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> However, in Oslo, the only thing that doesn't stop for pedestrians is trams. I don't know why. Same thing in Amsterdam, although the stopping distance seems

> However, in Oslo, the only thing that doesn't stop for pedestrians is trams. I don't know why. Same thing in Amsterdam, although the stopping distance seems fairly short. I think it has mostly to do with minimizing interruptions and being relatively infrequent. And taxis also never stop, but they don’t seem to stop for anything ever.

sushibowl 8y ago
Trams get the highest priority on Amsterdam roads, and that is because they are on rails. It means their options to avoid accidents are extremely limited: they cannot avoid obstacles, only adjust their speed. You are right about taxis, I'm pretty sure they don't actually have breaks. I would also add bicycles to this list, they mostly ignore traffic laws in Amsterdam.
- avar 8y ago
  I don't believe that legally they follow any different traffic laws, and they will usually yield for you if they're turning into your lane, and should yield whenever a car would (subject to custom signage for the tram etc.). But in practice they operate under "Bitch, I'm a tram!" rules, and you'll need to be really assertive if you're going to get them to yield when they legally should, but the same goes for taxis.
  - Luc 8y ago
    No, that doesn't sound right. Trams have priority over cars, unless you're on a road with priority and they're arriving at a crossing with this road. Look up 'voorrangsregel tram' or 'rechtdoorregel tram'.
    - avar 8y ago
      Sorry, to clarify (and I may be wrong). I'm talking about situations where the tram acts contrary to traffic signs. Per my (translated) reading of the law[1] (article 15, subsection 1 & 2) trams only take priority over the "priority to the right" rule, but not other posted traffic signs. So for example [2] is an intersection where I've often seen the tram go past a yield sign and cut off traffic on the left. 1. http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0004825/2018-07-01 http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0004825/2018-07-01 2. https://goo.gl/RHVfpi https://goo.gl/RHVfpi
avar 8y ago
This isn't the case in Amsterdam, bicycles and cars will stop for you you or weave around you (depending on the case) if you're on a crosswalk. What they aren't going to do is stop for you just because you're standing on the side of the road by a crosswalk and you vaguely look like you might possibly maybe intend to cross the street. With the amount of tourists in the city that's only going to result in a deadlock (particularly on a bicycle) where you're waiting for them to go, and they're waiting for you. Just start walking across the crosswalk in a predictable manner and maintain your course and heading. It works.

sushibowl 8y ago

Trams get the highest priority on Amsterdam roads, and that is because they are on rails. It means their options to avoid accidents are extremely limited: they cannot avoid obstacles, only adjust their speed. You are right about taxis, I'm pretty sure they don't actually have breaks. I would also add bicycles to this list, they mostly ignore traffic laws in Amsterdam.

avar 8y ago
I don't believe that legally they follow any different traffic laws, and they will usually yield for you if they're turning into your lane, and should yield whenever a car would (subject to custom signage for the tram etc.). But in practice they operate under "Bitch, I'm a tram!" rules, and you'll need to be really assertive if you're going to get them to yield when they legally should, but the same goes for taxis.
- Luc 8y ago
  No, that doesn't sound right. Trams have priority over cars, unless you're on a road with priority and they're arriving at a crossing with this road. Look up 'voorrangsregel tram' or 'rechtdoorregel tram'.
  - avar 8y ago
    Sorry, to clarify (and I may be wrong). I'm talking about situations where the tram acts contrary to traffic signs. Per my (translated) reading of the law[1] (article 15, subsection 1 & 2) trams only take priority over the "priority to the right" rule, but not other posted traffic signs. So for example [2] is an intersection where I've often seen the tram go past a yield sign and cut off traffic on the left. 1. http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0004825/2018-07-01 http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0004825/2018-07-01 2. https://goo.gl/RHVfpi https://goo.gl/RHVfpi

avar 8y ago

This isn't the case in Amsterdam, bicycles and cars will stop for you you or weave around you (depending on the case) if you're on a crosswalk. What they aren't going to do is stop for you just because you're standing on the side of the road by a crosswalk and you vaguely look like you might possibly maybe intend to cross the street. With the amount of tourists in the city that's only going to result in a deadlock (particularly on a bicycle) where you're waiting for them to go, and they're waiting for you. Just start walking across the crosswalk in a predictable manner and maintain your course and heading. It works.