Driving hazards

June 17, 2008 - 7:42 AM by Jessica

Every Sunday morning, the news is filled with stories of people injured and killed in traffic accidents on the road during the weekend. This past Sunday was no different, with five people killed, including a couple and their daughter. I’m always horrified to read these accounts, because the stories behind the accidents seem to be easily prevented by, let’s say, better driving, pedestrian-awareness, less passing on two-lane highways and the like.

I never feel I’m taking my life in my hands when I get behind the wheel in Israel, but I am generally aware of the need to meld the American and Israeli aspects of my personality. For instance, given that I did learn to drive in the suburban surrounds of Long Island, New York, I tend to give the right-of-way to pedestrians, cars backing out in front of me and drivers in the many roundabouts (traffic circles) in these parts.

At the same time, you can’t be a freier, god forbid, and let every other car cut you off. When I bought my first car, one Israeli friend advised me to let one person each day cut me off on the road. That way, he said, you’re allowing for your American mentality while allowing for your Israeli driving personality to develop.

Of course, all bets are off when stuck in going-home traffic in Tel Aviv on a weekday afternoon. When I found myself yesterday in the wrong left-turning lane on my way toward the Ayalon Highway, I quickly insinuated my car into the next lane, earning a sharp beep from the driver to the right. In that situation, you can either accept a window-to-window confrontation with the driver, or turn your head and ignore said driver. When the driver and I were next to each other, he beeped again, rolled down his window, and I, reluctantly, did the same, fearing the worst.

I fixed him with a tough look, and he asked, “How do I get to Azrieli?”, referring to the mall that’s next to the highway entrance. I grinned to myself, realizing that here I had assumed the worst, and this guy was just trying to get directions. I told him where to go, and made my left. But while waiting to make the final turn onto the Ayalon, I must’ve let in at least five other cars creeping up on me. Sometimes, you can just cut fellow drivers some slack.