Pedestrian right of way?

[American]

Comparing to the US, I agree that SG drivers are not nearly as aggressive. As pointed out, it's mostly cluelessness and utter lack of regard of surroundings, and of course being in a rush and always wanting to be 1st (kiasu). I've come to the conclusion to just be extra cautious I'm anywhere near an unprotected crossing, will ALWAYS let cars have the right of way, and will never cross until I am 100% certain there are no cars approaching. I'll never trust any stop signs. As someone with small children, it's important to just be as safe and cautious as possible. Bottom line - cars have the right of way in Singapore and we must live by this fact!

[American]

I'm going to have to start a DEFENSIVE WALKING course to ensure survival here in the SG Concrete Kiasu Jungle!

[earthfriendly]

Photos are permanent records and can be stored and it may end up getting people quite defensive / aggressive.

In China, Finnish uncle helps pedestrian cross the street. This happens in Fujian province, where many Singaporean Chinese ancestry hail from, including myself . Also, if one is really interested, you don't need to be a taichi practioner. Can easily pick up a few easy-to-learn posses on Youtube.

Time to have our own (American?) uncle in SG?

http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/news22790.html

[nakatago]

Hmm....

Which is more dangerous, a known psychopath or an unpredictable and unintentional evil?

[rajagainstthemachine]

@american I understand pedestrian right of way but the question is do you value your right of way or a risk breaking a few bones and put out of commission for a few months? I'd say the best sense is common sense. I walk if there is no oncoming traffic.
I've also observed cars not waiting for people to finish crossing the zebra line when the light is green. I almost got mowed down once while I was attempting to cross the second part of the crossing.
Its still not as bad as say India lol so yeh different people different perspectives, I'd say these guys are saints compared to what the morons back home are capable of.
The other day some dude bit a guy in the chest in a case of rabid road rage in Bangalore lol. You wont see that happening here.
The road etiquette is annoying but not that bad lah.

[Strong Eagle]

@american I understand pedestrian right of way but the question is do you value your right of way or a risk breaking a few bones and put out of commission for a few months? I'd say the best sense is common sense. I walk if there is no oncoming traffic.

I think the point that American is trying to make, and one with which I agree, is "does the other person in the cage value my right of way"? Does the other person give a shit?

Yes, common sense dictates that we generally assume that anyone behind the wheel is an asshole and take appropriate protective measures. But, that's not the point.

The point is this: We do not live as independent individuals, we live in a shared society. Our shared society only works when we agree to norms of behavior that enables us, as individuals, to mingle together safely, and with minimal disruption to others.

Take our traffics signals for example. If 40 percent of the people said, "F*ck it, I don't care if a car is coming, I'm going through a red light," then we'd have a shared breakdown. It's not actually any different when the asshole in the automobile says, the same thing... "F*ck you pedestrian, I'm bigger than you, bugger off!".

What American is complaining/lamenting about is the lack of a neighborly, connected behavior amongst strangers... and you're right... India is a prime example of how strangers don't give a shit about one another in a competitive world.

[rajagainstthemachine]

@SE I concur with your viewpoints as well, however was just trying to offer a word of caution to American.
on a related note, this is an interesting book that was written about the behaviour of Indians however I think it can apply to several Singaporean situations as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Games-Indians-Pla ... 0143063111

[menudown]

in some other countries drivers do look out for pedestrians and even slow down if they have to
but not in sg drivers paid for COE so its like they own the road

[Barnsley]

in some other countries drivers do look out for pedestrians and even slow down if they have to
but not in sg drivers paid for COE so its like they own the road

Its s "Certificate of Entitlement" , so why not , you have a black and white to prove it

[rajagainstthemachine]

Lmfao

[x9200]

Fortunately most of them don't have IAP (Inconvenience Avoidance Pass) so they rather avoid hitting pedestrians (and vehicles) as this always means some waste of their time and money.

[American]

Photos are permanent records and can be stored and it may end up getting people quite defensive / aggressive.

In China, Finnish uncle helps pedestrian cross the street. This happens in Fujian province, where many Singaporean Chinese ancestry hail from, including myself . Also, if one is really interested, you don't need to be a taichi practioner. Can easily pick up a few easy-to-learn posses on Youtube.

Time to have our own (American?) uncle in SG?

http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/news22790.html

Ha! Not a chance now. Maybe if I end up retiring here I can be like the crossing guard grandpas with the orange vest and hold up the big stop sign to make sure little children and old folks can cross safely during rush hour.