Wednesday 22 November 2006

Driving - The Capitulation

It's been one week. How has my driving changed?

  • I assume the minimum speed limit everywhere is 100 km/h.
  • I’m fifteen rows back at the traffic lights and they go green. I immediately beep my horn.
  • At traffic lights, six inches is the maximum gap between my car and the car in front.
  • I suddenly realise I need to turn left. I turn left from the far right lane whilst beeping my horn.
  • The slow lane is the middle lane, the overtaking lane is the left lane, and the alternative overtaking lane is the right lane. The “I’m in a hurry today” overtaking lane is the hard shoulder.
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5 comments:

  1. Anonymous8 December 2006 at 04:49:00 GMT+3

    You've compiled a very usefull list ..may I suggest a title:"Learn How to Drive: Saudi Style"

    I am a Saudi, and everytime I think about driving habits of Saudis I conclude to this:
    Either they think ther are actually inside a Video Game,
    OR
    They think they are inside a video game!!

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  2. Margrave8 December 2006 at 12:25:00 GMT+3

    ha ha! I like the new title and you are right, they DO drive like it's just a video game. They certainly don't seem to realise that they are putting their (and our!) lives at risk.
    I know that I subconsiously prepare myself when I am about to leave work and drive home. It's almost like getting ready to go to war!
    Safe driving!

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  3. Anonymous8 December 2006 at 14:20:00 GMT+3

    I totally understand.

    It didn't surprise me that out of the 9 categories of posts you have -labels-, "Driving" had the largest number of posts in it, even more than the "Ninja" category :-)

    Now you are in Riyadh, If you ever had the chance to drive in Jeddah, I guess that number will triple. As my brother calls it: these streets that we have in Jeddah were specifically designed to promote accidents!

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  4. Margrave11 December 2006 at 12:38:00 GMT+3

    I just cannot imagine how bad the driving must be in Jeddah for it to be worse than Riyadh!
    If I had my way I think I'd post about driving every day as every day something happens to me on the roads that makes my blood boil!
    If I can get out of here without being in a car accident I'll be delighted... and surprised :-/

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  5. Unknown16 February 2007 at 03:40:00 GMT+3

    I agree with entropy, it's hell driving here with all those whereabouts. However, that shouldn't keep you from visiting ;). You will see a whole other side of Saudi that you never saw. That's if you don't come on a vacation or a holiday season ... :S ... We get invaded those times and it becomes indifferent :P

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