Don't Be a Hoser, Yeild to the Bus, 'Eh
Effective today, drivers in Ontario Canada must yield the right of way to buses. According to the Canadian Press the new law took effect province-wide following a month-long public awareness campaign. Buses currently sport yield-to-bus decals.
According to Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar, the new law, "will reduce travel times for transit users, and make transit more efficient, reliable, and help get more people out of their cars and into public transit."
Is this a good idea? Will folks yield to buses? Drivers are always reluctant to relinquish the right-of-way, but the right approach to public awareness and enforcement can change the way people drive. For example, drivers must always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but try crossing at a crosswalk in Washington DC without a stop light or stop sign (an insurance policy is recommended). Contrast the same situation with most cities in Massachusetts and one will find a different situation due to flashing lights at many crosswalks and hefty fines (which are actually enforced) for failing to yield.
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cs | 03:33 PM |
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Similar rules apply in Switzerland; the Post Bus always has right of way over all other road users. And they expect you to yield, and will run you off the road if you don't!
This is probably to do with their intergrated interconnecting timetables; it probably connects with two trains and seventeen other buses at the end of it's run, and can't afford be late because some selfish car driver won't give way to it.
In a manner of speaking, D.C. already has a "yield-to-bus" rule. It's similar to the unspoken rules of riding the metro -- stand right, walk left, etc. Buses in D.C. simply cut off all other drivers with the expectation that they will yield (and they do, although they often curse out the bus drivers).
An excellent idea, though, especially if it's enforced.
Does MD have a yield to bus rule? (one of the concepts not introduced in Texas Drivers' Ed courses)
