This blog is normally concerned with vehicle recovery and the viewpoint of the motorist, but even the most ardent car lover has to resort to the pavement at some point. And life on the pavement can be a stressful affair, especially when it comes to crossing the road.

But while we might not always appreciate it, in the UK we have it licked when it comes to crossing the road. Few other places in the world have the same respect for the zebra crossing; nearly all motorists stop at them when they see a pedestrian waiting to cross. Highly organised traffic lights, crossings (complete with beeps for blind people's dogs) and a firm dedication to ensuring there's always a pavement lining the street, makes Britain one of the best places to cross the road in the world.

Not so in all countries, however. Have you ever tried to cross the road in Delhi? If you're used to the comfort of British crossing systems, you could find yourself loitering on the pavement for a very long time - and that's if there is actually a pavement at all. Add to this the 'assertive' nature of Indian drivers and you have the recipe for one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world.

It's a similar story in many countries, including places like Cambodia and Vietnam. Crossing the road here can be seriously perilous - not to mention time consuming. Reaching the other side usually requires some tenacity, and you may have to cross lane by lane, which can put you worryingly close to cars, lorries and motorbikes that are blissfully unconcerned with speed limits or pedestrians.

So the next time that little green man appears, think yourself lucky you live in one of the world's premier road crossing nations.