Was it Rick Wagoner trying to get a refund on the ties he won't be needing?

In MOST states, pedestrians have the right of way, and that goes double in
parking lots.

Sir Charles THE Curmudgeon

Well, gee, what does he expect? People don't just park their cars and
sit there (excepting drive-in movies). They park their cars and get
out.

The guy does have a brain. He needs to learn how to engage it.

Jeff

On Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:54:54 -0400, Hachiroku ???? <Trueno@e86.GTS>
wrote:

In Florida it is a Felony to attack anyone over 65....

Hit me arse hole....

I have spent a lifetime telling my kids that parking lots are speed-free
zones. When one leaves the street and enters a parking lot, there is no
reason to take the car out of 1st gear, unless one needs to go backward or
actually park.

Being the curious sort, I wondered if this was really true, so I
looked up the Massachusetts vehicle code. As far as I can tell there
is not a law / rule / regualtion that grants pedestrians the right of
way in all circumstances. The nearest law to this states (see
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/90-14.htm ):

"Upon approaching a pedestrian who is upon the traveled part of any
way and not upon a sidewalk, every person operating a motor vehicle
shall slow down."

The same laws also states you should slow down / stop for animals that
appear scared, bicycles, etc. It doesn't exactly say pedestrians have
the right of way, or that you need to stop for them, but I suppose
this may be implied (depending on the interpertation of judges, etc.).
It is possible town / cities have ordinances that do grant pedestrians
the right of way.

I also took a look at the Massachusetts' Drivers Manual (  ). It says
things like:
...
"Laws for Drivers
. You must yield to any pedestrians entering or using a crosswalk in
your travel path.
. Never let your vehicle block a crosswalk.
. You must yield to pedestrians if your traffic signal is red or if it
is red and yellow.
. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped or is slowing for a
pedestrian.

"Laws for Pedestrians
. Use a crosswalk if one is available.
. At crosswalks with pedestrian signals, use the push button on the
signal pole and wait for the WALK signal. Intersections without push
buttons will give you WALK signals automatically.
. Before you cross a roadway, stop at the curb and look left and right
for traffic. Be alert. Look out especially for cars turning onto the
road you are crossing.
....
"Turns on Red
After coming to a complete stop at a red traffic light, you are
allowed to turn right on red after giving the right-of-way to
pedestrians and other vehicles, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is
posted. You may turn left on red following the same rules only if you
are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
....
"Pedestrians
You must always yield to pedestrians who are walking in or crossing a
roadway. Also note these rules concerning pedestrians:
. If you are stopped at a traffic signal and the light turns green,
you must yield to any pedestrians already in the crosswalk before
proceeding.
. When turning, look for pedestrians crossing your intended path.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way if using a sidewalk or crossing a
driveway or an alley.
. Always yield to visually impaired (blind) people crossing a street.
You must remain stopped until the person has safely crossed. Do not
honk or wave the person on. Never pass another vehicle which is
stopped. Blind pedestrians may use a white cane or a guide dog. The
White Cane Law states that a driver must come to a complete stop when
a blind pedestrian is attempting to cross a street.

<I can't see where the actual laws says that "You must always yield to
pedestrians who are walking in or crossing a roadway" but the Drivers
Manaul does say that. >

"Turning Left
When making any left turn, you must first yield the right-of-way to
any...
. Oncoming vehicle
. Vehicle already in the intersection
. Pedestrians or bicyclists crossing your intended path of travel
....
"Private Roads, Driveways, and Unpaved Roads
If you are entering a paved thoroughfare from a private road, a
driveway, or an unpaved road, you must stop first and give the
right-of-way to pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles traveling along
the road you are entering.
....
"Rotary Traffic Rules
Traffic moves in a counter-clockwise direction around a rotary. You
must always yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the rotary
(unless directed differently by local signs or police officers) and to
pedestrians. You should use your turn signals in the same way as any
other intersection: travel through the rotary and, when you are ready
to exit, use your right turn signal.
....
"Rules for Passing
In general, the law requires you to drive on the right side of the
road. When passing is allowed, you should pass on the left. Passing on
the right is allowed only in certain situations.
You should pass a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motor vehicle only when it
is necessary and safe to do so. You may not exceed the speed limit
when passing. If you have any doubt, do not pass.
....
"Rules for Pedestrians
When you are a pedestrian, you must remember the following rules:
. State law requires you to use a crosswalk when one is available.
When crossing at an intersection with a traffic signal, use the
pedestrian button and wait for the WALK signal. Intersections without
push buttons automatically give you WALK signals. Be patient!
. If the crossing signal flashes DON'T WALK, do not begin crossing. If
the signal stops flashing and stays steady, you may not cross.
. Before you cross a roadway, stop at the curb, look left, look right,
and look left again for traffic-even if it is a one-way street. Be
alert while crossing. Be especially alert at intersections that allow
motor vehicles to turn right on red.
. If you must enter the street from between parked cars, stop and look
before crossing.
. You must use a sidewalk when one is available. When no sidewalk is
available on a local roadway, you should walk on the shoulder facing
traffic.
. Never walk along or across expressways, interstate highways, or
turnpikes.
. Wear clothing with bright colors or reflective strips, especially at
night.
....
The Drivers Manuals includes the follwoing statement:

"Remember, the law says that you must slow down and stop if necessary
if a person is walking in the street you are traveling on. Always look
ahead for places where pedestrians may be in the road but not visible,
such as around a curve, at the top of a hill, or between parked cars."

As in the section on "pedestrians, I don't actually see that the
vehicle codes requires you to stop for a person walking in the road
(although I think it is necessary). The only thing I see is the law
that says you must slow down (nothing about stopping in the law, but
that may be implied).

To net things out - I don't see a Massachucetts law that
automattically grant pedestrians the right of way, but the Driver's
Manual certainly gives the impression that pedestrians have the right
of way. There clearly are rules / laws that say to slow down when
approaching pedestrians in the "way" (I think "way" is Massachucetts
speak for the road). Since parking lots are usually private property I
am not sure how the law applies, but certainly if a car hits aperson
in a parking lot, they are likely to end up on the wrong end of a law
suit.

Ed