1. Drivers should just stop.

2. Trains have lights, bars and, warning alarms that a train is coming so this is a poor metaphor. If a train was being driven by a person I could see and I had to walk in front of it. I'd make damn sure I made eye contact with that person to make sure they saw me before walking in front of it.

3. The way you've laid out the above relies on perfect adherence and perfect performance. Isn't half a second worth your life or limb to make sure the driver sees you? He should see you, he should stop, but if he doesn't something terrible will happen.

The logic you've laid out above says "I'm so busy and important that I'm not willing to sacrifice half a second and instead will rely on all drivers to be perfectly adherent and never make a mistake despite their best intentions." This just seems like a bad bet to me and a very poor trade off.

I admit it would be hard to convince me the above is a sound way of thinking. I'm a careful driver and am extra conscientious about pedestrians but I know this city has lots of drivers who aren't, so it seems like a poor risk to take.

I have never not lived in a city.