a turning driver must give way to a pedestrian, even if there is no crossing marked.

[supershifty]

I'll be the devil's advocate here, I've always believed the pedestrian has full right of way no matter how wrong they are - don't want no legal issues, don't want to run over anyone.

I've seen plenty of brain dead scenarios conducted in car parks by idiots as we all have.

I park away from the throng of folk "needing" to get the closest of car parks, dodged wayward trolleys from people too lazy to return them to the trolley bays, and look carefully when I'm reversing out.

What more can a simple thinking person do?

Cheers!

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by supershifty

I'll be the devil's advocate here, I've always believed the pedestrian has full right of way no matter how wrong they are - don't want no legal issues, don't want to run over anyone.

I've seen plenty of brain dead scenarios conducted in car parks by idiots as we all have.

I park away from the throng of folk "needing" to get the closest of car parks, dodged wayward trolleys from people too lazy to return them to the trolley bays, and look carefully when I'm reversing out.

What more can a simple thinking person do?

Cheers!

This...

Il also add, I believe drivers actually are obliged by law to give way anywhere... Otherwise any pedestrian that stepped foot on a road would be fair game.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by supershifty

I'll be the devil's advocate here, I've always believed the pedestrian has full right of way no matter how wrong they are - don't want no legal issues, don't want to run over anyone.

a lot of pedestrians seem to operate under that assumption too. AFAIK, there is no 'right of way' in the Aust road rules, only a requirement to give way (which sometimes favours the driver, not the pedestrian).

[supershifty]

Originally Posted by b0son

a lot of pedestrians seem to operate under that assumption too. AFAIK, there is no 'right of way' in the Aust road rules, only a requirement to give way (which sometimes favours the driver, not the pedestrian).

Mate, that's just the rules I work on - I'd rather it be your way at times, not arguing one iota, just hate to push my luck if it ****ed up against my favour.

I hear ya though!

Cheers!

[Adamz Ghia]

Walking through a car park I always give way to a car and never walk in front of one unless I've made eye contact with the driver and they've waved me across. I've been hit by a car before and I don't intend to be hit again. As a driver of I've seen a pedestrian early enough I'll wave them across, otherwise if they pop out too late I keep going on my way. Worked for me so far.

[NAK302]

i've never understood why an average 85kg person would blindly walk out into the path of something weighing around 2 tonnes with a velocity of 20km/h (sometimes way more) with an arrogant Aussie operating it.
in my view, at any shopping centre anywhere, that 2 tonne machine with said operator can have ALL the right of way.