STALLED BRRM,BOOM,ZOOM,AND DIRECTING TRAFFIC

A rather smart dark blue Audi sports car appeared round the opposite corner to the one I had just negotiated, and it came to an elegant sliding halt in the middle of the road. There followed a number of inelegant kangaroo jumps which did not get the occupants of the car very far.  

As cars came into view on the same side of the road, the emergency warning lights flashed, only to be turned off till the next car or two appeared.  It struck me that this manner of warning other motorists, was worryingly erratic.  After all, the driver was also supposed to be concentrating on getting the vehicle to start again.  The driver could, at the very least, have misjudged the speed of oncoming cars in the process.

So as not to embarrass the driver, who by now was getting some brrm, brrm, boom, sounds, which were healthier than the previous hiccups, I walked past the car and made as if to cross behind it, except that I did not.  Brrm, brrm, another two cars came into sight and the warning lights flashed again, and just a bit late.  However,  I had already stepped into the road and put the flat of my right palm out and up as a 'stop' sign.  Even if I say it myself, my signal looked very authoritative;  the two cars slowed and stopped.  Shortly after, a very healthy revving sound could be heard. Its engine bursting into life, the super-duper embarrassed Audi sports car zoomed off.   
  

I waved on the waiting traffic, and I went on my way.

                                      

 Le Droit ou Le Gauche... UNIQUELY DUAL-ING Á LA FRANCAISE

It's not a giggling matter if you are a French motorist caught up in an anarchic traffic argument between two mayors of adjacent towns, who both think they have sole rights to your right of way.
Both mayors decreed a particular street one-way for traffic, but in opposite directions. The panoply of the French State has had to intervene. The State has designated the street for two-way traffic!
All's well that's ends well......peut etre (Perhaps).