Traffic Laws

[ElQueso]

GS_Dirtboy and ElQueso have put down "rules" which sound kind of like Saudi Arabia and Dubai (only its 10 times worse in those countries than in Argentina) and so that might be the reason I am used to this insane way of driving.

Obviously, when it comes to Dubai you have more experience than me, although I was there for a couple of weeks back in '98 doing some work and had the use of a car. I don't remember the drivers there being as bad as here, but I do remember it not being one of my favorite places to drive.

India was probably the worst place I've driven in the world, with Argentina being second for me.

Out of:

• Brasil (1998 - 2001: a lot between Rio and Macae and in those cities)
• Venezuela (1996, only in Caracas)
• Paraguay (2007 - present: the whole country)
• Argentina (2007 - present: BA and many times from here through the north)
• Italy (1998, 1999: a little in Rome, Bologna, Ravena and between Ravena and Venice)
• Scotland (here and there from 1997 - 2000: mostly in Aberdeen, with two trips to Loch Ness. Tough for a Yank because everyone drives on the wrong side of the road!)
• Ivory Coast (1998: Abidjan city only)
• Angola (1999: Luanda only - and yeah, it was a bit crazy there, but not because of the drivers, mostly for the bomb craters and debris and Uzi-toting guards that went with us everywhere)
• Singapore (1999, 2000 - also drive on wrong side of road, but very orderly)
• India (1994 - drove around both Mumbai [Bombay at the time] and Channai [Madras at the time] - aside from all other craziness, watch out for pedestrians lifting their robes [saris for women, don't remember what the men's robes were called - mundu?] to squat near the road to take a...ahem...not to mention possible loose oxen.)
• Tunisia (1999: mostly around Sfax, but also drove some between Tunis and Sfax)
• Dubai (1998: city of Dubai only).

Edit: Forgot to add the US - almost all continental States, from 1977 to 2006.

 

[nicoenarg]

Oh yeah the Dubai of 1998 was heaven compared to now. Culturally and the driving. Of corse I was 13 back then and living in another craphole aka Saudi Arabia.

Argentina is actually miles better in every aspect except for financial and technological.

Obviously, when it comes to Dubai you have more experience than me, although I was there for a couple of weeks back in '98 doing some work and had the use of a car. I don't remember the drivers there being as bad as here, but I do remember it not being one of my favorite places to drive.

India was probably the worst place I've driven in the world, with Argentina being second for me.

Out of:

• Brasil (1998 - 2001: a lot between Rio and Macae and in those cities)
• Venezuela (1996, only in Caracas)
• Paraguay (2007 - present: the whole country)
• Argentina (2007 - present: BA and many times from here through the north)
• Italy (1998, 1999: a little in Rome, Bologna, Ravena and between Ravena and Venice)
• Scotland (here and there from 1997 - 2000: mostly in Aberdeen, with two trips to Loch Ness. Tough for a Yank because everyone drives on the wrong side of the road!)
• Ivory Coast (1998: Abidjan city only)
• Angola (1999: Luanda only - and yeah, it was a bit crazy there, but not because of the drivers, mostly for the bomb craters and debris and Uzi-toting guards that went with us everywhere)
• Singapore (1999, 2000 - also drive on wrong side of road, but very orderly)
• India (1994 - drove around both Mumbai [Bombay at the time] and Channai [Madras at the time] - aside from all other craziness, watch out for pedestrians lifting their robes [saris for women, don't remember what the men's robes were called - mundu?] to squat near the road to take a...ahem...not to mention possible loose oxen.)
• Tunisia (1999: mostly around Sfax, but also drove some between Tunis and Sfax)
• Dubai (1998: city of Dubai only).

Edit: Forgot to add the US - almost all continental States, from 1977 to 2006.

 

[coveredbridges]

Lane markers, stop signs, and traffic lights are amusing gestures in this part of Argentina (Salta). There are some rules. for example, if you are a pedestrian, learn to run like hell.

 

[Rich One]

Local car manufacturers should become more competitive by eliminating Blinkers, as they are not used, also painting lanes on freeways seems unnecessary.

 

[jeff1234]

Thanks for all of the very informative responses to my query. You have helped me to have a much better understanding of the rules of the road here.

I think it would help my chances of survival if I could also understand the mentality of the drivers who are aiming their cars at me when I cross the street.

So I asked a local psychiatrist friend 'what causes these drivers to drive so dangerously (dangerous to themselves and others)?'

She told me that one theory is that many people here are frequently late for appointments so they speed down the road trying to make up lost time. Eventually this has become the norm.

But I notice that here, in La Plata, there are very few traffic signs or lites so the municipalities must also prefer the free-for-all / road-warrior approach to traffic.

Like ElQueso I've been in traffic all over the world but never seen anything like the chaos here.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[Mark IV]

Make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage, especially if you bought a new car!

I bought a new 2010 Ford Ecosport(make sure you have a DNI before you buy a new one too, or you can't register it)about 2 years ago. I was then paying 150 pesos a month for insurance for Full coverage, so I thought. But after a friend read the fine print, it didn't cover replacing the car if someone else, who was at fault, didn't have insurance in an accident. So I got insurance that really pays for everything, including uninsured motorists and it is $270 pesos a month. Cover your investment in a car. Mark IV