TRAFFIC: Drivers are strict observers of rules

People walk through a market in Franceville on January 17, 2017, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Gabon. / AFP PHOTO /

One of the most intriguing things I have noticed is that drivers here observe traffic rules to the letter. No matter the time of the day or whether one is alone on the road, so long as the red light is on, they stop. Quite impressive. Hardly will you get such discipline from most drivers in the world, worse, back home.

Patience is a virtue they exercise most of the time. There is no blaring of car horns when the amber light turns green and it is time to go.

No, they wait patiently and file through the junctions one after the other. Wow. Just like in the movies; I tell myself, as I recall how we pretend to be in such hurry all the time, yet we end up in ditches or on top of roundabouts.