Rules of the Road

Tiffany- October 19, 2005

If you consider the fact that Shanghai has 40,000 cabs compared to 12,760 in NYC, you can imagine how crowded the streets can get. Add in personal cars, trucks and buses, and even simple things like crossing the street can be challenging. Over the past 6 weeks, Zach and I have learned how to successfully be a pedestrian in Shanghai. Here are a few of the tips we’ve picked up:

1. Traffic lights and one-way streets are merely suggestions, not rules. Cross streets with caution and always look both ways.

2. Pedestrians absolutely do not have the right of way anywhere. Car trumps motorbike, which trumps bike, which trumps people. If you see something coming towards you that happens to be bigger or faster than you, MOVE!

3. Cab drivers LOVE playing games of chicken with other cabs, cars and bikes. They love to get as close as possible to all other objects before braking. I have to say, they all are very talented, as I haven’t seen any accidents yet. I just can’t imagine how many brake pads they go through in a month!

4. Sidewalks are merely continuations of the street for scooters, motorcycles and bikes. And even on sidewalks, pedestrians do not have the right of way.

5. Locals tend to sit in the front with the cabdriver when riding alone. At first, I thought it was due to the charm of cab driver conversations or the desire to live on the edge and fully experience the craziness of driving in Shanghai. Now I’ve figured out it’s the best seat in the house for two reasons: 1. It is the only seat with a seatbelt (and after you see these people drive, you’ll definitely want it) 2. Unless the cabdriver gets confused and turns the wrong way, there’s little danger of getting spit on (see previous entry ‘Spit Happens’).

When reading all these ‘rules’, one would think Shanghai’s streets were filled with accidents. Fortunately, due to the high levels of traffic, cars go so slow that they have plenty of time to avoid collisions. Either way, we’re always extra careful every time we take on the streets of Shanghai!