The Syrian Siren
In USA the roads are made wide, I am not sure of it, but it seems as if they had a prediction for the future needs of cars and trucks, etc...
When a police car or an ambulance or a fire truck tries to pass, they turn on a siren and everyone in front of them would sway to the curbs and stop, or to the rightmost lane. Alternatively a rescue squad may take the shoulder way in a crowded street. To sum up no one stands in their way while they are trying to do their job.
In Damascus these cars have a different kind of siren, in addition to the first one mentioned above (the "وي وي وي") and it is the... ready?? The loudspeaker!!!
The first time I couldn't believe my ears, an ambulance, or a tow truck would start its siren and then as everyone starts honking to the car in front of them, the driver loses patience and starts his own warning sound....
"بعد قدام من عندك"
"تحرك لشوف، زيح طريق"
"انت اللي قدام امشي بسرعة"
"أسّع ولا، أسّع"
And so forth... I can't say that this is much efficient but I think is a practical simulation of the "herd" manner people are used to be treated occasionally :-P
I can only say: poor guys those who are in trouble and waiting for rescue.
posted by Bassam @ 9:10 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
It is not just that we are polite (which we aren't as a rule on the road). There is a law requiring you to pull to the side of the road to allow emergency vehicles to pass and not enter an intersection if you hear sirens until they have passed.
I forgot to sign my name
Felicia
At least they warn you! in Holland the police and ambulance just drive over the sidewalk in the middle of the city! Risking the lives of moms walking their kids to school or people taking their dog for a stroll.
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