Absolutely Brilliant

Europe is once again proving its intellectual superiority. Beyond the dykes of the northern nation, the Dutch have come up with a way to improve road safety and driver attention. They have not accomplished this by adding regulations for drivers to abide by, but rather by the stripping away of traffic laws.

This new system of directing motor vehicles known as “shared space” has two rules: drive on the right side of the road, and those approaching from the right have the right of way. This lawless way of traffic is in affect in just two cities currently, but the results are promising. There have been no serious accidents in either city.

The shared space approach to diving not only effects drivers but city planners as well. In these cities, there are no curbs and no separate spaces for walkers or cyclists. Intersections have been replaced with shared space circles, which are devoid of traffic lights.

The idea behind this innovation is to give each diver as much individual responsibility as possible. This encourages civic mindedness both on and off of the road. Of course, they are not so silly as to trust the raw judgment of each person. Children are taught proper road behavior on bicycles and are required to pass driving tests the same way.

Could this work in America? Possibly. If it were slowly and ever so carefully and discreetly phased in. However, the American government has more important things to do right now than to spent time, money, and energy improving our road systems. That was not sarcasm. I truly believe that the number one item on the American agenda should be attempting to keep Iraq out of civil war, and then maybe we could try to do something about the genocide in Africa.