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End jungle law in traffic tangle
By Todd S. Fleckenstein |
November 10, 2009, Tuesday
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Print Edition
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WITH the phenomenal growth of licensed vehicles and drivers in the city, it is high time to expect that laws, common sense and personal courtesy replace the present system of utter chaos.
Having been privileged as a licensed driver of over 40 years - in dozens of countries, and for the last few in Shanghai - I offer some comments and suggestions.
This is not an age in which a city of this size and stature can afford to evolve into a modern driving society. We should expect common sense and a willingness to cooperate when it comes to walking, bicycling or motoring.
It's obvious the term "right of way" has little or no meaning in the local driving culture. Pedestrians and then bicyclists should, in that order, have the right-of-way over motorbikes, cars, trucks and buses.
I make it a practice to stop for or heed pedestrians, paying special attention to children, people with babies and the elderly. But when I do there is usually some impatient pinhead behind me, stiff-arming his horn, apparently wanting me to just run over them.
If I yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, I could have six to eight cars coming from behind me, stacking up side-to-side, all vying for two lanes.
I'm dumbfounded by the fact that motorists do not even slow down or look to their left while often making sweeping right-hand turns into traffic - expecting anyone approaching to avoid them.
Pedestrians are not entirely blameless, frequently crossing streets anywhere they choose and often in crosswalks, against pedestrian stop lights.
Little did I realize the seriousness of this suicidal problem until I actually started driving here: Many people on foot, (together with those on bicycles and motorbikes) will cross in front of you without even a glance.
At first, I thought this was just odd. Then I came to realize that the problem is widespread and the truth is that they don't look either way when crossing traffic, expecting a driver to blow their horn if there is a chance they may be run over. Blow your horn, then they get out of the way.
When it's dark, raining and so many are dressed head to toe in black, it's almost impossible to spot them.
A few realistic suggestions:
Get the motorbikes off of the sidewalks and make them obey the traffic laws for stopping, turning and driving against traffic. I have been hit from behind while walking three times in five years by motorbikes on sidewalks. They are a menace.
Motorbikes should carry no more than two people and children should wear helmets (I'm not sure what goes on in the heads of some parents).
Give priority to emergency vehicles. Move over, slow down and let them pass. It's not a competition. The next fire or heart attack may be yours!
Don't drive in designated bike paths or in the opposing traffic lanes and then swerve in front of normal traffic to improve your place in backed-up traffic.
Yes, I know lanes may be narrow but the city was not built on the premise that there would be millions of automobiles.
Stop blowing your horn at me. I'm not going anywhere! The first blast is forgiven but after the second or third you're really going to be delayed waiting for me.
Bad habits, like good ones, frequently come from learned behavior.
I find myself at times wondering if I just shouldn't adapt to the local style. Then I think the better of it. I simply ask my fellow drivers to be different. Be courteous and patient with others.
(The author is managing director of Orien Pacific Shanghai Ltd.)
Having been privileged as a licensed driver of over 40 years - in dozens of countries, and for the last few in Shanghai - I offer some comments and suggestions.
This is not an age in which a city of this size and stature can afford to evolve into a modern driving society. We should expect common sense and a willingness to cooperate when it comes to walking, bicycling or motoring.
It's obvious the term "right of way" has little or no meaning in the local driving culture. Pedestrians and then bicyclists should, in that order, have the right-of-way over motorbikes, cars, trucks and buses.
I make it a practice to stop for or heed pedestrians, paying special attention to children, people with babies and the elderly. But when I do there is usually some impatient pinhead behind me, stiff-arming his horn, apparently wanting me to just run over them.
If I yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, I could have six to eight cars coming from behind me, stacking up side-to-side, all vying for two lanes.
I'm dumbfounded by the fact that motorists do not even slow down or look to their left while often making sweeping right-hand turns into traffic - expecting anyone approaching to avoid them.
Pedestrians are not entirely blameless, frequently crossing streets anywhere they choose and often in crosswalks, against pedestrian stop lights.
Little did I realize the seriousness of this suicidal problem until I actually started driving here: Many people on foot, (together with those on bicycles and motorbikes) will cross in front of you without even a glance.
At first, I thought this was just odd. Then I came to realize that the problem is widespread and the truth is that they don't look either way when crossing traffic, expecting a driver to blow their horn if there is a chance they may be run over. Blow your horn, then they get out of the way.
When it's dark, raining and so many are dressed head to toe in black, it's almost impossible to spot them.
A few realistic suggestions:
Get the motorbikes off of the sidewalks and make them obey the traffic laws for stopping, turning and driving against traffic. I have been hit from behind while walking three times in five years by motorbikes on sidewalks. They are a menace.
Motorbikes should carry no more than two people and children should wear helmets (I'm not sure what goes on in the heads of some parents).
Give priority to emergency vehicles. Move over, slow down and let them pass. It's not a competition. The next fire or heart attack may be yours!
Don't drive in designated bike paths or in the opposing traffic lanes and then swerve in front of normal traffic to improve your place in backed-up traffic.
Yes, I know lanes may be narrow but the city was not built on the premise that there would be millions of automobiles.
Stop blowing your horn at me. I'm not going anywhere! The first blast is forgiven but after the second or third you're really going to be delayed waiting for me.
Bad habits, like good ones, frequently come from learned behavior.
I find myself at times wondering if I just shouldn't adapt to the local style. Then I think the better of it. I simply ask my fellow drivers to be different. Be courteous and patient with others.
(The author is managing director of Orien Pacific Shanghai Ltd.)
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