Before coming here the "gentleman" culture was fascinating and seductive. All the charm associated with it is great. Watching the BBC and often thinking how well educated the English are and how interesting it would be living in such a civilised place.
Well, reality is something different.
There are a list of things - the ones that know me wont doubt I would write pages and pages. But, there is one in particular: crossing the road at a junction.
In Portugal the highway code says that, at a junction, the pedestrian has the priority. In Portugal, often considered to be 3rd world by some either arrogant foreigners, or by some frustrated and/or short minded Portuguese, the rule is actually mostly respected.
I'm outraged that people do not stop at a junction for pedestrians here: NEVER! I'm not forgetting any case, in two years it never happened.
Well, I tried to give myself an excuse by thinking that the highway code was different here. However, as a form of respect in society, giving the priority to the ones more fragile, is a basic form of education. I could not believe people would not understand that a pedestrian on the road, should be protected.
The most annoying example, it happened again this evening and it was at least the 2nd time in the week. It is raining, it is cold, the pedestrians (including me) have no umbrella, but at a crossing: "Ah Ah Ah!! You stupid guy standing there under the rain and the cold trying to cross in front of my 1 ton car, try to get in front of me!"
No exaggeration, they probably accelerate. Once, since I was already in the middle, they actually protested that I was crossing the road!!!
So, the deception was already indescribable, but... The highway code of this country actually says:
"8
At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rule 170)."
"
"170
Take extra care at junctions. You should
* watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, powered wheelchairs/mobility scooters and pedestrians as they are not always easy to see. Be aware that they may not have seen or heard you if you are approaching from behind
* watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way
* watch out for long vehicles which may be turning at a junction ahead; they may have to use the whole width of the road to make the turn (see Rule 221)
* watch out for horse riders who may take a different line on the road from that which you would expect
* not assume, when waiting at a junction, that a vehicle coming from the right and signalling left will actually turn. Wait and make sure
* look all around before emerging. Do not cross or join a road until there is a gap large enough for you to do so safely"
Welcome to the so called 1st world.
My experience is the opposite. In Lisbon no one stops, in Bristol pretty much everyone did, and even in London they do, most of the times. There I things I love about Portugal - the driver/pedestrian relationship is not one of them, and I would never use it as an example of a positive.
ReplyDeleteI would!
ReplyDeleteYes, I can see that :)
ReplyDelete