Cars...Traffic....

Each country has their own set of driving rules. Korea is no different. The most important thing to learn is that pedestrians don't have the right of way, even if there is a crosswalk. So don't think that the car is going to stop for you. Yesterday, I saw boy nearly get run over while crossing the street (The driver was in the wrong because the "walk" sign was on.) The driver must not have been paying attention to nearly hit the boy. Everyone patiently waits for the pedestrian light they cross the street. I have not seen anyone try to cross traffic without it or jaywalk.

The smaller intersections have a blinking yellow light instead of a full traffic light. I think drivers are supposed to treat it like a stop sign or a proceed with caution. However, most drivers just zoom through while barely looking. It makes crossing the street very difficult especially in the mornings.






Another characteristics of residential streets are the speed bumps. But unlike the ones that we find in the shopping center parking lot they are flattened out so the car will drive over it more smoothly.







Koreans will make any location a parking spot. It can be on the sidewalk... along the imaginary curbline (see pic).... But at the same time some cars will have a sticker posted on their dashboard with their cell number in case someone needs to call them to ask them to move their car for whatever reason.