ieani said:
One, we do allow for a turn on red (depending on whether it is a one way street or not. In most areas it is possible to turn right at a corner with traffic traveling in both directions; both "north and south". In some areas we allow for a left hand turn after a stop; if the the street one is making the turn on from is one way, and the the street you are making the turn from is one way.
I can not speak from Germany, but an observation in Reykjavik - they don't use horns as we do in the US. At least from the view from the "Bus"; yes the drivers seem to drive aggressively. Not nearly as much as I heard of car drivers though.
I understand the need to get some place quickly. Though in the US it seems to be self defeating due to disregard to social norms.
Does it do any good for one to race ahead of me on local streets; with them weaving in on out, and cutting others off? Only to have me coast up next to them at the next stop light?
My "impression" of Germany and their "Autobahn"; is that one of a more "civilized" view on the use of the road. Slower cars to the right, and yield to those approaching on the left. At least in my view of Iceland, no one person by ownership of a certain car, owned the road. In London, in the Hammersmith-Fuller district; there was a respect of the rules of the road.
Even in Central London, the "congestion" district they imposed seems to have have worked. For I saw traffic moving during the morning rush near Westmister that I would never expect to see any where near the Federal core in the DC area.
But in many ways it is about the respect we show each other. In Iceland, they look at each person that passes in the street or road. Maybe in some hope to see if they might know each other.
In London it is harder to place a reason; other than basic human respect. I say this only after suffering food poisoning on my flight from Reykjavik to London. I felt ill on my arrival to my B&B (The Orlando Hotel). As with another thread here on MR; I arrived trying to decide which end was most important.
To make a long story short; I went in to the city of London. Those feelings of doing a "hurl" came over me. I did deep breaths. To no avail; I hurled just outside the gates of the Westminster Tube.
When I approached the reps near the gates, they were more concerned about my well being than anything else. They asked if I needed a "Chemist" {IRC} or a Doctor. They cared not where I "hurled"; but about my well being.
The point is, I feel that we in the US, only care about ourselves on the roadway (and in other aspects of our life). We have HOV lanes in my area, I have heard firsthand that is "cheaper" to pay the ticket than to obey the law.
It is about "social responsibility". It is about respecting the "Golden Rule" of :doing unto others, as one have others do unto you". It is not just about the Bible, but the basic tenants that so many other civilizations have common beliefs in. In many ways it is supporting of "common law" from England that is the basis of US law.
