Interesting tidbit about drivers in China...

[DesignDawg]

Hey all,

Last Thursday, I offered to give a ride across campus to a graduate student here direct from China. He has only been here a week or two (in the States, that is), and we were talking about him getting a car soon. He said he was really surprised to come here and see that Americans actually obey traffic rules, and found it hard to imagine ever getting into a wreck here, because everyone drives coreectly. Now, of course, I told him that I didn't really think people drive all that well, and it's REALLY NOT that hard to get into a wreck here, but he said that in China, people follow NO RULES whatsoever. He said they drive recklessly, with no regard for any other cars, people, obstacles, signs, signals, or lights. Basically, it's just a free-for-all over there. This is something I didn't know. When you think about it, yeah, some people drive aggressively, and don't use blinkers, run the occasional sign or light here and there, but for the most part, the traffic laws are obeyed here. He says this is NOT tha case with drivers in China. Weird. I guess maybe there's just not as many traffic cops or laws to enforce it over there? BTW, he says he's been driving in China for 6 years, so I trust he has some experience behind the wheel.


Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[AndyHui]

I would have to agree with you there. Drivers ignore lights, signs, and just about any other form of road traffic signalling with the single-minded purpose of simply "getting there".

Of course, with all the bicycles around, it doesn't make things easier either.

 

[BiggieN]

must be rural china, because in the big city, you can't even drive anywhere during rush hour because the streets are packd with people, on bikes and walking.

 

[DesignDawg]

Weird. I don't think I would make it there.

Ricky
DesignDawg

 

[The Wildcard]

What's worse is that like in Hong Kong and i suspect in other asian countries, it's really corrupt when it comes to passing driving tests and stuff. Like you have to bribe the guy who gives you the driving test. if you don't, he'll make it really hard for you to pass or he might even just flunk you for hte hell of it.

 

[AndyHui]

The_Wildcard: that isn't the case here in Hong Kong any more.

 

[Wedesdo]

that's partically true. they still have to obey the rules in the really big cities (LOTS of police), but in the country and smaller town, it's a FREE FOR ALL!

 

[Napalm381]

When I was in Beijing, the driving skills of taxi drivers ranged from american-like to suicidal, with the suicide factor inversely proportional to the cost of the taxi

 

[ElFenix]

they do that in every country i've been to excepting the US, canada, the UK, and maybe mexico. and singapore, since thats a deadly offense, i think.

 

[Dark4ng3l]

Here in Quebec, Canada(the french part for those of you who never went to school) like 5% of the population drive like they should. They use no blinkers, they always go faster than the limit(about 20 kilometers/hour faster). It's s bad that Quebec is the only place that I know of where it is illegal to turn right on a red light.

 

[The Stigenator]

humm.. sounds like home.

Try driving in Calcutta (now: Kolkata), or maybe Bombay(now: Mumbai)
or even Bangalore..

Its bad. I drove this time on vacation, but I had a hard time driving smoothly in a car. A two wheeler.. well that was easier..
however in India they too dont obey rules. The indian highways are even worse.

Dusk falls and its a nightmare. Indian drivers believe that god will light the way, hence no need to turn on the head lights at night.

On top, the indian driving test.. Dont even get there. As Jeremy Clarkson said in "Motorworld" Series. "Even in Bombay, the driving test is a joke. Off all the streets, they have to pick an open one with no traffic. You get into the car, drive 100 meters, and your good. You now have a licence to drive in India." (Video shows a heavy traffic with a round robin on its two wheels in the middle of traffic).

Actually Bangkok is equally bad. I drove there this time, felt it pretty bad this time.