r/Calgary • u/Agreeable_Tax1950 • 6d ago
Question How do I report drivers who don’t stop when signalling to walk?
I am tired of drivers who keep driving after clearly seeing me attempting to walk. It doesn’t feel safe being a pedestrian anymore, especially on the Centre Street road. At least once a week there is a driver that does this, and cars go too fast for me to take a photo of.
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u/ChabuddyG95 6d ago
I am very familiar with this experience.
To other commenters and readers, there are literally signalled crosswalks (about 4 main ones) down centre street and cars will speed through regardless. There is no chance for ambiguity about whether someone is trying to cross or not. It is actually insane.
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u/PickerPilgrim 6d ago
Centre Street and Edmonton Trail both, and both streets have had pedestrian deaths at these crossings too.
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u/Upstairs_Ad_662 6d ago
I started leaving early from work to avoid flames games. Seem to be the worse time driver do not pay attention
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u/Bulky_Department5619 6d ago
Drivers ignore pedestrians at other controlled crosswalks too. I see it on Elbow drive all the time.
Yes, they should stop but many people don’t. It’s on the pedestrian to wait until the cars are stopped before proceeding.
I’m not saying it’s right, but it’s the reality of living here.11
u/ChabuddyG95 6d ago
Yes unfortunately I’ve grown accustomed to running across the crosswalks to increase my chances of safety, feels literally like frogger. Unfortunately this is not something people with strollers, pets, or disabilities can do. I have also witnessed cars blow through crosswalks when someone is literally half way in them.
You can do everything possible as a pedestrian but a car with an egomaniacal driver will still trump your survival.
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u/YourBobsUncle 6d ago
I was standing on the median on Centre Street @ 43 Ave NE and some asshole cut me off lol
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u/Ok-Shine3183 6d ago
Posted about this on the Ask Calgary fb group... because it is filled to the brim with idiots who've done this, 7 out of 10 comments I got were blaming me for wanting to cross the street. Well sorry for not driving a car to a store 2 minutes away from home!!! Fuckers
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u/Gullible_Complex_523 4d ago
Also post to the bad drivers fb group. Absolute batshit crazy lunatics on there.
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u/teetofOLGA 6d ago edited 6d ago
This makes me feel like such a Karen but I film when I cross one particular road. There's a huge problem intersection near me and I have been hit before (as a pedestrian) I call the cops and they act like I'm an asshole usually, but occasionally the drivers get warnings. Thats about my experience.
One time a guy in a van actually accelerated and went in the opposing lane. I was with my grade 5 child, and it is a school zone. 💀 we were in the middle of the road.
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u/muchfanfear 6d ago
We all need to start carrying bricks. The simple act of carrying one definitely helps to encourage drivers to stop when they’re supposed to.
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u/qrcodetat 6d ago
All pedestrians should start wearing dashcams
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u/alpain Southwest Calgary 6d ago
i imagine if we got these working at stop signs in Calgary and had them rig them up to crosswalks as well we could make a fucking fortune, 2 cameras, one to show a pedestrian in the crosswalk one to capture the car plates.
https://www.globaltrafficgroup.com/
ALSO this is a Canadian company! why arnt we using their stop sign cameras.
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u/Unable-Fall5946 6d ago
Bring a big stone
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u/Trick_Doughnut5741 6d ago
You can get foam squishy stress toys that look like a red clay brick. Easy to carry and pull it out when you get to the crossing.
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u/DingusAugustus 6d ago
A stone is not a reporting tool
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u/Unable-Fall5946 6d ago
It is for drivers to report that they ignored pedestrian
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u/DingusAugustus 6d ago
No, you're giving advice to escalate a situation, especially if OP is young and isn't mature enough to understand there is a potential for it to escalate to violence.
Again, a stone is not a reporting tool
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u/haveblue23 6d ago
Are you new to Reddit? We're just a bunch of keyboard warriors hiding behind anonymous usernames
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u/Direct_Armadillo_582 6d ago
What I find interesting is half the drivers that have nearly run me over have also had skipthedishes or doordash bags in the backseat.
I nearly got hit by a driver who blew right through a four way stop and low and behold skipthedishes bags in the backseat. Nearly killed me for what a $5 tip?
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u/Finallyjoining 6d ago
Only thing you can do is protect yourself. Make eye contact with drivers and act like no one will stop. There's always going to be someone who's distracted or in too much of a rush.
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u/avatarst 6d ago
Quite often drivers will refuse to make eye contact with a pedestrian exactly because they know what they're doing is wrong. I've had a few close calls and when you look at them they often pretend to be blind.
24 Ave SW and 2 St SW in Mission is one of the dangerous ones. No one stops for pedestrians. Neither do bikers for that matter lol.
