Driving in Germany and the US

From our Schnitzelbahn guest blogger, BB:

Recently I was in the United States and after almost 7 years of foreign duty the differences in traffic rules and etiquette between Americans and citizens of the Fatherland began to really take hold. With few exceptions I find that Germans, true to tradition are ardent rule followers in the traffic/auto arena.

Examples:

• After leaving my favorite Berlin Bar (Newton) very late, uh actually it was very early morning, a stranger and I approached a crossing and the pedestrian light changed to red. Not a vehicle was stirring, not even a taxi. I continued on (looking both ways, Mom) but impressively, the German waited for the light to change. Americans would generally dodge cars regardless of signal!
• Waiting at a traffic signal, I realized I was in the wrong lane. I turned on my blinker and the second car on my right just courteously allowed  me to change lanes. Recently in Dallas, with blinker, rolled down window and hand and voice pleadings, I was totally ignored except for the one single finger salute.  And the guy behind me had to have burned out his horn. So I entered the freeway into a colossal traffic jam!

The priority right of way in Germany is pedestrian, bicycle, bus, and auto. I think just the opposite in the US. Of course there are no bicycles except for the greenbelt paths where affluent folks get to show off their kids, flashy gear and expensive foreign made bikes, which is of course accretive to the bike theft industry.

There is one exception and that is taxi drivers who apparently buy off the police and are allowed to break every conceivable traffic rule with impunity.  Illegal U turns, double parking, indiscriminate lane changing, driving on pedestrian malls, speeding, illegal turns, etc. It begs the question if these guys were trained in the US.  But one point in their defense; I can communicate with English and simple German or pidgin German and do just fine with the mix of German and foreign taxi drivers here. Recently in Dallas, the airport cabbie had to call his daughter because he did not understand downtown, tall buildings, courthouse, street names, etc.

In Germany, the caution light is a signal to begin slowing and braking in anticipation of the red light.  In the US it is a signal to beat the clock which contributes to an inordinate rate of serious accidents. (I lost two friends to this ignorant attitude!)  And I like the German caution light on the green change as well. It just adds a modicum of attention, civility and order to this dangerous environment.

Germans are generally intolerant of mistakes and disregard for the rules, but it is because they generally follow them!  Ironically, my observance of the German traffic rules and laws, have served to make me a worse driver in the States.  I guess it is the fact that I cannot expect 90% of other drivers to be observant and careful.

Another incalculable benefit of the German system is safety inspections. I now drive a 12 year old Mazda that sounds like a singer sewing machine and drives like well, a 12 year old well-maintained Mazda. The point is-- one rarely sees a clunker. They just are not tolerated.

Driving in Germany is a privilege and an expensive one at that. Generally it is +- €1200 to obtain a license at the age of 18. In the US it is a rite of passage at age 16. A recent statistic was that 65% of high school juniors and seniors drive cars to school in the US vs. less than 2% in Germany.  I know, I know it’s all about public transportation.  No it’s not damnit. It’s about cost, responsibility, privilege, affluence, expectations, values and OK, parking!!

Alright, I also realize I am a pre boomer ’43, and all four of my kids had cars in HS, and I had one at 15. Would I do it all over again? I’m not so sure knowing what I know now.  I am not becoming a socialist, perhaps just more of a realist.  If I survive another 20 years, I will be interested in rockers and walkers and perhaps wear a bib. I just want most of the world to get to that point.