Last week in Bilkent News, Murat Han cautioned us to pay attention to university traffic regulations and to beware, in particular, of the new sanctions for illegal parking. If you don't want to suffer the inconvenience and expense of having your vehicle clamped, then be careful where you park! Clearly, good advice, but then I began to think about it. The idea that one shouldn't park illegally because one might be inconvenienced was surely missing the point. No-parking zones exist where parking would either inconvenience others or put them at risk. Surely, we should obey traffic regulations (and most other laws for that matter), not because we might be punished if we don't, but simply out of consideration for other people. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" as the old adage goes.

Regrettably, over the years, Bilkent students have been involved in many tragic accidents. I am certain that most of them could have been avoided if only drivers had shown a little more patience, respect and consideration for others, pedestrians, passengers and other drivers alike.

So, what shocking events unfolded as my daughter and I attempted to cross the road? Well, amazingly, the oncoming car stopped and waited for us to get safely across! The driver was thinking, not of himself, but of us. I believe his courtesy in waiting for us to cross the road should be a lesson to us all and urge everyone to follow his example. Abide by the traffic regulations out of respect for others and help make Bilkent and Turkey a safer place. The driver, incidentally, was none other than Ali Dogramacı!