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u/Difficult_Ad8193 5d ago
I live across from Southcenter and even with the crossing light people don't stop. They freeze their eyes straight ahead. "If I don't see you I don't have to stop." I've been tempted to set up buckets with tennis balls. Not gonna ignore a tennis ball to the windshield!
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u/psilbern 6d ago
You can call 311 and they can either tell you who to call or will forward your concern. A fair bit of traffic enforcement is complaint based. So if there are enough complaints then calgary police will show up and do something but if not then nothing will change.
I suggest carrying the brick.
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u/Bulky_Department5619 6d ago
“Make eye contact with drivers and ensure they have stopped before you step into a crosswalk. Don't assume that because the vehicles in the lane closest to you have stopped that other vehicles will stop too.”
“Though pedestrians do have the right of way at ALL marked and unmarked crosswalks, not all people driving are aware of or choose to follow this rule”
Yes, they should stop, but some people don’t.
Don’t walk into the road until they’ve actually come to a stop.
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u/Genre-Slur 6d ago
And this is why barring tinted front windows needs to be enforced. So dangerous to pedestrians.
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u/Imaginary_Trader 6d ago
It's a shame the cops also don't do anything about front tinted windows. If the car is relatively new, chances are what like 50/50 that I can't even see the driver because they tinted their front windows. No chance I can see them through the side windows. Too dark in the cabin to see through the windshield
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u/Popular-Row4333 6d ago
The age old, "would you rather be right and carried by 6 people, or wrong and live to complain about it?"
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u/PracticalTip6272 5d ago
My husband and I stopped to cross at a marked intersection. Before we crossed, we waited for traffic to fully stop in both directions (one lane in each direction). While waiting for BOTH lanes to stop, the already stopped and waiting driver started YELLING at us to go. You can't even wait to safely cross without drivers being complete assholes and 90% of the time when drivers do stop, they don't wait for you to complete crossing before slamming on the gas. The reality is that drivers in Calgary are impatient, entitled assholes and there is no winning as a pedestrian: it is ALWAYS our fault even when we are being safe.
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u/Quilynn 1d ago
Yes, don't just walk in front of a car that's moving. No fucking shit, sherlock.
But failing to stop for a pedestrian's right of way is illegal and carries about $400 fine. I think more than any other traffic law this is unenforced. I've never heard of people being ticketed over this, even though it happens HUNDREDS of times to me every year.
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u/Smart-Pie7115 6d ago
Sometimes the laws of physics apply and they don’t have time to stop safely once they see you. Stuff like light posts, bushes, etc create blind spots.
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u/ReasonableComfort645 6d ago
Same at red lights, hey? Maybe that actually works on cops... wait, cops don't do traffic!
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u/Bulky_Department5619 6d ago
So you wait until they do stop or until there are no cars coming… It’s not hard.
If they can’t you, how can you see them clearly enough to know they’re stopping?
Sometimes the laws of physics apply. You’re not going to win a fight with an oncoming car.3
u/Smart-Pie7115 6d ago
I’m speaking as a driver. Not all pedestrians seem to realize that cars are subject to the laws of physics and if they’re standing somewhere near a large object that could block them from a driver’s view a driver might not see them standing and waiting to cross.
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u/turbo-fister9000 6d ago
Apparently having the plate doesn't even matter because the registered owner will just say they weren't driving and it goes away. Nothing is ever enforced here.
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u/skel625 Altadore 6d ago
Your best bet is film your crossing, you could invest in a hand held or even mount a camera on a hat or your body like many professional streamers do. Then you can film the car approaching and ignoring you, likely capture their face, then the license plate as they go by. Then you can call police non emergency and file a report. An officer will contact you with secure upload link for the footage. You would likely need to make a formal statement and be a witness if the officer proceeds with an investigation and possible charges. Good luck!!
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u/Whats_Awesome 6d ago
Police non emergency number. They will be less likely to get leniency if they get reports. Yes it does nothing now but maybe will affect them in the future.
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u/Berkut22 6d ago
I'd push a 6ft spike strip in front of me as I walk... but that's just me.
Obviously, I don't condone doing that ...
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u/Genre-Slur 6d ago
Most dangerous spots for my area is NE corner of Kensington Rd and 14st, crossing South. So many drivers creep the corner trying to turn right (north) on red, while looking left (south), DESPITE pedestrians having the light. I literally bought and wear neon gloves for running, but originally I got them to wave frantically at windshields in order for the drivers to look right, and see me before having a chance of running me over.
Ditto 5th ave and 10st NW.
And both intersections are very dangerous during rush hour , and when large eg construction vehicles are the ones trying the right turn.
