Pedestrian struck by patrol car

[Greggzee]

All I'm trying to point out is that when a car and a pedestrian come together on a street, it is not ALWAYS fault on the part of the driver.
Not to be argumentative, but I think Stale and I agree about 93% of the time

[Stalewind]

LOL... OK 93% Greggzee.

[laughing66607]

The FACT is you constantly make conclusions and state them as fact on sketchy information at best.......admit it....you know you do

Yes he does. It isn't always the drivers fault but I know one thing for sure, I don't have enough info to even try and comment on this topic. Think I will move on to the next topic, see ya.

[Stalewind]

LMAO.... And you will NEVER get the information from Chief Miller or the TPD.

All these car -vs- pedestrian accidents are investigated to determine how they occurred. Included in this would be witness, driver and victim statements along with any other "evidence" available. That would include the officers cell phone records, computer records and dispatch records. Was the officer talking, texting or distracted on the radio when they struck the pedestrian in the street?

According to the KHP driving inspectors.... pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way.

But it's nice to know the next time a citizen motorist happens to run over a pedestrian in the street, Greggzee is willing to give the driver the benefit of the doubt.

[Greggzee]

http://www.ksrevenue.org/pdf/dlhb.pdf

DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS
The driver’s responsibility is greater than that of the pedestrian, since a motor vehicle
with its greater weight and speed is much more destructive.
A pedestrian sometimes does thoughtless or foolish things. But, in spite of this, if
your vehicle is under control at all times you should be able to avoid hitting him.
The pedestrians killed and injured are usually persons who are unfamiliar with automobiles
or those who are not as alert as the average person. Older persons who move
slowly and cannot see or hear well are frequently involved in such accidents.
Children are the next group most frequently involved in pedestrian accidents. They
do not realize the danger of playing in or crossing the streets.
RULES FOR DRIVERS
1. If there are no traffic control signals, drivers must slow down or stop for pedestrians
within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
2. When making a left or right turn at any intersection, drivers must yield the rightof-
way to pedestrians.
3. After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, drivers must yield the right-ofway
to pedestrians before proceeding.
4. At traffic signals, after the light turns green, drivers must yield to pedestrians
who have entered the crosswalk before the light changed.
5. When entering a street or highway from an alley or driveway, drivers must stop
before crossing sidewalk and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
6. Drivers must always come to a complete stop when approaching a blind person
who is crossing a street or highway, when such person is carrying a white cane
or is being guided by a dog, regardless of any traffic control signs or signals
which may be in operation. After stopping, a driver must take such precautions
as may be necessary before proceeding in order to avoid injury to the blind
person.
7. Be on the look out for pedestrians in order to avoid injuring them, regardless
of who has the right-of-way.
RULES FOR PEDESTRIANS
1. Cross at intersections only with “walk signal” or green light.
2. Cross in pedestrian lanes when possible.
3. Look in both directions before crossing a street or highway.
4. Do not step from the curb when it will interfere with vehicular traffic.
5. Never stand in the street waiting for a signal to change.
6. Never enter the street from behind a parked car.
7. Never stand in the street or on the highway to solicit a ride, as hitchhiking is
dangerous and should be avoided.
8. Always wear white or light-colored clothing, or carry a light when you are on
the street or highway at night.
9. Never walk in the street or highway when sidewalk or pathway is available.
10. Always walk on the left side of the highway or street facing the oncoming traffic,
and always step off of the roadway when a motor vehicle approaches.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

This was taken from Page 23 of the Kansas Driver's Handbook (link provided)
NO WHERE DO I SEE THE WORD ALWAYS!
Just keep in mind Stale. I believe the words 'always' and 'never' and all the rest of the indefinite time frame words are very unlimited, thus there are exceptions.
I'm done arguing over your 'blame game'. You want the driver to ALWAYS be at fault then by God they ALWAYS will.......no exceptions.

[Stalewind]

I'm sure there are incidents and accidents where pedestrians could be at "fault". But those are few and far between or the exceptions to the golden rule "pedestrians have the right of way".

In this incident we have only limited information, which seems to be the standard operating proceedure when TPD is involved in possible crimes, accidents and incidents. It sure would be nice if the full report and investigation were avaiable to the "public" like any other report or investigation handled by the TPD.

But we don't have that information for some strange reason?

To assume the pedestrian was at "fault" simply because they weren't in a designated "crosswalk", or that the location had "poor lighting" is absurd. You and I both know that most (maybe not all) of these accidents are the result of a distracted driver who takes their eyes off the road and strikes someone crossing the street. Fortunately in this incident the victim wasn't seriously injuried.

I don't think we are "arguing" anything, we just disagree whether police officers deserve the "benefit of the doubt". I respect your professional career insight, it's helpful when idiots like me ask dumb questions.

[Greggzee]

You might have me all wrong Stale.
I believe that all drivers should have the benefit of the doubt when circumstances warrant and sometimes they do.
I have to ask this question because there is a point to be made here: Is the driver at fault when he hits a deer?? Pedestrians in many cases are just like deer in that they come out of nowhere. Have you ever hit a deer Stale? I have. I was going along....paying attention (my driving record will hold that as true) and suddenly, out of nowhere a deer was in front of me with nothing for me to do and nowhere for me to go. Was I automatically at fault??
And before you ask.....no there was no "Deer Crossing" sign......they can't read anyway

[laughing66607]

Damo, deers??? I thought you were going to say... kitty's, you kitty squishers you. It is progressive, first animal's... then pedestrian's.

[Greggzee]

Now that I'm retired I don't get to squish nearly as many. Sad but true

[Stalewind]

I don't think you can compare animals to humans Greggzee.

Had this accident involved private citizens and not TPD officers the report and investigation would be public.

Instead we are "told" the victim wasn't in the crosswalk and there was "poor lighting" in the area?

I think the public has a right to know whether the police officer was distracted by his radio, cell phone or laptop computer.

Or whether the citizen just sprang like a deer into the street from the right of way.