| JS: I can assume most non Chinese passport holding citizens living in Shanghai or China would disagree with you. Just because everyone is breaking the law doesn't mean it is right for for you to. I know this is a totally different situation, but have you thought about the German Nazi's? Many of the lower level military infantry said they didn't have a choice because the orders came from above... but does that mean they HAD to carry out the orders? The entire world agreed they were wrong and fought them for it. As someone that has driven in China, I understand where you are coming from, but it doesn't make it right for you to disregard the law just like everyone else. If pedestrians in China all banded together and said "NO, we won't accept this driver behavior anymore", I'm sure more drivers would follow the rules. The problem is that the majority of pedestrians don't even know they have the right of way and assume rich people with vehicles are always right! Btw, I've also hit a BMW in Shanghai when I was riding my bike because "I had the right of way going straight when he was turning left". He was afraid to stop cause he knew I was right, so he kept driving off with a scratched car... What also concerns me is that you say the following: "It is all about resources. There are so few roads, and so many cars, and people. People have to accept the fact is, not everyone has 2 sq. meter of space in this city.". What you are implying is that traffic in New York City (with the biggest city population in North America) doesn't work and that the automobiles have the right of way. The reality is (and I've lived there also) the traffic in NYC works because the drivers do follow the rules (most of the time) and there are many police officers around to enforce the law when it is broken. |
How I Drive in Shanghai?