I live in Australia but normally get around with a folding bike that I can take on busses and trains easily, however I have decided it’s time to learn to drive, not due to any love of cars but rather just so I can do it if needed. Also I technically own half a car so it would be good if I can use it if I am ever moving or doing a political event or something.
So on to the story, my driving instructor was a good teacher, however the entire time he was complaining that cars don’t have right of way and have to go 40kmh lmao.
He watched a pedestrian cross the road on a green pedestrian light, and complained about the pedestrian not looking… because they have right of way. We also had him tell me the busses shouldn’t just pull out when they have indicated for 5 seconds and should still give way (legally they do not have to… because they are moving far more people than a mostly empty car)
Also said it was stupid that cars have to go 40kmh on busy roads with businesses on either side of it as pedestrians may want to cross, instead of having to give way to cars…
Do people in cars really all constantly get mad they don’t have absolute right of way at all times???
Fun fact:
In Germany, a turning vehicle has to yield to pedestrians. Pretty much no one knows about this, as you’d expect.
In the UK also. Obviously pedestrians can’t rely on drivers respecting this right, or even checking whether they need to. But, if you’ve made eye contact, don’t give way to them. Hold up a hand to indicate they need to stop and cross to make them wait like they should.
Oh, I’ve definitely gotten some weird looks. The audacity of a pedestrian knowing the rules, how can I
Like Neo
Oh, another good one is that paving or cobble always means walking speed. Though in that case, car drivers actually respect it most of the time, it’s rather the cyclists here who don’t care for some reason.