Ideally the city should ban right turns on red at certain locations, dangerous as hell.
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u/Busy_Shine6888 5d ago
It’s a jungle out there… I take a step when I can, and make eye contact with the driver, and I do the same for the next lane, and the other side. When I’m the driver - I stop for pedestrians at crosswalks that don’t have a light. When I was a teenager, I worked at a gas station, I saw an older man push the cross walk button, he just stepped out on the road without looking, He was hit - to me it looked like the driver didn’t have a chance to stop. We called an ambulance, but it didn’t look good. Since that day - I wait to make eye contact.
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u/ghost__wars 5d ago
Nothing to report. No crime has been committed. You will say they saw you, the driver will say otherwise.
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u/regtiangha 4d ago
I literally got hit on Saturday night in a marked crosswalk with flashing crosswalk lights. When the person reached the other side of the intersection, they didn't stop or slow down; they sped up! Even though I was only 4 or 5 steps away from reaching the other side, there was no way I was going to make it. I was able to turn my body just enough for my backpack to take the brunt of the hit. I can only assume they were trying to run me down because who the F speeds up?? I was pissed and still in shock so I just walked away, but man, do I wish I told off that driver more. I didn't get a good look, but I sure hope I dented her car. Would love to be a fly on the wall as they try to explain that one to the body shop/insurance company.
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u/WorkingNo7670 6d ago
Make sure to get a plate number to report so it can actually be followed up on if you can. If you can't get the plate there's not much cps can follow up on, though reports still show it as a problem area.
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u/ChabuddyG95 6d ago
One would need the plate number and footage of what happened with all context included. Police aren’t just going to go off of word of mouth and a plate number. So this is useless.
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u/No_Lettuce1081 6d ago
Been thinking to get AI glasses simply to be able to report (with proof) bad drivers who nearly hit me and to internet shame bad dog owners who let their illegally offleash dogs charge my leashed dog.
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u/UnluckyCharacter9906 6d ago
Video record them with your phone getting license plate and email to crime stoppers
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u/Desperate-Copy-3191 6d ago
Cross Centre Street at controlled intersections if you feel unsafe elsewhere.
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u/LeonTrollski1 5d ago
I like the idea of having your keys handy to discourage drivers from running through crosswalks. Of course, the driver may try stepping out to try something, but in that case you can be taking photos.
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u/nrdgrrrl_taco Forest Lawn 5d ago
When I comment on what I'd like to do my comment gets removed. Just be as nice to them as they are being to you.
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u/True_Resident5904 5d ago
The sprawl posted an article about how unsafe being a pedestrian in this city has become. Drivers do not care unless they get worse consequences. https://www.sprawlcalgary.com/calgary-pedestrian-deaths-fatalities-vision-zero
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u/SerGT3 6d ago
People don't give a shit anymore. I rountily watch people speed off when I walk 0.1cm past their bumper in a crosswalk.
I'm not saying you do this but plenty of people walk when it says do not walk or when they are j-walking and then get all uppity when cars don't immediately stop for them like they aren't also at fault.
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u/SurviveYourAdults 6d ago
.... where is this Centre Street road you speak of?
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u/CheeseSandwich hamburger magician 5d ago
It's in Westchestertonfieldville.
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u/L00tgoblin 5d ago
It used to be 311 many years ago, if there were enough reports of speeding etc. They used to put up signage waring drivers, accompanied by law enforcement enforcement. However, its been many years since I have seen that done.
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u/Toirtis Somerset 6d ago
I have been hit (fairly lightly) in controlled crosswalks probably 10 times in the past 6 years...people are rushing, distracted, etc and simply often do not care about pedestrians. Without having number plates, its impossible to complain about any particular driver, unfortunately.
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u/Benchwarmer164 6d ago
Lol 10 times??? Thats probably a you issue 🤣
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u/Toirtis Somerset 6d ago
Nope, just do a lot of walking, and despite being hyper-alert, vehicles are fast and drivers quite unpredictable. You did catch the bit about controlled crossings, yes?
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u/anthropocene2000 6d ago
Yeah, there is a actual intersection by my house with lights, not a pedestrian crossing, and people run the red light all the time. Super easy to wait for folks to stop, get part way across, and then someone comes roaring down the street and blows right through on the red. Happens a lot with turning vehicles too. My neighbour's kid almost ran over my foot and I am beyond cautious.
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u/Bulky_Department5619 6d ago
Controlled crossing or not, it’s YOUR responsibility as a pedestrian to wait until the cars have stopped before entering the roadway.
Yes, they should give you the right of way but many won’t as you’ve clearly found out.Don’t walk into the road until the cars have actually stopped. 10 times is insane.
