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It’s a phenomenon that happens every day in the car-centric cities of North America: A pedestrian is patiently waiting for a gap in traffic so they can jaywalk across a four-lane roadway. Suddenly, a “Good Samaritan” in the curb lane slams on their brakes and waves for the pedestrian to cross.

The driver likely believes they are performing a selfless service for a stranger. In reality, they are putting that stranger in mortal danger by pressuring them to waltz across three other lanes of still-speeding traffic. That friendly wave is more accurately called a “wave of death.”

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In the video above, see why do-gooder drivers are unwittingly making our roads far more deadly.

• Twitter: TristinHopper | Email: thopper@nationalpost.com