Streets Without Signs

Kevin Roderick’s LA Observed has an excerpt from a recent article in Der Spiegel which discusses how some European traffic planners are REMOVING signs and lines to force drivers to self-regulate and therefore be more obedient and courteous to each other.

“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….”

It seems that most of the signs are ignored anyway. When was the last time you saw a car drive on the freeway under 65 mph? If California eliminated the double yellow line in the middle of the road, would the self-absorbed SUV driver slow down and pay attention?

It’s an interesting idea, getting rid of regulations and signs and allowing the driver to navigate a road more carefully, a road that has no directions other than common sense and courtesy.

Republicans would probably like the reduction in rules and government regulation and increase in individual responsibility.