Originally Posted by
joninkrakow
I am probably a fool and this is dumb, but I stopped worrying about eye-contact years ago, when drivers would look me in the eye, and pull out. I don't know if they couldn't judge my speed, or if they that that, having eye contact meant that they could pull out with impunity or what. In any case, I stopped going for eye contact, and started watching their front wheels. You can judge what they are doing by how their tires are rotating. That has been a better judge for me than eye contact. Plus, I suspect it makes the driver more nervous about whether you are going to stop or not, and he stops. In any case, my close calls became much fewer and further between.
-Jon
Actually watching the front wheel makes a lot more sense than eye contact. I have a few high-traffic spots and plenty of side streets where people can pull out in front of me, or turn a corner in front of me. (all have happened). I too have found that eye contact is no guarantee.
Speaking of eye contact. Yesterday I was sprinting to make it through a traffic light. There are two right-turn lanes and one left turn lane, and one lane that is left turn or straight. Well, very few cards go straight, so as I sprinted past these cars, I happened to look into one of them. I must have shocked the driver. All I saw were his mouth and eyes wide open as if in shock. Of course I suppose he could have been suggesting that take a flying leap, but, whatever.