Just How Far Will Motorists Go To Circumvent The Law?
Time Magazine tells us about the drivers of Athens, Greece:
Actually, anyone who wants to drive into the city center every day must have at least two cars, one whose plate number ends on an even number, the other on an odd number — current congestion rules alternate daily between barring odd and even license plate numbers from entering the city center.
Way to go, you freaks!
I must say, I never saw the logic of that ‘alternating day’ strategy. If it works, fine, but it just seemed weird to me. I’m a bit more down with congestion pricing, but whatever works.
And are the drivers of Athens worse than San Francisco drivers?
George Gianalis, a retired professor of literature, doesn’t own a car, and offers modest praise for the public transit system. He’s developed what can only be called a hatred for Athenian behavior behind the wheel. “They curse at you. They spit at you. Only the Italians are worse,” he says. “If they pay a toll it creates respect.” Then, with his own sinister chuckle, Gianalis offered a truly extreme approach to the traffic problem. “All the drivers should be beheaded,” he adds. “But they’re like chickens. They’d keep on driving!”
I think I like this guy.
I like the dig at the Italians, too — it sounds like New Yorkers always talking trash about New Jersey drivers, and vice versa. For my part, I think they’re all terrible drivers. Let them all fight over the dwindling space available to automobiles.
This is going to be a great century.
Leave comment (0)[p.s. The Forums are open for participation.]
