Traffic Lights

"I lived in Hanoi when they introduced traffic lights. The pre-lights system was wonderful, the cyclists and motorbikes all slowing down and politely weaving through each other. Each individual vehicle was like a drop of water - we functioned as a unit, not as separate entities. But one aggressive youth on a motorbike could throw that all off and force everyone else to come to a crashing halt. Then the motorbikes and general traffic increased and now it would be impossible without the signals. Yet there is something beautiful people can learn and experience without signals. It worked great when there were fewer vehicles as there was room to maneuver around the pedestrian. But the streets are too crowded for that now, and there is never a break in the flow of motorbikes turning or going straight."

- Debra Efroymson, letter to the editor, Carbusters