It’s never pleasant waking up to depressing news, but last night an SUV hit two pedestrians attempting to cross Rio Road.
This is the third incident of pedestrians getting hit on that same road.
Note to pedestrians: DON’T CROSS RIO ROAD ON FOOT. IT’S DANGEROUS AND EVEN MORE SO AT NIGHT.
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Tagged as: car, Daily Progress, hit, News, pedestrian, rio, road, suv
Note to pedestrians: do cross roads on foot. Screw cars, I hate them. Seriously, some people don’t have cars, and encouraging other people to drive on super short trips just adds to the car problem. I’ve often considered carrying a stick with a nail in the end to scratch up cars that bully human beings like me at intersections, etc. Most of the bullies drive those kinds of cars where they worry about every scratch. Down with ‘em down with ‘em.
I’m not very fond of cars either, mostly due to the pollution factor. I know I contribute to pollution by smoking, so I’ll make you a deal. You quit driving, and I’ll quit smoking. If you’re not willing to quit driving, then don’t bitch at me about my smoking. I prefer cycling overall. If you must cross a dangerous street, wear reflective garments & Be Careful!
note to SUV drivers: Don’t Be A-Holes.
The police officer they interviewed at the scene last night said that the accident occured at a very poorly lighted part of Rio. She said that if the pedestrians were wearing dark clothing (something she admitted to not knowing) it would have been next to impossible to see them in time, at that part of the street. It sounds to me like a very unfortunate accident. Probably some blame to be shared on both sides. I could be wrong, but it sounds like an intersection with no crosswalk or signal light. Hard for either side to react to the unexpected, under those circumstances.
On a related note, I saw a certain Alb. County Police Sgt. driving around Barrack’s Road yesterday evening while texting. Same officer who ran a woman over last year… gotta stop that, sarge..
blah blah blah - get off my roads, you stinkin’ pedestrians (or, as I like to call them, “crunchies”)
I believe the people who were hit were standing IN a turn lane. It was also on the West side of Rio, the other accident occurred on the east side. There is little question that Albemarle does a terrible job making any where near Rt. 29 walkable.
never ceases to amaze me how much charlottesville hates SUVs. two people who are wearing dark clothes and jaywalking across a four-lane road at night get hit, but the girl driving the SUV is an asshole? where’s the logic in that?
This town is actually very pedestrian friendly (so long as you are not in a wheelchair). This is much to my dislike, since I’ve found the occasional pedestrian who assumes that all of traffic is supposed to stop because he or she wants to cross the street. Around UVA, it’s an assumption I have come to live with. During bad weather, like rain, sure - you’re getting wet, go ahead and cross the street.
But in other circumstances? Not really. Learn to use the crosswalk, and look both ways, just as I follow the speed limit and stop at red lights. Thanks!
Esteban, I hope that you are yielding to pedestrians trying to cross in crosswalks where the intersection has no light and no cross signal. Failing to yield, under those circumstances, can put you in ticket-land. While it isn’t bright for a pedestrian to dash into traffic in front of a speeding car, under those circumstances, they still do have the right of way.
Of course I yield at crosswalks - that’s why I added that pedestrians should look for them and use them. But I see pedestrians all the time “making” their own crosswalk by crossing the street under other conditions.
Cool. I hear you, Esteban. And it sounds as if the people crossing Rio last night were doing exactly that. Dangerous for everyone concerned.
Well, if I had to guess, the people crossing Rio late at night were drunk. I’d say “Rivals!” but it sounds like it wasn’t near there.
Small clarification. The law is you people in machines must yield to actual humans at *all* intersections, driveways, and *also* at marked crosswalks mid-block. At intersections, the crosswalk makes no diff. You *must* yield while turning, no matter what light you have. When going straight, and you have the green, the actual human should let you go first. That is the only time you have the right of way. Back off!
There is an exception for visually handicapped humans. Since they can’t drive, they can walk any damn place they want. They have right of way even mid-block with no crosswalk. References available upon request. I prefer at least 8K per month, and dental.
Colfer, I’m not sure that the people on Rio were actually at an intersection. They were close to one, if there was a turning lane, I’d think, but I think a lot of the problem I’ve seen on Rio and 29 is people literally making their own crosswalk. As in, not crossing at a corner. Midblock crossing (or jaywalking, if you will), where the blocks are ginormously long, seems to happen a lot around here. You really take your chances if you don’t at least walk to a corner.
@8: i did not say THIS SUV driver was an asshole. i was saying, generally, here’s a tip: don’t be an asshole.
Not everyone who drives and SUV is an asshole, but they are all trucknuts.
Having learned to walk in Massachusetts I jaywalk with impunity
I’m still waiting for the pedestrian unharmed ,car destroyed headline…..just wish everyone was attentive and that bike riders would occasionly follow the traffic laws in this town.
Of course there ARE exceptions to the rudeness & aggressiveness of SUV drivers …………but not very many. So my apologies, in advance, to the SUV drivers who ARE courteous & safe drivers………
I find that, because many SUV drivers appear to think themselves invincible, they are generally the most RUDE & AGGRESSIVE drivers out there. No consideration at all for other drivers.
Chances are that if I’m being tailgated (when I’m already doing better than the speed limit), it’s by an SUV driver.
Chances are, when I see a wreck on Route 29, there’s an SUV involved. Try noticing it; you’ll see what I mean.
Chances are, when I see a moron trying to talk on the phone whilst driving (weaving all over the road & not maintaining a consistent speed) that’s it’s more than likely an SUV driver.
Furthermore, an SUV with Maryland plates, and the driver on a cellphone is a nightmare for the rest of us……….