Pedestrian Survival Guidance: Cross In Front of Clunkers

A report in the Guardian included some striking findings about behaviour and social class, as manifested between drivers and pedestrians. Researchers in California carried out an experiment to see whether drivers, “stopped for a person who tried to walk across the junction using a pedestrian crossing. Drivers of the cheapest and oldest cars were most likely to slow down and give way, followed by those in average quality cars. But those in the most prestigious cars drove on regardless of the pedestrian around 45% of the time.” Something to bear in mind when you’re trying to get across the road: it’s not just white van man you need to watch out for - pay close attention to the Beemers, the Mercs and the Chelsea tractors if you want to make it to the other side.