You Should be More Careful!

That's what the nice Irish policeman said to someone I know, after crossing the street. Why did he say that? Because a car driver saw a pedestrian crossing the street, and that was a good-enough reason to speed up. Why not making the poor pedestrian sweat a bit and feel like this could be his/her last moment in life?

That's how it is here in Dublin. The streets of Dublin (or any other place in Ireland) are not a safe place! The unwritten law is that cars and drivers have the priority to drive (and maybe run over people as well???...), the pedestrians must be more careful and more responsible, and wish they had a car. That way we'll feel much safer.

After being here for almost a month, I can understand where it comes from. The streets of Dublin are very narrow and crowded. There are more traffic lights for cars than pedestrians. We have to cross the street whenever it seems safe enough. But there's always a car with a mad driver behind the wheel, just around the corner. Pedestrians always have to press a button if they want to cross the street, even at the city busiest junction. Otherwise the light will never change to green on most pedestrians' traffic lights.

The police' approach is to reproach and preach. At least they don't give pedestrians reports for crossing the street on red light and/or carelessness . Like in Israel. But at least in Israel pedestrians are more taken care of. the police do a lot in those cases, and give away many reports to rogue drivers. I read and saw on the news!

I know some might disagree. I know it sounds absurd, but wait till you are here, and then understand what I'm talking about. Yes, I do mean that Israeli drivers are more careful than Irish. Despite the fact that they can stab you when you argue with them. Well, I'm exaggerating, as almost always, but it does happen, sometimes. That, too, was written and on the news. From time to time.

I have one last tip. If you're in Dublin, try not to accidentally hit the mirror of the car next to you with our elbow, or the driver will start beeping like crazy and shout at you like crazy. Based on a true story. Not mine. Yet.