h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is a very good article for potential visitors to Calgary, I would, however; like to elucidate on a couple of points to prevent unsuspecting visitors to Calgary thinking that they can just step out into the road. A coming-together between an 18-wheel Mack semi and a pedestrian (or anything else for that matter) would not be a pretty sight.

Most motorists in Calgary are not 'extremely tolerant' to pedestrians, nor do pedestrians 'wander straight into the road without checking' The Calgary city traffic system is set up with crosswalks at each intersection. Pedestrians have the right of way when the 'WALK' light is showing, and therefore step into the street immediately the light changes. The converse is that, regardless of the fact that there may be no traffic to be seen for at least a quarter of a mile in any direction, Calgary pedestrians will stand at the 'DON'T WAlK' sign and wait patiently for the light to change to 'WALK'--- even when it is minus 30 degrees !!

This high degree of training is instilled by 'Calgary's Finest', the men in blue, who, when not in Robin's Donuts, will occasionally lurk close to an intersection waiting for a jay walker, on whom they can impose a suitable fine. Any motorist hitting a pedestrian who is crossing with the 'WALK' light is almost always guilty. This contributes greatly to any tolerance shown by motorists.

The main impact of this system is for pedestrians to completely throttle the traffic flow during the city rush-hour, or during the lunch hour. Motorists will wait the prescribed eternity (or at least it feels like it) and on getting the long awaited green light will attempt to make a turn. Not so fast however; pedestrians now have the right of way on the street or avenue that they are trying to enter and so the motorist must wait. As there are usually a lot of pedestrians, carefully spaced out so that they occupy the crosswalk for the complete duration of the 'WALK' light, this wait lasts until the light goes red again. At this point the first of the many waiting motorists gets through and the process starts over.

During these interminable waits at traffic signals a driver can at least sit and ruminate on the 'Udderly Art' exhibits dotted around the downtowm core !!