Some people who went to college with me may remember Brian Lawless's Electronics Book. In the intro, he was going on about logic or something and in it, he alleged that on traffic lights in China, green meant stop and red meant go. Well, I live in China, and of course it’s a load of cobblers. Traffic lights in China are the same as in every other country I’ve ever been to.
But maybe Lawless had a point and he didn’t realise it! I’m not a driver, so I don’t usually pay much attention to the road when I’m in a car. That’s a blessing when you’re in China, since the drivers are crazy! I digress. Anyway, I got a taxi into town last night and noticed that the driver sailed through almost every red light! The only lights he stopped at were at big junctions. I don’t think it was anything to do with respect for the law why he stopped. It was simple self-preservation. He didn’t want to get squished by oncoming traffic! So, Mr. Lawless, I conclude that in China, a red light is merely a decoration. They do whatever the hell they like!!!
4 Comments:
That is so true! My brother was over in China with my dad and his friends a few years back. They were transported in a government people carrier. When it beeps, people would get out of the way.
12:37 PM, December 03, 2005
i think most patrol cars retire after 10:30pm, so taxi drivers are free to do as they will.
2:40 AM, December 04, 2005
My friend has a friend who had been to China and she was saying the same thing about Chinese drivers on her blog. I also read somewhere that traffic accidents are high in China because of their (apparent lack of) driving ethics.
I think your posts in the future might be as interesting as what you have so far so I'll link your blog to mine. :D
8:56 AM, December 06, 2005
Beautiful pictures by the way! Especially the one where you said your camera's battery died.
8:58 AM, December 06, 2005
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