Road Rules Around the World

Getting Around in Different Cities

• Getting around in different cities and countries can be challenging, even crossing the road can be dangerous.

UK vs Australia

• In the UK, people drive on the left, similar to Australia.
• Some road signs in the UK are similar to those in Australia, while others are different.

Tokyo, Japan

• Tokyo is a massive city with a population of nearly 38 million people, compared to Australia's 23 million.
• Many road signs in Tokyo are in Japanese, but some are also in English.
• People in Tokyo are very patient when waiting to cross the road, waiting for the lights to change before crossing together.

Cross-Cultural Differences

• In the UK, people often cross the road wherever and whenever they can, unlike in Japan and the USA.
• In the USA, pedestrians must wait for the walk light before crossing, and some lights count down the seconds to zero.

Vocabulary Differences

• A pavement in the UK is called a footpath in Australia and a sidewalk in the US.
• Different cities have different names for their underground transportation systems:
  • London: Underground (or the Tube)
  • New York: Subway
  • Tokyo and Paris: Metro

London Underground

• The London Underground is the oldest underground transport system, starting in 1863 with one route and now having 11 lines and 270 stations.
• Its popularity inspired other cities to develop similar systems, with nearly 200 cities around the world now having undergrounds, subways, and metros.