Comments on Liu Shinan's column "Drivers need road tests and manners" (China Daily, January 24, 2007)

I'm sure that nearly every country that has introduced automobiles within its borders has had to bear with traffic issues as well. The article centers on Chinese road tests and manners, but in other countries, such as the US, it is automobile-caused fatalities that are the biggest traffic problem.

Deaths from roadway accidents (either due to excessive speeds, drunk driving or even gun shots killing innocent bystanders in highway drive-by shootings) are very common in America. With all due consideration, manners are important. However, between a misplaced honk or two and staying alive, I would certainly choose the latter.

Priorities

On China Daily website

Every country has a flaw in driving. In Australia, it's the bad country roads we get and a lot of drunk driving.

In China, it's people who don't even care about road rules. I'm even frightened to sit in the front seat of a taxi whenever I'm in China.

Aussie

On China Daily website

I've driven both in the US and China, and driving in China takes a whole different type of skills than in the US.

Pedestrians complain about drivers not giving way at zebra crossings, but the real challenge is not hitting pedestrians walking in the middle of the street, totally unaware of traffic around them and not following the rules either.

Fred

On China Daily website

(China Daily 02/01/2007 page11)