2006-02
I spent a few days at the coast last month and returned home pondering the puzzle of the different driving styles between here and there. Very different, I think, and somewhat dangerous if you don't pay strict attention to where you are - here or there.
Take the matter of pedestrians and cars. When we moved back here from the coast a few years ago, I was immediately struck by how courteous local drivers are to pedestrians. Cars stop when people step off the sidewalk. That took a bit of getting used to. In fact, some cars stop when you are still just looking at the roadway, and still have both feet planted firmly on the curb. They watch for people and anticipate their next move - in a friendly way. This takes all the fun and excitement out of jay walking, of course. There is no adrenalin rush when you know the oncoming drivers will stop for you.
At the coast people on foot are less than nothing. Drivers would not dream of stopping for a pedestrian trying to get from the shopping mall sidewalk to his/her car, seemingly out of reach in the parking lot. No chance. Maybe that is why they have all those benches outside the malls? People can rest while waiting for a break in the parking lot traffic. Cel phones are wonderful in this situation, too. The tired shoppers, trapped on the sidewalk, can phone home to let the family know they are still alive. Their shopping is all complete, they just can't get back to their car!
Cars there will stop for dogs and cats, but people are invisible to coastal drivers. That is ok as long as both parties understand the rules of the game, which brings me back to jay walking. I used to be quite good at the 'Kitsilano two-step", the approved coastal method of crossing four lines of traffic on foot. I'm sure the Italians have a special term for this as well, as it seems to be their approved method of dealing with the nuisance of cars getting in the way of pedestrians! You would wait until there was a break in oncoming traffic and dash to the centerline, where you stood patiently waiting until an opening in traffic let you make the final dash to the opposite pavement. Everyone understood that the cars would not stop for you, and I used to think that I could detect a predatory gleam in the eyes of the oncoming drivers, but now I believe it was only reflected sunlight. They weren't really willing me to become their new hood ornament. Never the less I have now decided that coastal jay walking is only for the young and fleet of foot, and I am content to cross with the traffic lights. Even the young and fleet footed have abandoned the habit, I think. Traffic, even in the smaller neighbourhoods, is much fiercer than it used to be. I can't imagine what it will be like by the time the Olympics come to Vancouver .It was a positive relief to get back to the relative tranquility of Harvey. Not the bridge, of course.
However, drivers dealing with other drivers is quite a different story. The reverse, in fact. Coastal drivers are courteous to their peers and will let you make a left turn or change lanes. They understand that in the new maze of 4 lane roads and overpasses, underpasses, on ramps and off ramps, drivers need to move across traffic. They follow the Golden Rule with other drivers. They may mow down pedestrians like ten pins, but other drivers are treated with respect. They seem to have accepted the idea that if everyone dealing with rush hour traffic sacrifices 30 seconds, we will all get where we are going safely. No so here! It seems that once our friends and neighbours get behind the wheel of their cars, all other vehicles become the enemy. The frighteningly high number of intersection collisions proves my point. Drivers here will deliberately run a yellow light rather than let the other poor soul make a left turn, with the resulting smash. On foot, you are safer here; however, once inside a vehicle, you must be vigilant!
As we are on the topic of courtesy, many of you may be surprised to hear that our local young people score well over their coastal counterparts. Strolling through the local malls I have often approached a group of young people, (they travel in packs, don't they?) and have been pleasantly surprised when they parted, like the Red Sea, and let me through. I'm sure, on one occasion, a young man actually said 'sorry' as he stepped out of my way. I could have been dreaming, of course, but I'm sure that is what I heard.
I'd like to take a moment to thank those of you who have visited our website at seniorschoice.com and then taken a moment to email in your comments and suggestions. We have had 14,000 visitors so far this year, and hope this number continues to grow. You will see that many of your suggested web links have been added, and enjoyed by others. Please keep those letters and emails coming! - more poems, too, please!
- Pat Archibald, Editor - |
