Dear Reader,
I’ve temporarily put my more philosophical reading list on hold while I study for the theory test that UK Driver’s license applicants are required to pass. I’m studying from the Driving Standards Agency’s book The OFFICIAL DSA THEORY TEST for Car Drivers and The Official Highway Code, which declares itself to be “the No.1 best selling theory test book on the market”. Given that the DSA designs and administers both the theory and practical portions of the driving test, I’m surprised anyone else bothers to produce driving guides.
The Highway Code is a collection of both legal requirements and common conventions for all users of roads. In fact, the first section is addressed to Pedestrians, informing them that it is illegal to loiter in crosswalks or to hold on to a moving vehicle. Of course, unless a Pedestrian is also a driver, I’m not sure how they will be aware of these restrictions. Perhaps it is time to issue Pedestrian licenses? At the very least it would force people to familiarize themselves with the local rules for crossing the street. On entering the UK, if a visitor can not distinguish between Zebra, Pelican, Puffin and Toucan crossings, then they must restrict their visit to a single block unless there is a convenient underpass, overpass, or scout to help them cross the street.
There’s also no guidance in the Highway Code for situations where some inconsiderate mob of mindless tourists refuses to make room for a local who is traveling in the opposite direction and in a hurry to get to the grocery store before it closes at 5pm. In those cases, surely the local is justified in stepping out into the street and breaking the first rule for pedestrians - “Pavements should be used if provided” - since the tourists are not “show[ing] due care and consideration for others”?
Looking both ways before crossing the street,
~~~LeAn
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