Thursday, July 13, 2006
all sorts of things to say about india...
to the point where I've started making a list of possible blog topics. I think today's will be the traffic.
After spending a week and a half here, I beginning to figure out that there is actually a system of sorts to driving. Some of the rules are as follows:
1) Honk if you want to pass someone. They will, in theory, move to the left so you can pass. (They drive on the left side of the road here.) This rule is sufficiently ingrained that all the trucks, taxis and autorickshaws have "Honk Please" painted on the back in all sorts of fun colors. Of course, this leads to a whole lot of honking and makes the driving experience somewhat noisy.
2) Lanes do not exist. If you want to get somewhere and there is a space, just go.
3) Rely on the people behind you not to hit you when you cut them off. This is a hugely important fact. As far as I can tell, cutting people off is the standard, and cars get into spaces I would never even try if I were driving a scooter, much less a car. But, the system does seem to work.
4) If you're a pedestrian and cars are going slowly, just walk in front of them. They will do their best to avoid hitting you. Don't rush either. You're not in a hurry.
5) Turn signals are for decoration.
6) Seat belts are optional. Most people don't seem to wear them.
7) Road rage does not happen. You don't curse at people or intentionally be aggressive with them (beyond the normal aggressiveness that is needed if you want to get anywhere.)
8) If there is no space for you to change lanes, try anyway. Eventually someone will let you in just to avoid hitting you.
9) Don't drive super fast, otherwise you wouldn't have any time to respond to the four cars that just merged in less than 6 inches from your bumper.
I'm glad I'm not the one driving! Amazingly enough, despite all of the chaos present in this system, I've only seen two accidents. Both minor. However, I do make sure to wear my seatbelt when it's actually there in the car.
Another update on life in India tomorrow. Perhaps the topic will be, clothing, in all its beautiful colors.
After spending a week and a half here, I beginning to figure out that there is actually a system of sorts to driving. Some of the rules are as follows:
1) Honk if you want to pass someone. They will, in theory, move to the left so you can pass. (They drive on the left side of the road here.) This rule is sufficiently ingrained that all the trucks, taxis and autorickshaws have "Honk Please" painted on the back in all sorts of fun colors. Of course, this leads to a whole lot of honking and makes the driving experience somewhat noisy.
2) Lanes do not exist. If you want to get somewhere and there is a space, just go.
3) Rely on the people behind you not to hit you when you cut them off. This is a hugely important fact. As far as I can tell, cutting people off is the standard, and cars get into spaces I would never even try if I were driving a scooter, much less a car. But, the system does seem to work.
4) If you're a pedestrian and cars are going slowly, just walk in front of them. They will do their best to avoid hitting you. Don't rush either. You're not in a hurry.
5) Turn signals are for decoration.
6) Seat belts are optional. Most people don't seem to wear them.
7) Road rage does not happen. You don't curse at people or intentionally be aggressive with them (beyond the normal aggressiveness that is needed if you want to get anywhere.)
8) If there is no space for you to change lanes, try anyway. Eventually someone will let you in just to avoid hitting you.
9) Don't drive super fast, otherwise you wouldn't have any time to respond to the four cars that just merged in less than 6 inches from your bumper.
I'm glad I'm not the one driving! Amazingly enough, despite all of the chaos present in this system, I've only seen two accidents. Both minor. However, I do make sure to wear my seatbelt when it's actually there in the car.
Another update on life in India tomorrow. Perhaps the topic will be, clothing, in all its beautiful colors.
# posted by Disease Cowgirl @ 12:13 PM 