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u/YourBobsUncle 6d ago edited 6d ago
How does that work when I'm half way through crossing the road at a flashing pedestrian crosswalk and some fuckwad driving way too fast uphill cuts me off? Am I supposed to just stand in the middle of the road forever? They see every pedestrian not walking as an opportunity to pass. These loathsome cunts never stop unless you're entering harm's way.
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u/Toirtis Somerset 6d ago
So despite my ensuring that vehicles have stopped, and entering an intersection on a green light, in the crossing, and a vehicle decides to go through anyways (illegally and potentially criminally), that is somehow my fault? During the time mentioned, I have walked city streets an average of 5000+ km per year (more than you likely do in a decade), and done 10,000+ crossings per year. You sound like one of these twats that regularly hits or nearly hits people, blaming the pedestrians for your shortcomings as a driver. Try again, be better.
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u/Bulky_Department5619 6d ago
Are you not watching for other cars as you’re crossing the road….? Just because you’re in the crosswalk and the lights are green for you, it does not mean every driver is going to stop. You need to be diligent and aware of your surroundings.
I have never hit anyone, nor have I ever been hit while being a pedestrian.
The distance you’ve walked is irrelevant if you’re continually being hit by cars.13
u/ChabuddyG95 6d ago
You are the same type of person who would also argue that if someone waits too long for cars to stop then cars don’t know they’re going to cross or not.
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u/Ok_Rent5670 6d ago edited 6d ago
People are very self absorbed. You see it even here, and Reddit is generally better than Facebook or other social media 🤷♂️.
Ik I’m gonna get a lash of downvotes for daring to make the comparison, but in large parts of Europe, cars do not wait for pedestrians if they are standing by the sidewalk, so a pedestrian eventually has to cross while traffic is coming and assume the drivers aren’t tards that won’t stop.
Thankfully, despite how scary it is, the cars WILL stop. Thankfully Canada isn’t like that, but blaming pedestrians for poor driving habits is wild.
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u/pushthepramalot 6d ago
How many meters does a car going 50km/h travel in one second? Cars can cover a LOT of ground very quickly when someone is already well into their pedestrian crossing.
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u/Smart-Pie7115 6d ago
Yep. My brother had this issue growing up. He would just walk into the street at the crosswalk because he had the right of way.
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u/Khyron686 6d ago
It's an insane risk for the driver - fine is like 800 + 4 demerits now.
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u/Popular-Row4333 6d ago
We have a million rules/codes/bylaws that exist today.
What we don't have is enforcement on those in any way whatsoever.
So what we've created is a society where you actually get punished for doing the right thing, as it costs you time or money to do so.
I've said a million times, if you don't have a high trust society that just does the right thing to be a functional member of society, than those laws aren't worth the paper the are written on, if they are never enforced.
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u/styzzyx9 6d ago
Fantastic comment.
If this city is a “cash strapped” as some councillors claim, and the cops are asking for more in every budget, the least the city could do is work to extract some money out of scofflaws.
Sending a cop and a bylaw officer to a school would probably earn $1000+ every morning and afternoon from parents that don’t have time to go around the block after dropping off their little angels.
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u/yyctownie 6d ago
But we need cameras!
The only thing that changes behaviours is real penalties. Demerits, increased insurance costs and eventually no license.
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u/YourBobsUncle 6d ago edited 6d ago
Nelson Mandela High School has a police car right in front almost every day and I'm pretty sure they don't do anything lol. Even with the illegal parking with parents waiting who knows how long for their kids (at least they turned off the vehicle). They did have a lot of free time to prance/drive two horses up there for no reason though.
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u/Original_Opinionator 6d ago
Keep your head up, don't expect anyone to stop, and forget about reporting it pedestrians and bike do not have the right od way here get use to it.
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/ChabuddyG95 6d ago
OP is talking about literally signalled crosswalks on centre. I am familiar with this area and experience as well. Stop adding ridiculous and rude comments.
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u/Replicator666 6d ago
I'll be honest, many times I see pedestrians at a signaled crosswalk and drivers still keep driving. I'll stop, Flash my lights, etc but these drivers are so oblivious they don't even notice
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u/Limp-Replacement2039 6d ago
I find a lot of people kind of stop kind of far away from the actual crossing and it’s hard to tell if they intend to cross or not, sometimes people need to signal their intent better. Not saying op does this, just a general observation
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u/Jalex2321 Rocky Ridge 6d ago
So you cross before getting visual confirmation that all cars have stopped?
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u/gordon_18 Copperfield 6d ago
I think there was an intersection in Vancouver where people weren’t stopping at the crosswalk, so someone installed a “take a brick” sign and would hold it while crossing and cars started stopping.