Which country has the worst drivers?
By mipen2006
@mipen2006 (5528)
Australia
February 18, 2007 9:30pm CST
I've driven in about thirty different countries, and found difficult situations in more than one. I thought drivers in Rome were dreadful. However, the poeple using the roads here in Thailand are the worst I've experienced.
There is absolutely no respect for traffic laws, signals, lights, police, let alone any other road users.
Often you can be passed on both sides of your vehicle. And by this I mean the passing vehicles can both be going the same way as you, or both traveling in the opposite direction.
Traffic lights, mean nothing. Laws stating motor cyclists must wear helmets, mean nothing unless you think you will get caught. No more than two on a motorbike, means nothing, I'v seen five, and you see four every day. Driving on the left, means nothing, unless it'e more convenient. Motorcyclists are the worst offenders, but cars also treat the laws with contempt.
I was surprised when a teacher friend visited me recently and said it was worse in China. What's the worst place youve driven, or experienced?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
I've heard about the drivers in Asia genrally being bad but I do not have first hand experience, so I can't tell. The worst drivers I experienced were in Turkey. I personally witnessed at least one or two accidents every day I was there. The funny thing was that even though they broke all the rules, there was genuine surprise when the accident actually happened.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
Sounds very much like here. Besides not being surprissed, they don't seem to learn anything either!
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
Oh and Greeks are supposed to be very bad drivers too. I actually don't think they are BAD - they just don't follow the rules - but they are very good at anticipating the movements of other cars, squesziing through narrow streets with cars parked on either side and with millimetres to spare - and avoiding collisions in city centres - which I find amazing. However, it's when they get onto the highways that they speed and race around corners on cliffs, where most road accidents and deaths occur. Also, it was not mandatory to wear seatbelts until recently.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
I didn't drive in Turkey, so I can't comment, but I did drive in Greece, albeit forty years ago, and I can't remember any real traumas, so I rated them as average.
@girlontheside (152)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
I've been to Thailand and I do agree that they have some really bad drivers. However, having grown up in the Philippines, I was actually used to being surrounded by so many bad drivers as well. Traffic lights are followed though, however it isn't uncommon for some to drive past a red light. And it's true, there are a lot of motorcyclists who don't wear helmets and I've seen more than two people on a motorbike more than once. I've even seen kids riding on motorbikes, complete with backpacks on their backs on the way to school. Traffic is AWFUL in the Philippines, you can spend about two to four hours traveling to work each day. Plus, don't be surprised if drivers (especially jeepneys) immediately switch lanes without signalling or if they stop in the middle of the road to drop off passengers. Horrible, horrible, horrible, I know.
I'm not sure if the Philippines has the worst drivers, but they're clearly not some of the best.
1 person likes this
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
I've been to the Philippines, but didn't drive there. However I do remember a horrific taxi ride I had. I was in the front seat with three locals in the back. During the trip it started to pour. The windscreen wipers didn't work, so the driver wound down his window and worked his wiper manually. I couldn't see much, but it didn't deter him, and he didn't slow down. It was a nightmare.
@astroo13 (963)
• India
19 Feb 07
A couple of my brothers co workers from France had an experience they will never forget for their life. They had the privilege of being driven through the center of town during the peak traffic hours in India. They were on their edge of their seats all through the journey. But if we don't drive this way during the peak hours we will be still in the road for 3 to 4 hours. Almost every one does this. Even the traffic inspectors are doing these. So what can we say about common man. For any one planning to visit India please don't try to drive as soon as you reach here. Just look around. If you think you can handle this then only you should try this. We have no helmet rule here.Regards
