Tag: traffic lights

South African Road Etiquette

M's Adventures
Cattle roam freely.

When driving in South Africa, it’s not just the baboons one has to think about.

There is also a “abnormal/le” sign that I didn’t managed to snap.

First, they drive on the British/Japanese side of the road so the driver is on the right side of the car. Using stick shift/manual with their left hand (you can rent an automatic but it is more expensive).

This I loved. It was obvious where you were going.

When renting a car, make sure to get a bigger one as most rental cars are tiny. Ask for automatic if you need that. And get all the extra insurance as they are extremely picky about dings and scratches. When dropping off, don’t worry too much about filing up the tank (just pay the extra – it won’t be as expensive as in the USA). The gas prices are controlled by the government.

Also lovely. Where there is a tree with shade, you can find community.

As for etiquette, when on the road, drive on the shoulder if you want to let the other cars pass you.

Most importantly, if other cars let you pass them, make sure to thank them by putting on your hazard lights for a quick second after you have passed.

Watch out for when there are folks doing this. I don’t know what it was.

Try and keep small change (100 rand) for the parking “guards” who watch out for your car when you go into a store or restaurant.

One of the car guards.

Shesha is the term for express lane.

Shesha line sign.

Be prepared for sights you have never seen before.

Driving in the big cities is fierce just like anywhere else.

And some you have.

Very blurry but you can see that he is selling brooms.

There are pit stops along the highways, but some are far from each other. Use online maps to figure out where to stop. Many of the stops we went to had their toilets out of service and had portapotties outside. These were surprisingly clean. They even had sinks with running water.

Driving while eating chicken wings. Is that legal?

Traffic in Lima – Is it the Worst?

M's Adventures

I’ve heard lots of people tell me that Lima has the worst traffic… but then, Cairo, Dhaka, Bangkok, Delhi, LA, Santo Domingo, and a few others all claim that title. Even in Port of Spain, they claim to have the worst. I was inclined to say that Dhaka still holds the title. But, there are certain elements to Lima traffic that make it a contender — fear and boredom. In almost all cities with bad traffic, the “me first” aggression is the only way to get ahead, and in Lima, this is readily visible every time you step outside. During rush hour, the sheer numbers of cars all trying to go left from a right lane, or right from a left lane, or through red lights, is normal. There are many traffic cops and they will often override the traffic lights with their light sabers and whistles. The chances of getting in a traffic accident are high.

7t0oa9FNRs9oLFuAChnMfVsSt3iVJCV5USRD5s4kc3EmS_GwYFGNMpi8XabFDV7xWJ-6DfaTd0mt8XeZ4G4qN2JrivKtRwOAqEBxONsOyOuLac9EfDtw_mX9NUNz9kCkMs0SPr2GEyyIt4hGjZOqZktk3V2sOe0IRXIXoD5wKvGXILRm1mAx2BsAoPThen there’s the boredom. The hours spent in traffic (the painting above shows a day with light traffic). It can take an hour to go five miles. Apparently, Lima has grown as a city (9.5 million and counting) with commercial growth in the urban areas instead of expanding outwards. There is a business area to the south of the city but that seems to be it. Everyone else is commuting in to the city. When I say that it’s boring, I mean only if you get carsick from using your smart phone. Otherwise, if you keep your phone out of sight, and keep your wits about you, then…also, the traffic sights are not as interesting here. No camels, colorful rickshaws, overloaded carts, cattle, beggars, and so on. Just cars ad libitum. Ha.