Unsafe is safe

[Originally posted on goofyblog 11.23.06]

Some cities in Europe are removing all traffic signs and lights entirely, thus in effect returning to the Middle Ages, where carts and people regulated themselves. This apparently is working in the cities it has been tried in so far.

The rationale is interesting as Dutch traffic guru Hans Monderman, one of the project’s co-founders says: “The greater the number of prescriptions, the more people’s sense of personal responsibility dwindles.”

Funny how things are becoming less regulated in some parts of the world, while ever more regulated in our corner of the world. More excerpts. . .

European traffic planners are dreaming of streets free of rules and directives. They want drivers and pedestrians to interact in a free and humane way, as brethren — by means of friendly gestures, nods of the head and eye contact, without the harassment of prohibitions, restrictions and warning signs.

The utopia has already become a reality in Makkinga, in the Dutch province of Western Frisia. A sign by the entrance to the small town (population 1,000) reads “Verkeersbordvrij” — “free of traffic signs.” Stop signs and direction signs are nowhere to be seen. There are neither parking meters nor stopping restrictions.

Psychologists have long revealed the senselessness of exaggerated regulations. About 70 percent of traffic signs are ignored by drivers. What’s more, the glut of prohibitions is tantamount to treating the driver like a child and it also foments resentment. He may stop in front of the crosswalk, but that only makes him feel justified in preventing pedestrians from crossing the street on every other occasion. Every traffic light baits him with the promise of making it over the crossing while the light is still yellow.

Strange as it may seem, the number of accidents has declined dramatically [in Darchten]. Experts from Argentina and the United States have visited Drachten. Even London has expressed an interest in this new example of automobile anarchy. And the model is being tested in the British capital’s Kensington neighborhood.