Pedestrian Crossings

[Art]

Do local people understand the purpose of a pedestrian crossing.?

Driving through Girne in heavy traffic I decided to stop to allow three young school children to cross over a very clearly marked crossing.A car driven by a young man just ignored the crossing and literally came within a meter of hitting the children as they were crossing over..This easily could have led to a number of fatalities.

I eventually caught up with driver and he just couldn’t understand what the problem was?

Is failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing an offense in the TRNC.?

[Steve C]

It appears to me that many do not understand the concept of pedestrian crossings. I often see cars not stop even when people are crossing and the drivers are obviously totally ignorant to the fact that they have done anything wrong.

[Art]

Yes I agree and I now have second thoughts about stopping at one...I’m sure I would be blamed if an accident happened..

It would be my fault for stopping.

[aljanyoung]

I no longer stop if someone is standing waiting at a crossing as I had a very similar experience when I stopped to let a couple cross. A driver behind pulled out overtook me and missed the couple by inches. While my instinct is to give way to pedestrians I now fear that by doing so I could lead to a pedestrian getting injured or worse.
I do not know the legal situation here regarding Peddies crossings.

[Ozangirl]

I note that you followed the driver, we have been warned not to do this by the police ! We had a similar experience in that, also in Girne, a driver came straight out of the turning near Upper Crust to turn right heading back towards Ozankoy, not even looking and drove like a maniac and missed a young lad on a bike by inches. We followed the driver as he was heading in the same direction as us anyway, he pulled up in Karakum on the main road and we stopped behind him, got out and asked why he drove like that nearly killing someone - his answer was to thump and kick my husband to the ground (was totally wired)!! Luckily some people came to help and we drove straight to the Police Station with a note of his number plate. The Police turned it back on us and said we shouldn't have followed him! No further action was taken !

[frontalman]

We were told 15 years ago that the zebra crossings here do not mean the same as in the UK. Just go to the Lemar in Lefkosa near the pound shop and see the zigzags full of parked cars. I've never stopped to allow someone to cross and I don't intend to start anytime soon, because of any confusion or misunderstanding which may arise. Maybe someone can advise to their actual purpose here.

[terry2366]

Don't blame it all on the locals I was crossing from the main square in Girne on the zebra at midday on a sunny day in the middle I was hit by a hire car. I was knocked about 20 feet suffering injury to my leg face and arm not broken but tendons damaged so the the leg flopped sideways. Taken to hospital leg bandaged and told to take painkillers next day was put in a plaster when they realised their mistake. Police fined the driver and let him go. Why am I telling you this ,the drivers name was Alberto Santini and Italian working for the eu transport and road safety.

[Dalartokat]

http://bub.gov.ct.tr/Portals/27/TRAFIK_ ... 35756-427r

Number 4.

[Panchocat]

You take your life in your hands when using the crossing outside Lemar in Karakum.
Not helped by how quickly the paint wears off.

[waddo]

I have taken great pleasure in slapping the sides of vehicles that have not stopped when I have been crossing on a pedestrian crossing. On two occasions they have been Police cars!! Both times the police cars stopped and I was questioned as to why I hit their vehicle - my answer was simple, I did not hit their vehicle - their bad driving and total disregard for the law of the road caused them to hit me (one of them was on his mobile phone at the time), they "grumped" a little but as I had already taken a picture of their license plate they just got back in and drove off! I reported both events to the police station in Girne - no further action was taken.

I will always stop for people on crossings - it is the law - if somebody hits me from behind then I am happy for two reasons. 1. It is the responsibility of the car behind to leave sufficient room between themselves and the car in front to allow them to stop should the car in front suddenly stop! 2. By hitting me I will have protected the lives of the people on the crossing! You can always get another car - lives are not replaceable.

Drive safely, drive with caution but remember you are not in Rome - there is no reason to do as they do and if you consider you should then stop driving!!

[Cally]

I must admit as a visitor I find the Lemar crossing in Karakum a tad scary, but once stepped onto the road the majority have stopped & likewise the other side as well. I would also stop in my hire car.

[waddo]

Good for you Cally! It is easy to give up and blame it all on “Cyprus” but things are changing here for the better, glad to see you are supporting the change. In the end it is all about education and leadership!

[d1cxx]

It seems to me, that pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, where you have to push the button may help solve the problem, and perhaps save lives.

[mrsgee]

Sadly they don't take any notice of lights either.... crazy. It is strange when they won't stop if you are walking on a crossing, but locals, especially youngsters, just wander across, put their arm up... and it works....... they don't even look up from their phone half the time, clearly it is us Brits who have got it wrong....

[sophie]

I must admit, I'm one of the Put Hands Up brigade. Him indoors says "one day someone will ignore you" but its worked for years and I usually get a little wave from the driver as well (not women drivers though) and I don't make a phone call at the same time. Pays to keep your eyes on the ball, just in case and decide what sort of speed the driver is doing.

[Art]

In my instance waving at the driver would never of worked because he over took me not even realizing the children were walking across the crossing .My car blocked his view and he was also driving to quickly to have stopped. He was totally oblivious to the situation not realizing the children were crossing.They were extremely lucky and hopefully you will be in future but I think you’re husband is right in saying don’t take any risks,

[sophie]

I don't take stupid risks and I judge the speed of the vehicle in question. This morning I crossed by The Colony x 2 and by the entrance to municipal car park x 2, using the stop hand sign and it worked . However they were probably only doing 10kph at most, but they stopped, waved me across and I thanked them. The drivers here are not all ignorant, stupid b====ds, just some of them!! Or maybe they think, poor old soul!!!

[Art]

Let us all hope you never come across a stupid B during your travels.

Good luck and take care.