Brits Jaywalking in Spain
Jan 11, 2007 · Expatriator · 7 replies · 9607 views
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Hey all,
I read this BBC article about Brits jaywalking around the world (
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6251431.stm) and wondered how other Brits felt about jaywalking here in Spain. Particularly whether or not they've had any problems with the police.
I personally feel quite strongly, seemingly like the British, that jaywalking/crossing the street, is the pedestrian's responsibility to do so safely. Back in Canada it goes both ways: there are fines for jaywalking (not enforced as much as in the article however) and we are taught never to jaywalk as it's a horribly dangerous thing to do. As well, any cars that don't immediately stop for any pedestrian crossing the street, jaywalking or not, are fined heavily.
I guess I've been lucky in Spain as I tend to jaywalk everywhere I go. I love calles piedonales.
Jan 12, 2007 · SpainExpat member
Pedestrians in Spain are as bad as drivers in Spain... totally ignore crossings, cross whenever they feel like it and anywhere they feel like. When driving, you get used to watching out for them everywhere. Apparently in the North in the Basque Country last year, they started fining people for jaywalking, didn?t say whether people actually paid the fines.... if they started doing this on a regular basis everywhere, they?d make a fortune. Drivers don?t seem to respect pedestrian crossings and you certainly have to put one foot towards the crossing to test the water first... maybe drivers would be more careful if pedestrians were. Just because everyone does it, does it mean we have to follow suit ??? Worth thinking about.
Jan 20, 2007 · SpainExpat member
I have to say I drive with a great deal of caution because the town I live has a million crossings but has people wandering around in the middle of the road. Saying that we have the most clever dogs in the world cause they always cross the road on the crossings even without their owners!
The whole jaywalking thing, I thought that jaywalking was supposed to mean that you were walking in the middle of the road purposely obstructing traffic?
Jan 20, 2007 · SpainExpat member
I also drive with great respect for pedestrians but feel that they don?t always respect drivers, how many cross when the red man is showing....it also doesn?t help that the traffic light system in Spain is very confusing for everyone as when the green man is showing, it flashes amber, I know I sometimes get it wrong so others who have recently arrived must find it even worse, why can?t they just put it on red when pedestrians are crossing, so much easier. I agree that jaywalking is crossing where you shouldn?t but crossing when you shouldn?t is also considered to be wrong....the arguments could go on forever but I think that little patience on both sides would go a long way...
Jan 20, 2007 · SpainExpat member
Couldn't agree more but at the same time we left one country to take in anothers culture and if that means driving as well should we not just bite the bullet and live with it?
Jan 21, 2007 · Expatriator
I agree with Frank and he points out something that many of us forget in the first year of life in a new place: you can't change the system. No matter how right you think you are or how much better some system works back home, don't try to replicate it here outside of the home. You'll only end up frustrated.
In any case, I think one of the things I enjoy most about Spain is not having to own a car. Pedestrians should be rewarded for their efforts by having the right of way. That's not to say that if you're walking and you get hit that it's the car's fault; often pedestrians are just stupid about jumping out between parked cars for example.
I think I worry about getting hit by a scooter more anyway.
Jan 21, 2007 · SpainExpat member
Don't get me started on scooters...................lol