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Driving in NZ
sucks
More than 95% of
drivers in Kabul don't have driving licenses. There are only two
traffic lights in the Afghanistan capital which is the congested
home to about 1 million people - and no enforced road rules. Drivers
may choose to drive on the left or the right, whichever is
convenient. (Quote NZ Herald 6th Oct) This is true, I’ve
been there – and it started me reminiscing.
Two lane roads in many Chinese cities carry as many as 5 lanes of
traffic. Sometimes there are 3 lanes in one direction with 2 in the
other - sometimes there are 3 in the other direction. One never
knows until out in the traffic. It’s very stimulating to one moment
being in a stream of traffic heading (say) north then suddenly
finding yourself at the head of that stream facing another heading
south. Drivers, many who don't have licenses or any training, work
out the opportunities as they go. Astonishingly, the traffic moves
very quickly - much quicker than (say) Auckland where most drivers
are patent enough to endure the journey made slow by poor planning
and pansy driving.
Recently in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, my wife and I were
involved in a journey on a 2 way country road where 5 lanes of
traffic drove at astonishing speed in one direction for over 40km to
a huge sporting event - while a single lane of opposing traffic
treaded through the center from the opposite direction. Passing was
constant. As the outside cars moved onto the dirt road edge to
overtake the ones behind and inside them accelerated into the space
left by the outer vehicle. Attitude is everything, speed is
admired. Nerve-wracking for us, but the locals loved it. Mongolians
drive their cars like they have for centuries ridden their horses -
furiously.
The main street of Moscow has a 6 lane road down the center with
parking along the side. Everytime our driver took us down that road
we experienced speeds of over 140kph - our driver was gutted because
his car was too slow to keep up with the majority. Exiting a car
parking space on the side required split second timing and full
acceleration while ignoring the blaring horns. Drivers do live in
fear of the Police who have the power to impose instant fines
(that’s how they are paid) but they consider their best line of
defense is to go as fast as possible, never look at the cop and
don't stop.
Indians and many other Asians have a fatalistic attitude to their
life and their driving. Their religion conditions them to the
attitude that God has predestined when it is their turn to die. Up
to that moment they are invincible. As a result they do not consider
risk. If it is convenient to pass on a blind bend then they do so.
If they live, they shrug and explain that “God is not wanting them
yet”. As a result driving in the Indian sub-continent is full of
surprises.
Even 'civilized' cities such as Paris enjoy a reputation for keeping
the traffic flowing. Navigating the Champs Elyees and the Arc de
Triomphe or any one of another dozen huge intersections in Paris
requires considerable fortitude. First timers experience brain
overload as cars career towards them from every direction while
others swerve across their bows without warning - all tooting
furiously. It's fantastic.
A few years ago in Taipei I experienced a Taxi journey during which
a motor-scooter carrying 3 people overtook us in a one-way street.
My driver was incensed so he accelerated to maintain the advantage.
The front passenger on the scooter grabbed the Taxi wing mirror to
maintain position. My driver leaned out the window and beat the
bikers around the ears with a rolled up newspaper. All this occurred
at about 60kph. It became even more exciting as we neared the
intersection where we had to turn because the street became one way
from the other direction and vehicles were headed for us at similar
speeds. My taxi, still in tandem with the scooter took the corner
with barely a reduction in speed, split to pass a couple of
cyclists, then maintained their drag race while screaming
obscenities at each other. Their journey would have been a very
satisfying and tension relieving experience. It certainly made my
day.
In my view Cairo
is the worlds best example of traffic management. There is none. The
kerbs are made very high to stop cars and trucks driving on the
footpaths. This leaves the paths free for motorcycles. Un-indicated
U-turns are wonderful to watch. So are intersections where everyone
disregards the lights. J-walking is an art. Tourists are requested
to ask a policeman to stop the traffic. It’s likely to save their
life.
Headlights are
left off at nights so they will become effective flashers
reinforcing the horn. A few years ago the government in its wisdom,
made lots of rules very similar to our own. The drivers of Cairo
looked at the new rules, laughed and burnt every copy they could
find. Then they continued to drive as they always had. Furiously.
They miss each other by millimeters – but they do miss. The accident
rate in Cairo, per head of population, is lower than in Auckland and
probably than in most ‘civilised’ cities. It has to be. The instant
penalty for misjudgment is likely to be dispensed on the spot and
probably very harsh.
Cyclists here in
NZ cause me huge anxiety. They are the most venerable people on the
road risking death at any moment – but they act as though they own
the place. In all really congested societies the cyclists are
extremely skilled – and they treat larger, faster vehicles with the
respect they deserve. To see an often elderly cyclist weaving
through traffic, across intersections and dodging other bicycles is
pure live entertainment. They seemingly have 360 degree vision,
superb reflexes and astonishing judgement. A few Auckland Cycle
Couriers can do it but they are discouraged and treated like
cockroaches.
Car pooling has
its advantages but motor scooter pooling is much better. Most
travelers to Asian cities will have seen whole families on a single
scooter. The best I have observed was 7 people packed 3 high on a
125cc Suzuki. It was arguably the most energy efficient transport
that has ever contributed to reducing urban congestion. There were
certainly no crash helmets or protective clothing. These were
replaced with skill, trust and respect for other traffic – all
things missing in our ‘civilized’ roading environment. I have no
doubt this family were very aware that should they crash someone was
likely to suffer or die. Here on the other hand we believe in
invincibility – that’s little different from the fatalistic Hindu
attitude.
The rules in our country are made by killjoys, do-gooders and people
who know what is best for us. They delight in punishing everyone for
doing anything they personally believe is bad. Astonishingly they
love to punish themselves as well – and feel good about it. That’s
masochistic. They target the most useful object on the planet and
dream up reasons to convince everyone it’s the most dastardly
scourge to mankind ever invented. It’s bizarre. It’s rules that are
slowly but surely killing the human race.
Most of the
driving world operates on the principle that one watches where you
are going and always concentrates on the vehicles ahead. It works
wonderfully well. Here in New Zealand we spend half our driving
life looking in the rear vision, indicating and generally wondering
what the hell every one around us is doing. This is a stupid waste
of mental computing effort. By watching the vehicle in front and
driving through the opportunities that present as fast as possible
people are not on the roads for any longer than necessary.
All the really congested cities of the world would grind to a
permanent halt if they drove like we do. Scared. We are in fear of
ourselves, other drivers, the police and as a result fail to take a
journey without it being a distressing experience. Give me the
uncivilized driving code every time ! Driving in the 3rd
world is exciting. Rather than end the day thinking how tired and
miserable we are, after a challenging drive one would celebrate the
day by saying, “It’s great to be alive”.
Maurice O’Reilly |
