Europeans Seek An End To Traffic Rules

In another example of  deluded pseudo-logic, several European cities are seriously considering doing away with all traffic signs. 

European traffic planners are dreaming of streets free of rules and directives. They want drivers and pedestrians to interact in a free and humane way, as brethren -- by means of friendly gestures, nods of the head and eye contact, without the harassment of prohibitions, restrictions and warning signs.¹

The German town of Bohmte (pop. ~13,500) is refurbishing their roads to eliminate the curbed sidewalks.¹

"The sidewalks are going to go, and the asphalt too. Everything will be covered in cobblestones," Klaus Goedejohann, the mayor, explains. "We're getting rid of the division between cars and pedestrians."¹

Important safety tip:  don't play (or walk) in the street.

There are many places where less (or no) regulation is a great improvement - traffic is generally not one of those areas.  Imagine no stop signs or traffic signals in metropolitan traffic.  Look for the brotherly eye contact - was that a nod of the head?

If there are no traffic rules - what is to prevent driving on the 'wrong' side of the road?  What about accidents?  If someone runs their vehicle into yours - whose insurance pays for the repairs?  There are no rules, so no one is at fault.

I've driven in many parts of the world where traffic laws are routinely ignored (and unenforced) and the results are chaotic.  It is not the simplistic utopia that the Europeans are trying to implement.  There are colorful and hateful gestures and curses exchanged and the most aggressive driver usually makes their way through the street in the least amount of time.

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Source:

1. Matthias Schulz . European Cities Do Away with Traffic Signs.
Spiegel. November 16, 2006.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,448747,00.html

© 2006 Michael Cale