A normally zoned, and properly provisioned parking spot has a stop, and would never be designed where cars would block pedestrian access.
It is normal to pull in and expect a stop point.
Depending on size or design of car you may be accustomed to not hitting the stop block (low car, small car, etc), but you would, as the driver, assume you are not inappropriately “too in” if you HAVEN’T touched the (in this case inexistent) stop block.
All of these drivers subconsciously believe they are comfortably in the spot, without sticking out front or back. Because of this none of them have any suspicion they need to look to double check.
One of the core principles of car and pedestrian cohabitation is to use barriers and information to keep cars and pedestrians separated, without relying on the “common sense” of the driver.
Drivers do not have “common sense” of a heavy machine, and must be separated from impinging on pedestrians.
They are. And even if it wasn’t the case, their lack is not an excuse; if an intersection has no clear priority sign, it doesn’t give drivers the right to pass as they want.
I doubt there are many non rural, non isolated 4 way intersections in all of western Europe or north America without a sign.
The point that you clearly cannot grasp is this: cars are unsafe, and hard to handle. Good design and especially focusing on separation are required for an orderly interface between cars and pedestrian spaces, even in Europe where as you say, the drivers are quite good.
I never said stop blocks are a bad thing. I just say that, if you don’t give a shit about others enough to just check if you correctly parked, you’re an asshole.
I think this stop is something very American. In Europe it’s very rare to see a stop for the cars. You just learn to drive correctly. American drivers are just worse at driving than European ones, because your streets and parking spaces and literally anything else car related is just huge. And same with parking spaces. You are used to having a stop, so you only learn how to park correctly if there is a stop.
There are some parkings with stop blocks in Europe, but they’re more of an exception rather than a norm. What I think is a better solution, is to have a wider sidewalk with some trees, shrubs, lamp posts, etc. right next to the curb, that act as a natural limit for how far people will park their car.
Much as the dutch have mastered the design of new roads to separate them from pedestrian and cycling paths, stop blocks are simply a good feature.
Many buildings in Europe aren’t even handicapped accessible (such as old buildings, cramped buildings) and that doesn’t mean European disabled folks are “better” wheelchair operators, it just means antiquated spaces aren’t always designed with modern best practices.
Stop blocks keep people safe, and ensure access for those like the disabled.
It’s not that Europeans are “better drivers” ,(evidence: this picture), it’s that it isn’t a law there, and isn’t part of the design of the spaces these parking spots are in.
A normally zoned, and properly provisioned parking spot has a stop, and would never be designed where cars would block pedestrian access.
It is normal to pull in and expect a stop point.
Depending on size or design of car you may be accustomed to not hitting the stop block (low car, small car, etc), but you would, as the driver, assume you are not inappropriately “too in” if you HAVEN’T touched the (in this case inexistent) stop block.
All of these drivers subconsciously believe they are comfortably in the spot, without sticking out front or back. Because of this none of them have any suspicion they need to look to double check.
One of the core principles of car and pedestrian cohabitation is to use barriers and information to keep cars and pedestrians separated, without relying on the “common sense” of the driver.
Drivers do not have “common sense” of a heavy machine, and must be separated from impinging on pedestrians.
It’s always some other’s fault, isn’t it? No, it’s not. They’re the drivers.
They drive a heavy machine, like you said, so they should act like it. Be responsible. Always double check. Be respectful and prudent.
Stop blocks are good things, sure, but their existence is not an excuse to park recklessly.
Stop blocks are like stop signs. They’re part of a proper system. They aren’t optional
They are. And even if it wasn’t the case, their lack is not an excuse; if an intersection has no clear priority sign, it doesn’t give drivers the right to pass as they want.
I doubt there are many non rural, non isolated 4 way intersections in all of western Europe or north America without a sign.
The point that you clearly cannot grasp is this: cars are unsafe, and hard to handle. Good design and especially focusing on separation are required for an orderly interface between cars and pedestrian spaces, even in Europe where as you say, the drivers are quite good.
I never said stop blocks are a bad thing. I just say that, if you don’t give a shit about others enough to just check if you correctly parked, you’re an asshole.
I think this stop is something very American. In Europe it’s very rare to see a stop for the cars. You just learn to drive correctly. American drivers are just worse at driving than European ones, because your streets and parking spaces and literally anything else car related is just huge. And same with parking spaces. You are used to having a stop, so you only learn how to park correctly if there is a stop.
There are some parkings with stop blocks in Europe, but they’re more of an exception rather than a norm. What I think is a better solution, is to have a wider sidewalk with some trees, shrubs, lamp posts, etc. right next to the curb, that act as a natural limit for how far people will park their car.
Much as the dutch have mastered the design of new roads to separate them from pedestrian and cycling paths, stop blocks are simply a good feature.
Many buildings in Europe aren’t even handicapped accessible (such as old buildings, cramped buildings) and that doesn’t mean European disabled folks are “better” wheelchair operators, it just means antiquated spaces aren’t always designed with modern best practices.
Stop blocks keep people safe, and ensure access for those like the disabled.
It’s not that Europeans are “better drivers” ,(evidence: this picture), it’s that it isn’t a law there, and isn’t part of the design of the spaces these parking spots are in.