I would hope most drivers don’t want to run over people but then again I’ve had drivers look me dead in the eye and still pull out in front of me (also driving). The think there’s a unique combo here of 1) city dwellers used to being pedestrians 2) tourists/those who aren’t comfy being pedestrians as well as 3) people absolutely tuned out for whatever reason as well as notoriously bad drivers in this area so you see al types of behaviors from both drivers and pedestrians.

Alternatively, even if I make eye contact with a driver, who’s to say they still wouldn’t mow me over as a ped? If I waited for eye contact and a ‘go ahead’ gesture from drivers, I’d never get anywhere as a pedestrian in this city.