Pedestrian woes... or, how to make someone who walks incredibly angry

[wylekat]

I live in NC- and I gave up my car due to repair bills outstripping my ability to keep any money. I walk. I take the bus- and I live a ways out from the city, so even the bus stop is a mile or so away.

At any rate: I am a safe pedestrian, having walked many more miles than I have driven over the years. HOWEVER... the people I deal with act like I should be wiped from existence! I have had people aim at me, I have had people cross the double yellow line to see how close they can get, I had 2 people yesterday go out of their way to run me down- I consider crossing 2 lanes, coming onto the shoulder and honking 'out of their way'.

I am not going to become a shut in or call a cab every time I want to go out. I LIKE walking, and even when I had a car- if I was going to go somewhere within 3 miles- I walked. This last round of crap has had me to the point where I am seriously considering a concealed weapons permit and a small handgun.

I am not looking to kill anyone (even tho these people are hell bent on killing ME)- I am looking for a way to at least defend myself, if not damage the car enough so it can be ID'd if I do get a chance to call cops and manage a description at least. I have found getting a license # is near impossible, and calling the local police around here was less law enforcement and more a Monty Python Sketch. When I called them, I had some lunatic baptist hurtling at me at 45+ (the speed limit on the road where I live is 35), in front of my house, ON SNOW AND ICE. They pulled into church, and it was all I could do to not go in there and punch the guy out... Then the oh so fun police call I called one agency, who referred me to another, who referred me to yet ANOTHER... "We didnt see anything, and it's your word against theirs". I pretty much asked them: "so, what- I have to be hit before something's done?"

I am citing self defense- if these people aim their car at me, it's a ton or more of metal that has just been turned into a weapon. I am in no condition to be diving off the shoulder and into a ditch- I have a really bad back (which is why I am walking anyways- that rare animal called exercise- which no one here has ever heard of....), and to be perfectly honest- I am sick of people thinking that I am walking out there for THEIR amusement.

I am sure I'll hear at least one 'you need to move'. Dont I know it. That is a problem that'll be solved in the future...

[Piggy]

A video camera would be a better friend than a gun. Here is the problem, if you pull your gun on someone, that person may also have a gun. If you do shoot, you may miss, kill an innocent person and be charged with manslaughter. You may also hit a passenger in the car which would also result in a manslaughter charge. Is it worth 10-20 years in prison? Not even police officers shoot at moving cars for this very reason. I'm sure it is an irritating situation but you have to think long term.

You can get video cameras in a palm size unit that are just as small and less expensive than a handgun. Videotape the problem and present the video to the local police and/or prosecutor for your area.

[Cat_Doc]

I wonder why they are aiming at you?

[wylekat]

Been thinking about it- but will the camera be able to capture the plate # while said sucker's trying to break the sound barrier? Also, there's battery life. I am sure I can get away with rechargeables... but I need something that can record for up to 3-4 hours at least.

The cops around here tho... they are more usless than a rash in a tender area... And if they do nothing, I am well more than prone to upload the video to Youtube for all to see. You have to be nearly on fire and bleeding to death before there's action in most cases. The Sheriff? Not bad. I understand their take on some things, like not getting clear fingerprints off a knife I managed to get out of a place my neighbor owns that looked exactly like a tossed salad when someone went thru there (it's used for storage). The local cops/ highway patrol? *shakes head and makes a sad face* Like the fool who nearly plowed me over when the road was covered in ice and snow- I am on the correct side of the road, and he missed me by INCHES. I called 3 seperate agencies, and I ended up asking them quite honestly: "I have to be hit before anyone does anything?!"

*starts looking for good, cheap, handheld vdeo cameras* Actually, I may link the Youtube vids here- it'll certainly cant hurt.... someone might even be a lawyer who sees it and actually help me. Well, I can dream, cant I?:-P

[wylekat]

I have several theories... One- I am such a sight walking (oh, yes... WALKING!) that people cannot comprehend what the hell to do- plus in the case of the church crowd (there's a baptist church across the street)- unless you're the Incredible Hulk, and you're armored, you do NOT walk on this road before or after services. You just dont. These people will send you to meet your maker and not so much as blink. People pull their pets in on Wed, Sun, and any day the joint has anything extra going on.

two- since I am walking, I am obviously poor, indigent, and dumber than a sack of rocks. Never mind the fact I am going to be going back to college for 3d game and simulation courses. Never mind the fact I can draw, paint, and generally out talent a lot of people. Oh, and just NEVER MIND the fact I have someone I am going to be married to! If someone hits me, they better hope to god no one catches them.. Forget anything *I'd do*.

