Give Way

by Melinda Smith

The  ‘Give Way’ signs in Derry are equivalent to ‘Yield’ signs I am used to seeing back in Washington State. Both signs are traffic signals intended for vehicles to take notice when entering into a traffic way.

For me personally, the two signals elicit different reactive responses. The ‘Yield’ sign is a pro-ego trip approach to traffic. One in which I am going to yield to traffic only if I have to, and in most cases I am going to offensively drive to get ahead of any traffic pattern. On the other hand, the ‘Give Way’ sign conjures up a selfless approach to traffic. It implies a relationship, and others are involved. There is a responsibility to provide space for others.

The two signs are equivalently upside down triangles with cautionary red boarder.  There are 3 corners on a triangle. I think of the top two corners of these signs as two different perspectives from a traffic standpoint. The third point, or the bottom corner of the sign is the intended direction. Both parties want to travel in the exact same direction, but they are coming from two different vantage points.

You can achieve the exact same goal with both signs. I suppose I take pause on the fact that I have choice in my journey, en route to my destination. One sign seems a bit more destination focused, and one sign seems a bit more journey focused. In both cases, you end up in the exact same spot.

As I go for my run today, I am on a pro-ego trip. I am weaving in and out of people in order to get my run done, get some cash, take a shower, finish up my blog post and go out with my friends. As I am darting in and out of people on a Saturday afternoon, an Irish gent sees me, he steps back, and gestures with his arm as if to provide me space to continue my path of travel on my journey.