Traffic Lights Lebanese Style

I'm not sure how things were more than 30 years ago, before the war in Lebanon. But we never saw a working traffic light in Beirut until around 1997, when they started reinstalling them. As a result, many drivers often burn red lights, not because they don't want to respect them, but because they don't notice them! they were never accustomed to them and so somehow, their brain doesn't react to them.

Personally I pay attention to the lights, and I try to respect them as much as I can. Well... unless I have to avoid an accident!

Very few Lebanese drivers respect them dutifully. Other drivers don't even want to acknowledge them. Red or green, they just go forth without bothering to check the light. They even sound their horn angrily if you happen to stop at a red light and you're blocking their way.

It happened to me many times! In these cases, either I go on to avoid being insulted, or I try to leave enough space to pass for those in a rush or those not willing to be delayed by a "stupid" red light.

There is another "funny" thing about these road signs in Lebanon. Usually, traffic lights are installed so the traffic is regulated automatically and seamlessly. But, in Lebanon, we often see a policeman stationed at a crossroad where there are working traffic lights! The policeman directs the cars himself, while the lights change independently, like some fancy Christmas-tree decoration lights!

I've been in many European and north American cities, and I've witnessed how Lebanese abroad respect the traffic lights and all other road signs.

Why do we have to drive differently in our own country?

Is it only the fear of getting a ticket that will force us to follow the rules?

Isn't the respect for others' safety - and ours of course - a valid reason and enough motivation?

Don't we learn from the many and often deadly traffic accidents?

Who knows?!

We'll have to wait and see...