Crossing a street can be a simple act of meandering from one curb to the next, or it can become a dangerous game of defiance. Now we who live here in the somewhat civilized United States expect a certain measure of courtesy from our compatriots who travel on the highways and byways in various-shaped vehicles. Whether the road traveler is on a bicycle or in a huge overblown SUV, we assume the driver is aware and will not run us down. There are certain rules – actually laws – which we expect others to abide by. The pedestrian has the right of way in a crosswalk. When the traffic light is red, the cars are to stop. Bumpers over the limit line are in violation. These are a few of the standards we hope everyone will follow. Mostly true here in the United States. But, alas, not always the case when we take our expectations abroad.
One of the variations which continues to put me in harms way occurs in the most civilized nation in Europe – England.
You see, when we ceded from English rule, or at least some years thereafter, we in the United States decided to drive on the right side of the road as opposed to the English style of driving on the left. We grew up looking left as we ventured out into a traffic lane. This error could land you on a bumper in London. Thank heavens for all those red painted warnings at most crosswalks that say “Look Right.” The life you save may be your own.
Another area which can be classified as the high risk area for pedestrians is India. This country has never fully accepted the precept that roads are for cars and trucks. I have no knowledge of what the actual laws consist of there, but by observation I have concluded that there are none. Here one is likely to find three cars traveling abreast in the same direction on a two lane road. Elephants and dancing bears can be seen intermixed with buses and trucks – all happily avoiding one another. The sight of a family of three – dad driving, mom behind, and baby in backpack – all helmetless on a motor bike is not an unusual scene. Trucks are painted in garish colors, presumably to frighten others. I often wonder how many pedestrian fatalities occur each busy weekend.
I have long suspected that the ignition key and the horn are directly connected in a number of countries. I will use Nepal as my example. As soon as a vehicle begins to move, the horn commences to toot. I doubt if it serves a purpose, because it has become so commonplace that it is totally ignored. Taxis race toward an intersection each warning the approaching target of their preemptive rights to the crossroad. Although slight scrapes on front fenders are commonplace, there is almost always a chicken and always a winner. But, pedestrians beware – the horn blows, and it blows for you.
Italian drivers have an interesting courtesy. If you dart out on a busy street without giving the “arm in the air signal” they will bowl you over. But if you abide by this rule, they will probably stop or at least politely avoid you as you cross a boulevard. Now what is especially strange about this is that no one, as far as I know, pays any attention to the red, yellow, and green traffic lights. Drivers totally ignore these mechanical signals. But let a pedestrian raise an arm and step off a curb, and the busy flow comes to a halt and respects this lone, vulnerable soul.
I could go on and on philosophizing on these “foreign to us” customs. We could discuss the policy of round-abouts, unusual traffic signs, and the speed limit on the autobahn. But, alas, my dead line approaches and I must leave these other topics for some later issue. Until then, I urge you to be cautious on the highways of the world. Your trip to the airport may be more hazardous than your flight.
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