Pedestrian's Right Of Way

as long as they are in a cross walk and not going against trafic, don't they get right of way?

i learned many years ago when learning to drive that pedestrians have the right of way. unless of course they're J-walking, then they don't have right of way but you still have to stop and not hit them (as much as i wish i could for the fact they're not in a designated cross-walk and therefore don't have the right of way).

when a light turns green and you're turning, you have to yeild to pedestrians trying to cross the road. i appreciate having that priveldge as a pedestrian because lets face it, walking takes A LOT longer than driving so why shouldn't they have the right of way?

today i witnessed a vehicle making a left-hand turn gun it when the light turned green even though there was a pedestrian wanting to cross the road. the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection blocking the other lane of traffic (there wasn't any at the time) and then words were exchanged. not sure what was said and i really wished i turned my music and my windows down so i could hear just what was said. i do believe the pedestrian was getting mad at the car, but the exchange wasn't just a quick "watch where you're driving!".

always be on the lookout for pedestrians at cross-walks!