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Home » Tourism » Travelling Road Safety Tips – Crossing the Road – An Art That Varies In Different Countries

Travelling Road Safety Tips – Crossing the Road – An Art That Varies In Different Countries

11/08/2014 by Amanda

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As one of my Facebook followers recently pointed out, travel is one of the few things you can spend your money on which makes you richer. However, the unwary traveller can easily come to grief and a nasty accident will leave a very unpleasant taste in even the most well-travelled mouth.Things we take for granted at home can present us with un-prepared for challenges when in another country and even the most pedestrian (pun intended) undertaking can be fraught with danger if you don’t keep your wits about you.

Crossing the road is one of the most glaring examples of this. The art of getting from one side of the road to the other varies depending upon what country you are in and what works in one place can be the exact opposite of what will keep you alive and upright in another. This was brought home to us just last week when we took the plunge into Ho Chi Minh City traffic and had to swiftly unlearn previous “best practice” techniques. Here’s my rundown on what has kept me alive in various countries so far.

Rome – the very heavy road traffic here can be daunting for the uninitiated. While there are plenty of pedestrian crossings, the drivers seem to ignore them and the timid tourist could die of exposure well before the cars voluntarily give way. What you need to gain the respect of drivers here is a steely glint in your eye and determination in your step. Step out onto the crossing confidently, hold your hand up in the “halt” sign to the oncoming traffic and keep walking – they will stop.

Hong Kong – once again, this is a place with plenty of pedestrian crossings and the drivers obey the red lights. As a pedestrian, once the green man glows you can walk across the road in (relative) safety, but be warned – you must be well clear of the road the instant that light changes. As soon as they get the green, Hong Kong drivers put the pedal to the metal in no uncertain way, I kid you not. I once saw a slow pedestrian fly through the air and land in a very painful position on a Hong Kong road and the only immediate  concern the driver of the car that hit him had was how much damage had been done to his Mercedes Benz. True story.

Marrakech – the traffic here is just plain scary. The city roads are congested with cars, buses, trucks, bicycles, scooters, heavily laden donkeys and horses and carts. There are crossing lights at some intersections, but I really wouldn’t count on much co-operation from the traffic. The speed variations of such a diverse range of vehicles makes any road crossing tricky, to say the least. This is definitely a place where a sharp eye and a very speedy step is needed. A prayer may or may not help, too.

Ho Chi Minh City – the streets of this vibrant city stream with an incredible number of scooters and small motor cycles, many of which have the driver’s entire family on board and possibly his/her tools of  trade as well. Add to this a growing number of cars and trucks and you have a pedestrian experience that frequently invokes the urge to scuttle feverishly across the swirling vehicles – a seriously wrong move. This instinctive action is one sure way to end as up a jammy spot on the road.  The protocol here may be counter-intuitive, but it works. Step out onto the road slowly, then steadily and calmly thread your way through the traffic, allowing the vehicles to pass around you – do not run. However, if you are really unsure just find a local who is crossing and glue yourself to their side – that worked for us countless times.

No matter where you are trying to cross the road, staying alert is always the safest option and the surest way to ensure you continue your travels in one piece.

What about you, dear reader, have you had any particularly hair-raising road crossing experiences?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna @ shenANNAgans

    August 11, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Haha…. what a cool post, its the little things like crossing a road we dont think about. LOL! I was nearly cleaned up by a bus in the US…. I swear my nose skimmed along the side of the vehicle. Phewww it was close. I cant believe you actually get to be a full on traffic controller in Rome, thats awesome! 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend!

  2. Liz Posmyk of Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things

    August 11, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Wow, that’s interesting Amanda, thanks!

  3. Tania @My Kitchen Stories

    August 11, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    Ha great descriptions and too true. Crossing a road coukld be the hardest thing about traveling

  4. Christie @ Fig & Cherry

    August 12, 2014 at 10:26 am

    Totally agree with Rome and Morocco! Out of this world culture shock – but yes, making me a richer person indeed 🙂

  5. Gerlinde

    August 12, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    Crossing the roads can be dangerous. Rom and Marrakech were ok but Athens scared me. I was almost hit by a driver not paying attention at home here in Santa Cruz.

  6. Hotly Spiced

    August 13, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Or just hope and pray everything you need is on your side of the road. Sounds like you are lucky to be alive, Amanda. I can’t believe one drive was more concerned about the condition of his Mercedes than the condition of the person he ran over. Unbelievable where some people have their priorities xx

  7. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    August 16, 2014 at 9:35 am

    Wow, that all sounds scary. I don’t recall much trouble in Rome but the rest sound icky. I remember on my first trip to Australia John saying, “Look right!!!” 🙂

  8. Amanda McInerney

    August 16, 2014 at 9:42 am

    In Hong Kong the roads are painted with signs telling the pedestrians which way to look. Maybe we should do that here, too, Maureen.

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