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Waarneming(en) over verkeer buiten Nederland.
In Europe, pedestrians cross only when the next car (approaching) is miles away. Cars rule the road, they have full priority between crossroads. I searched for a rule in the Dutch (highway) code, and found nothing. Just priority rules for intersections. Somehow the implicit rule has settled.
In Morocco the pedestrians don't hinder drivers, but they share the road with them. They walk onto the road, look, stop one foot before the car's passage and continue immediately, even when the next car passes at one foot behind.
As a pedestrian, I liked it immediately. As a driver, it got me quite nervous. But you can get used to it.
Part of the equation are the moderate speeds. Even at 2x2 boulevards they all obey the 50 km/h limit.
There seem to be no speed cameras, just laser guns outside cities.
There are policemen at most major intersections, which is effective when you think about it.
Unfortunately, there are traffic lights, perhaps less frequent than Europe.
Another myth: they drive aggressively. They don't, they just use make use of spaces in order to keep going.
Some other differences: | Europe | Morocco |
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Honk | Pointing the finger | Warning | Traffic warden | Check and fine | Assistance to drivers: show where's a space (they push a car if needed), guarding (even at night) $ | Taxi | Long = expensive trips only (at least preferred by drivers), not shared. | Small cars for cheap urban trips, and 'grands taxis' for shared, longer trips.* | | | |
$ I got a wheel clamp in Casablanca (thought I'd be back to the car in a few minutes). To my surprise they use it just as a measure to make you pay the parking fee; without extra charges.
* On a Sunday I counted that 4 out of 5 cars were taxis, on a main road (Casablanca). In Europe I won't go near one, but there we used them all the time. They were usually easy to find.
Laatste wijziging: 13:28 13/04 2012
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