It's been tried a couple of times: google for "naked streets" or "shared streets". I am not altogether convinced it works as well as its proponents says: the average taxi driver at Seven Dials in my experience tends to put his foot down and gun the engine rather than make eye contact and amicably negotiate priority with the pedestrians in his path, but perhaps it just needs to be backed up with legislation that makes "scaring the shoot out of people" an arrestable offence
This legislation already exists, it's called assault (an intentional act by one person that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent harmful or offensive contact).
Getting it enforced now, that's a different thing!
You were going a little fast given the slippery surface, the pedestrians to your right, and the large obstacle to your left obscuring your (and the child's) view, but you did well to fall over and avoid a collision.
In law once a pedestrian has one foot on a road they have right of way.
They may have the right of way.....but doesn't do them much good if they are dead.
Best to check before you step out on the road.....
Does anyone remember the Tufty Club ??
There's a shared space bit in Gloucester, which I go through fairly regularly on my way to and from work. There are big signs saying "Motorists do not have priority" but, even though I slowed right down and waved pedestrians across in front of me (in the spirit of shared space), they just looked confused and waited for me to pass before crossing anyway. I suspect most pedestrians have become used to the idea of motor vehicles being king on the UK's streets, and shared spaces won't really work until pedestrians become a little more assertive.
I need hardly add that I'm very much in a minority in slowing my car down, obeying the 20mph speed limit and waving pedestrians across. Most people seem to drive through at 30 or more.![]()
Indeed, but we managed to resist his bid for world domination!Does anyone remember the Tufty Club ??