Some say China has the most frightening traffic in the world, though the traffic disorder is common among developing countries. Personally I have no objection to this claim.

But before we start critising someone, we should take a closer look at how and why this is happening.

Imagine you are standing on the pavement from one side of the crossing, you have a red light ahead with 60-second countdown.For the first 40 seconds, everyone else is waiting patiently and so are you. In the last twenty seconds, the red light begins flashing and your heart starts pounding more quickly.Glancing sideways, you sense the restlessness among the crowds who look poised to cross, but they are not moving yet, "Not yet" you tell yourself. Then the final 10 seconds come when the light turns to yellow and the traffic begins to slow down.Looking around, people start moving, yet there are still 5 seconds to go. "To go or not to go"you ask yourself.The moving crowd seems to give you the answer, "just follow the crowd"."Ok", you reassure yourself, "follow the major trend, or I will look like a fool".And then you step out.

That's one small step for a man, one giant risk for your life.But you already knew that, it's just the people around you whose actions affect you, dry up your last drop of patience and encourage you to make your first step

Why can't you wait for just a few more seconds? "Because others don't."This explaination doesn't seem to be able to hold water, but you should admit sometimes it is more powerful than you can imagine. 

No one wants to look like a different species who divorce themself from the crowd.

Even expats who come and live in China for long enough will change their "good" habits and become as skillful as Chinese people are in weaving across the street. For those newcomers, though, it can be a little scary.My old American friend, who marries a Chinese wife, lock his sweaty hand closely with her wife's everytime they go to the supermarket on the other side of the road.

Since the overall road condition and people's habits are set, how are we going to establish a  more friendly traffic order?

I believe it should first start from the government. Heavier punishments should be laid down and enforced so that no one can afford a second time and, the most important of all, no one can be exempted however high status you have. Nationwide campaigns should be conducted to educate the public not only the danger but also their responsibility for the road safety.Encouragement should be given to those who set good examples for their fellow citizens through the media.

The point is to creat a measurable influence and an enormous impact on people so as to raise their awareness of the road safety so that a traffic-safety-conscious "crowd" can be formulated to influence the rest of the society.

I should admit, it is a hugh project since China boasts a huge population and is saddled with many development projects and problems that should be given priority to.

Yet I think the Chinese traffic problem is a microcosm of the entire Chinese society.The follow-the-crowd mindsets are ubiquitous in every field and layer of social life.If the traffic problem can be properly and efficiently settled, many similar problems can be solved.