It’s a well-regarded fact that in the confines of Brown University, traffic signals are generally considered to be little more than suggestions. As a freshman, I haven’t been a pedestrian here long, but I think the number of traffic rules I’ve broken in the past month should be enough to put me away as a dangerous Chronic Signal Violator. My parents probably wouldn’t even recognize me.
I don’t think I’ve waited for a “walk” signal at a traffic light since the day I got here, and honestly, I find my newfound flippancy for the law to be rather empowering. Judging from the barrage of middle fingers and honking horns I’ve received from Providence drivers, though, I’d say they disagree. So out of curiosity and longing for the simpler, less-badass life I once lived, I decided to go a full day without breaking a single traffic law.
The first thing I noticed was that the drivers were as put off by my antics as I was. I suppose they were so used to stopping for pedestrians, and so sure that even a small accident would result in paying my college tuition, that they just didn’t bother to do more than prepare a rude gesture for when I cut across the street. When I simply waved them along, indicating that I was a good, law-fearing young lady, I received goggling stares. They treated me as if I were a strange zoo animal under a sign: “Actual Traffic Sign Abider. DO NOT PROVOKE.” At one point, I actually got honked at.
Honk if I do, honk if I don’t.
And then I was late to class. Every class. And evidently, the excuse, “I was following the law today,” was not good enough to sway my disapproving professors, who didn’t appreciate my attempts at being a good citizen.
By the end of the day, my patience was running thin. I crossed at crosswalks instead of cutting through roads. I refused to cross until prompted by the “walk” signal, even if there were no cars coming. I even clicked the little buzzer at the corner of every intersection when I wanted to cross. For all my effort, I had expected a couple thank you’s, or a warm feeling in my chest, or at least some form of spiritual enlightenment.
Nope.
So I ruined my streak on the way home from the SciLi. A red light. A hand signal for pedestrians to stop. I crossed that street like a proper criminal.
And it felt great.
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