Stop Signs in America
Someone asked me, what’s the most striking thing about life in America? I’d say: Stop Sign.
What’s a Stop Sign? It’s just a traffic sign where cars need to stop. The rules are simple:
- Encounter a Stop Sign, you must stop (if you’re taking a driving test, the engine must be fully stopped for 2-3 seconds);
- If it’s a one-way Stop Sign, it means only you have the Stop Sign, and you must wait until all other directions are clear before moving;
- If it’s an All-way Stop Sign, meaning all corners have a Stop Sign, follow the first-come, first-go rule;
Let’s give some praise: The Stop Sign is truly a great invention!
Such a simple rule can keep traffic smooth without police direction, even during rush hours. It always makes me think of the intersections in Shanghai, where there’s a traffic cop at every corner (sometimes more than one).
After deep and rigorous reflection, I’ve concluded that the great Stop Sign has some praiseworthy aspects:
- With an extremely low cost, it keeps traffic flowing smoothly at non-busy intersections. No need for traffic lights or police direction. Of course, for very busy intersections, traffic lights are still needed (but no police); the All-way Stop Sign helps spread out the traffic. Cars from all four directions proceed one by one based on the “first come, first go” rule. In contrast, traffic lights can cause traffic clumping.
- Most importantly, such an ordinary traffic sign quietly trains everyone to follow rules. People gain more efficiency by following rules rather than breaking them. Compared to lofty core values, this kind of awareness built into the minutiae of daily life is remarkable!
- Jokingly, the Stop Sign could prevent Alzheimer’s. When you’re at an All-way Stop Sign, you have to calculate which car arrived first and when you can go. Honestly, when you’re new to it, it takes a bit of brainwork.
Of course, not all places in America follow rules so strictly. What I find disgraceful is the freeway speed limits. In California, the speed limit is 65 mph (about 104 km/h), but most people actually drive at 75 mph (120 km/h), or even 80-85 mph (128-136 km/h). Also, in New York City, as a pedestrian, if you follow traffic lights, people can tell you’re from out of town at a glance.