alt Hacker NewsThe common theme for the discussed symbols is consideration for others.
In New Zealand we require a yellow [L] sign on cars with learner drivers (with learners drivers licenses). However I get the impression that other drivers are less considerate around a car displaying the [L] sign.
I suspect New Zealanders are generally far less considerate than Japanese. Politeness avoids a trillion sharp edges.
We also seem to be copying some of the US predilection of arsehole Ute (pickup) drivers.
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> However I get the impression that other drivers are less considerate around a car displaying the [L] sign.
On a related theme - I have found when driving in the North Eastern US, when people put on their turn signal, other drivers will often speed up and close the gap rather than giving them space to merge.
I didn't find that to the case in Australia, as someone who had L's for far longer than is standard.
Mostly it meant that people gave you a wide berth, as learner drivers are unpredictable at times. So basically, what the sign intends.
It surprises me to hear that about NZ? As I think of NZ, as our friendlier cousin.
Just goes to show that our experiences are always hyperlocalised, and it's hard to actually make generalisations without actual data.
> Politeness avoids a trillion sharp edges.
i've never seen that before, and what a great phrase!
Also, i'm in the US and don't know why this exists, but recently see this all over.
https://www.liftedtrucks.comThat's nuts. I have seen a car in my city with a sticker that says:
NEW DRIVER
I'm freaking trying!!
There has been an explosion of “student driver” stickers here in the SF Bay Area. It’s completely voluntary, and most the vehicles appear to be driven by people in their 30s.
Also in the UK and Aus. It's bizarre that a sign saying "I'm learning, be kind" encourages some people to monster you, follow you swearing, generally hassle you.
(33 years ago, still in my memory)
It's as if they think it means HTFU and then go to hazing.
Sometimes referred to as the loser plate, at least when I was growing up.
Bullying a car displaying any of the symbols displayed in the article is a ticketable offense in Japan*
*I've never seen or heard of someone getting a ticket for merely inconsiderate driving, but it's there in the traffic law