I'm a target, good for at least 10 points- 15 if I am hit head on.

three- There's so many buttholes around here, that if they flew, the sky would be black and the sun would be blotted out?:-P

I'm just going to get a video camera and record what goes on. A picture is a thousand words, and a video of this will leave ya speechless.

[Piggy]

Why not volunteer as a Reserve Officer? You can address some of those concerns personally and still stay on shape.

[mcsap]

Are you complying with the NC laws regarding where pedestrians are to walk ?

[Gutwrench]

There's so many buttholes around here, that if they flew, the sky would be black and the sun would be blotted out?

Whoa! I'm slowly backing out of this thread...and putting on my hat just in case.

[icu650]

I realize that you said that cars are expensive to have and of course they sure are. I am curious, however, if you still have a valid drivers license or did you vouluntarily give that up and just started walking. Maybe, if you found a close neighbor to make friends with you could help him/her around their house in exchange for rides.

[Samuel]

Another case of gang stalking run amok!

[deputywave]

Tin foil deflects a motorist's targeting RADAR.

[ChesCopPodz]

You wouldn't necessarily need to keep the camera running during your entire walk. Just keep it in your hand and hit the button when a car approaches.

[wylekat]

Are you complying with the NC laws regarding where pedestrians are to walk ?

Yup. Only time I am up against it is when I'm better off going down the highway I live on to the next town (which is a mile or so compared to 3+ going to the city, or taking bus # 1, bus #2, and spending 4 HOURS on a one hour errand). Even THEN, I stay as far off the road as I can get- I know the day will come when someone will need to actually use that lane, and then, I will gladly dive off into the ditch if need be. I still stay on the shoulder- because of my bad back- I can turn an ankle at the drop of a hat, or even the suggestion of it.

**icu650

I realize that you said that cars are expensive to have and of course they sure are. I am curious, however, if you still have a valid drivers license or did you voluntarily give that up and just started walking.**

I gave up the car, but not the license. Also- when I move, I'll be moving in with the woman I'm going to marry, and she'll let me drive her car. Less time walking (except when I pull in to go to town out there- then I'll walk all over the place, then drive home), and I'll also need the car when I go to college.

**Samuel

Another case of gang stalking run amok!**

Dont laugh... I've actually *been* thru that crap. What makes it worse (and no, I cant prove it, otherwise...) is my ex boss actually did try to kill me. Which is why he's the ex boss....... and I happily went on full disability for my back. And didnt stay where I was living. I have a pretty nice, quiet life here- Just these frigging lunatics who look at me and see a points indicator flashing over my head!

**deputywave

Tin foil deflects a motorist's targeting RADAR.**

But it chafes so....

**ChesCopPodz

You wouldn't necessarily need to keep the camera running during your entire walk. Just keep it in your hand and hit the button when a car approaches.**

I have a cheap, cheap, cheap CVS disposable video camera... one time use (and one wonders why they discontinued the use of them). I tried it with that... the stupid thing would shut off, and take like 10 seconds to reboot, and by then, well....

Also- how do I deal with the occasional fruitloop that comes across the yellow line, behind me (yes, with me still walking up the facing traffic side!) and tries to wipe me out? By the time that happens... he's already down the road. One of these days, someone's going to do that, there's going to be an oncoming car, and if I'm lucky, I will be telling a cop why the car from the far lane is buried in the oncoming car.... And not a bloody smear in every direction.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

People naturally drive toward what they look at and focus on. That's why you have news accounts of people driving into the backs of fully lit police cars on traffic stops. They focus on all the flashing lights and drive right into 'em. Instead of some nefarious motive of people deliberately out to get you, isn't it more likely that the old blue-hairs (who only pull the car out of the garage twice a week to go to that church across the street) are focusing on you and are subconsciously steering toward their focus?

[wylekat]

Well, it isnt just blue hairs... you have the middle class who barrel down that road at mach 3, too- and the looks on their faces is the same: "Who are you to be in MY way?" .

The ones I fear are the ones who take great delight in actually trying to mow me down. the ones who not only aim, but play pedestrian chicken with me, and pull away at the last second. The ones who will cross the yellow line to try to miss me with as few inches to spare as possible. Or like the past 2- they actually DID aim. At me.

There is a stigma about pedestrians here in NC- I wish I had saved the Craigslist Rans N Raves post: The poster was going on about 'Spandex Possums', and pedestrians.... Spandez possums are bicyclists. He took great pleasure in shooting them with his winshield washer, and if he could he'd mow them down.

There's a pedestrian crosswalk in Greensboro... Big flashing signs, signs that say CAUTION! PEDESTRIANS CROSSING! From what I have read- people are lucky to not get killed while people plow on thru, not really giving a crap, and some actually TRY to run people down.