How to cross the streets of Buenos Aires
Everytime I cross the road in Buenos Aires I get scared. I feel like a pin at the end of a bowling lane, with someone aiming for me with a big ball; except in Buenos Aires the ball is a car. Normally, I believe it is unsafe and rude to J-walk but in the past days I have changed my street habits. Like the natives, I now run through any colored light if there are no vehicles in sight.
Even if the pedestrian light says green, make sure that no cars are coming before crossing because the rules of the road in Buenos Aires is that there are none. Cars and buses can whip around corners at anytime . Yesterday, I came close to a near death experience. While crossing the street with two friends, a car flew out of nowhere and almost hit us. We dove for the pavement screaming, but people nearby only laughed. That drivers drive violently and are a danger to society is not new to Argentineans.
When my group takes a bus to the suburbs of Buenos Aires, our director Garciella is always alarmed for our safety when we near the street. It takes ten minutes to board the bus and finally I understand why. Its very easy to get hit.
While generally safe, some concerns I have heard about Buenos Aires are about it´s pickpocketers and economic problems; however, no attention has been given to crossing the streets. Buenos Aires might not have many people armed with guns, but they have individuals armed with cars. To me this is a life-threatening issue that travelers coming to Buenos Aires should be warned about .
My best advice for crossing the streets of the city is to take the lead of fellow pedestrians, they are expert street crossers.
September 23, 2008 @ 2:20 am
Ja. Unfortunately, you addapted to the crazy way of living with the traffic un BA. I’m from here, and I hate the traffic, traffic jam, pedestrians, car drivers, cab drivers, bus drivers. I dont use car, anymore, to get to my work, I prefer to be as in a tuna can, than getting bold, while driving here.Lucky for you, that you go back to normal traffic. I’m still hoping that this would change same day. Thats my intention.
April 6, 2007 @ 9:15 am
Its same here in India also. Our boys who join the army always console tham that if we remain in the middle of the crowd, we will never get killed in the war