Ped Xing

        I saw this road sign first inside Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), the former US Naval Base.  Then, I saw them along Roxas Boulevard, Manila City.

        Ped Xing means – Ped for Pedestrian and Xing for Crossing or, in long, Pedestrian Crossing.

        It seemed a Chinese name.

Pedestrian (Ped)

        A pedestrian is a person traveling on foot, whether walking or running, on a road or sidewalk.

Crossing (Xing)

        A pedestrian to reach his/her destination sometimes needs to cross a road.  For his protection, pedestrian lanes or crossings are placed in strategic areas of the road.  These lanes are commonly placed around intersections, to go with the flow of the traffic.  Some are placed in between intersections, where more pedestrians are crossing.  The lanes are properly marked.  Some even have signage.

        Underpasses and overpasses (or footbridges) are in placed for pedestrian safety and for smooth flow of vehicular traffic as well.

        Makati City has five (5) underpasses along Ayala Avenue alone, and there’s one along Paseo de Roxas corner Sedeno Street.  The construction of underpass in front of Quezon City Hall is nearing completion.  I think Lacson underpass in Quiapo, Manila is the first pedestrian underpass in Asia.

        Also, Makati City has constructed pedestrian overpass from Herrera Street that would lead you to Ayala MRT Station.

        The widest pedestrian crossing in the Philippines is located along Roxas Boulevard, in front of Rajah Sulayman Park.

Predicament of Pedestrians in the Philippines

        Pedestrians are the most vulnerable and yet the most disrespected users of the roads.  Discourteous drivers, if not controlled by traffic lights or enforcers, simply don’t yield to them despite being on the middle of the road already.  Some even honked to them hard and long.

        There was a time that I was driving along the innermost lane of Commonwealth Avenue (in Quezon City) and saw several pedestrians on the center island waiting for an opportunity to cross.  Some of them were even carrying heavy things.

        I stopped to allow them to cross.  However, drivers on the other lanes didn’t yield and just disregarded them.  I and other vehicles behind me were stuck for several minutes because these pedestrians were already blocking our way.  Impatient drivers behind me even swerved to the next lane.  Thank heaven, some courteous drivers yielded.

What Motorists Should Know About Pedestrian Rights

(Source: Forgotten)

 Yield to Pedestrians

        When you meet a pedestrian, who has the right of way?  Motorists must yield to pedestrians in the street at all times. Yielding means slowing down for pedestrians who are crossing the street and passing them at a safe distance.  Show courtesy by giving pedestrians as much room as you would like drivers to give to you when you're on foot.

Respect Pedestrian Lanes/Crossings

        1.  Yield to pedestrians at all pedestrian lanes/crossings -marked and unmarked.
        2.  Know where all pedestrian lanes/crossings are.  Pedestrian lanes/crossings exist                  on all four corners of most intersections - whether or not they are marked.
        3.  Pedestrian lanes/crossings are also located wherever paths and streets connect.                  Paths and streets that are parallel to each other require extra caution.  Look for                          pedestrians, cyclists, and skaters from unexpected directions.

Intersections With Signals

        1.  Yield to pedestrians crossing the intersection.
        2.  Do not stop in the pedestrian lanes/crossings.  Instead, stop behind the stop bar so              that pedestrians can cross the street safely.
        3.  Obey signage.  Some intersections prohibit right turn on red.
        4.  When turning right on red, stop for pedestrians who are crossing from either side of              the street.
        5.  When turning left, watch for pedestrians as well as oncoming traffic.

Intersections Without Signals

        1.  At intersections without signals, pedestrians always have the right of way.
        2.  When pedestrians show an intention to cross the street by stepping off the curb, you              must stop and allow them to cross.
        3.  When turning right or left at an intersection without a signal, look for pedestrians                     crossing from any direction before you start your turn.

Safety Tips

        1.  At night or during bad weather, be especially alert for pedestrians.  Remember that                 people on foot are exposed to the weather and may be in a hurry to find shelter.
        2.  Before you pull out of a driveway, parking lot, or garage you must stop behind the                     sidewalk and check for pedestrians who might be using the sidewalk.

You're A Pedestrian Too.

        A little courtesy goes along way.  Remember what it's like to be on foot, and how much you appreciate it when a motorist yields to you.

Walking is great exercise — you can go almost anywhere on your own two feet. Plus, it’s free.

        But walking can also be dangerous. How can you avoid getting into a crash?

        Well, let’s see.

Safety tips for walkers:

        1.  Always walk on the sidewalk.  If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the                      road, always walk FACING traffic, so you can see any car that might go out of control.
        2.  Dress to be seen.  Brightly colored clothing makes it easier for drivers to see you                      during the daytime.  At night, you need to wear special reflective material on your                      shoes, cap or jacket to reflect the headlights of cars coming towards you.
        3.  Tips for Crossing the Street.
            *  Cross only at corners or marked crosswalks.
            *  Stop at the curb, or the edge of the road.
            *  Stop and look left, then right, then left again, before you step into the street.
            *  If you see a car, wait until it goes by.  Then look left, right and left again until no cars                 are coming.
            *  If a car is parked where you are crossing, make sure there is no driver in the car.                      Then go to the edge of the car and look left-right-left until no cars are coming. Keep                 looking for cars while you are crossing, and remember, walk. Don’t run.

        (Source: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/kids/biketour/pedsafety/)

  
        LET’S MAKE OUR STREETS SAFER!!!