Who’s turn is it anyway
Four way stops, traffic circles and then traffic lights. I am amazed at how many Capetonians and I am sure all other drivers from different areas do not know what to do at these intersections.
The rules are very simple. Stop at a RED traffic light. Go when it’s GREEN. Slow down and be careful when AMBER. At a 4 way stop, those that stop first can go first. A traffic circle, cars in the circle have right of way. Easy, right? In many ways this is not the case. Let’s take a taxi for example. Most of them and please note I say “most of them” seem to have no idea that they should stop at a RED traffic light. They seem to completely ignore a 4 way stop. They even get annoyed when a person who has “right of way’ drive before them.
Traffic circles are an absolute nightmare. Some people just don’t know what to do here. Then there is speed limits and overtaking on the shoulder of the road. Our clients are challenged with this every day. Their main goal is to pass their drivers test. We as DRIVING COACHES have to prepare them for that and teach them how to survive on the road. We do “damn” good job because by the end of their lessons they are able to dodge that taxi and avoid that bus.
Is driving fun? It is indeed. We are challenged every day and at the end we can sit back and smile because today, we have survived to tell yet another tale.