Rylan Clark has sparked outrage with an expletive rant about pedestrians – and we want to know what you think!
In a swiftly deleted Twitter post, the telly favourite slammed pedestrians who walk across zebra crossings without thanking drivers as ‘rude b*****ds’ . So we’re asking you if people should say thank you to drivers at pedestrian crossings?
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, the BBC Radio 2 star vented: “I know it’s the law and that pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings… BUT SAY THANK YOU OR POP UR HAND UP. Rude pr**ks… (Stuck in traffic and annoyed).”
The post soon appeared as ‘no longer available’ on the social media platform after X users tore into Rylan’s comments. One person fumed: “Ah, I see Rylan is jeopardising his National Treasure status by having a go at the zebra crossing community. I’m sorry, but this topic isn’t as black & white as you might think”.
Another raged: “I love Rylan, but I will take my time at a zebra crossing, and will shout at any driver that doesn’t respect my RIGHT OF WAY.” Replying to the public’s criticism of his tweet, Rylan said: “Some of your replies are just so 2024. Have a lovely day you rude b*****ds.”
However, some users backed his original post, as one supporter shared: “Agree!! And when you let someone out or filter in traffic and they don’t say thank you.” By law, all drivers are required to stop at zebra crossings when a pedestrian is waiting, or risk being faced with fines of £100 and three licence penalty points.
If you can’t see the poll, click here.
However, there is no requirement for pedestrians to stop at the crossing themselves, or thank the driver while crossing. Mirror readers were also divided in the comments of the original story about Rylan’s deleted tweet, as Gocatcrazy wrote: “I always say thank you when a motorist has stopped to let me cross.. its known as having manners, which unfortunately a lot don’t seem to have these days…”
Another agreed with the former Strictly It Takes Two host saying: “Agree with Rylan. Also can’t stand those people who just march off the pavement onto the crossing expecting all the traffic to come to an immediate stop!”
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However, marcwebbo50 disagreed: “Never do it at a zebra crossing as it is the law that vehicles have to stop but I do it when I’m waiting to cross a road and a driver stops when they don’t have to to let me cross.”
WhatIThink also said: “What irritates me, as a pedestrian is when someone, gestures you to ‘go’, but waves their hand very fast, like “hurry up”! Especially when it’s cold, wet and windy, and they are warm and cosy in their car. I can’t drive, I have painful knees, and I don’t want to be made to feel like a nuisance, when simply trying to get from A to B safely.”
What do you think? Do you agree with Rylan’s comments that pedestrians should always thank drivers for stopping at zebra crossings? Or are you not so sure? Take our poll and expand on your thoughts in the comments.