[OSM-talk] Software goes on, brain goes off...

[Nathan Edgars II]

John Smith wrote:
>If you wanted something more definite, police injury records could
>provide alternative verifiability, if as John pointed out 5 people
>were hurt or killed trying to cross a road than it's obviously not
>safe.
Only if you do the same for other vehicles - highway with lots of
crashes means motor_vehicle=no :)

As others have said, foot=no when pedestrians are legally allowed is a
bad idea. As long as you walk against traffic, drivers will usually
see you, and you can easily see and get out of the way of any vehicles
unless the paved area extends all the way to the edge of the
right-of-way. The idea that one should not walk on certain roadways
where walking is legal, simply because certain drivers can't drive, is
ridiculous, and leads to legal restrictions that prohibit reasonable
pedestrian access to large areas. For example, in Pennsylvania, at
many traffic lights, pedestrians are not allowed to cross any
approach. The effect is that a pedestrian will either cross illegally
or walk sufficiently away from the light to cross in a legal but
less-safe place.