Kultur-4

 

           The two texts that I found most relevant to the Ann Arbor campus were the Red Dictator and Two Wheeled Teutons. These two texts listed provided some explanation of the commuter life that those in Germany face. Because of the traffic congestion that drivers face on the main roads, most city dwellers choose not to drive but instead to ride a bike.

            According to the Red Dictator, pedestrians  in Germany obey crosswalk signs. The pedestrians on Ann Arbor’s campus have a difficult time understanding the concept of red meaning stop and white meaning go. Motor operators that don’t give into the right of way excuse will find themselves battling tickets back and forth. Those that do obey the law, will be witness to smug students crossing at intersections on a green light. German pedestrians have respect for the traffic laws. Those that don’t obey the crossing signs will face a car purposefully speeding at them.  Drivers in Germany find a pedestrian to be a challenge to scare/hit.

            To enforce this idea, the Red Dictator tells of  pedestrians that will go out of their way to shame those that break the rules, in which fellow citizens may enter into a verbal confrontation with said offender over a J-walking incident.

            The worst of the pedestrians is yet to be discussed. Bicyclists on Michigan’s campus are of course another example of a problem at hand. These pedestrians believe that they always have the right of way. Two Wheeled Teutons provides a solution to this problem in which Germany’s separate roads for bikes are constructed, as well as mini autobahns. Though created for a money saver and quicker transportation. Roads such as this would lower the irritation levels that a driver in the city of Ann Arbor has to face everyday.

            It is unlikely that Michigan students will ever learn nor care that a two ton piece of metal will crush them like a bug, German’s definitely do. Changing the Pedestrian mind-set of Ann Arbor populous would most certainly be beneficial to driver. Until then they will have to continue stopping on a green light for a smirking pedestrian.