Help a tourist cross the road - pedestrian safety in Rome and Florence
Sep 26th, 2004, 08:54 AM
#42
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Oh, oh. Just when I thought I had most of my bases covered for next weeks trip.
If one grew up in NYC and learned to cross the streets there in on piece, might I probably do okay crossing the streets in Italy? Of course I am a little out of practice since I have not lived in NYC for over 20 yrs. I have only been able to use my big city street crossing skills every now and then while visiting my family, so I am very rusty.
When I was little we just waited for a lull in the traffic and strode across. When vehicles would barrel down on us we either ignored the driver's honks and yells and kept going or gave the driver a nasty look and kept walking.
If one grew up in NYC and learned to cross the streets there in on piece, might I probably do okay crossing the streets in Italy? Of course I am a little out of practice since I have not lived in NYC for over 20 yrs. I have only been able to use my big city street crossing skills every now and then while visiting my family, so I am very rusty.
When I was little we just waited for a lull in the traffic and strode across. When vehicles would barrel down on us we either ignored the driver's honks and yells and kept going or gave the driver a nasty look and kept walking.
Sep 26th, 2004, 10:53 AM
#43
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No - this is not like NYC. In NYC there are lights at every corner - and (mostly) people stop for them. In Rome and Florence traffic lights are very few and far between. You are not jaywalking against a light - you are just walking straight out into traffic (often farily fast moving - since here are few lights to slow it down). And there is often no visible "break" in traffic to walk into. You simply walk out into the traffic (naturally not stepping directly in front of a moving car) without making eye contct with the driver - otherwise it becomes a game of chicken.
I know it sounds bad - but if you watch people for a couple of minutes you'll get the idea. You just need to remember that - unlike often in NYC - the drivers do know you have the right of way - and will stop.
I know it sounds bad - but if you watch people for a couple of minutes you'll get the idea. You just need to remember that - unlike often in NYC - the drivers do know you have the right of way - and will stop.
