How bad is the driving, really?

DoDi · Apr 26th, 2005, 11:06

Hahahah... for an explanation of Indian traffic rules click here.

I wish I would have read this before leaving, it could have prepared me for that first ride from the airport.

Nick-H · Apr 26th, 2005, 11:25

It's bad. Really bad. Very bad

But it is when my friends in London drive as if they are at home in Chennai that I put my hands over my eyes and pray

Motorcycl_Adventurer · Apr 26th, 2005, 11:43

you can save ur skin and ur cars' if u follow some basic safety tips:

1) wear ur helmet/seatbelts in bike/car.

2) assume everyone will try to hit you and stay ready.

3) dont go faster than 30kmph in the city and 60kmph on the highway [for bikes]. For cars, dont cross 80kmph on the highway.

4) watch out for stray cattle, kids and people crossing.

5) get urself a good vehicle with good brakes. Dont be demotivated by the over-usage of horns by other. But dont add to the polution.

6) high beams and bullying is a part of the great indian road scene- try to live with it.

finally one piece of advice:

BE PARANOIC- ONLY THEY SURVIVE..!

machadinha · Apr 26th, 2005, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoDi

Hahahah... for an explanation of Indian traffic rules click here.

LOl that whole site should go up on the joke for the day thread... Desi Humor... See esp. Elephant Jokes -- desi version and Prem's Guide to India. Or in this context: German Driving Terms.

guerik · Apr 27th, 2005, 08:47

Hey, the driving's not bad, it's just a whole different style of driving. IMO, if you can avoid an accident in Delhi/Mumbai you'd never have an accident in the west (assuming you could get used to traffic laws being enforced).

Merchant · Apr 27th, 2005, 09:51

I can't count the mangled wrecks, shattered glass, and other evidence of violent "mishaps" (the newspapers' term) I've seen on India's roads--easily some of the most dangerous in the world.

I try to avoid traveling by car over long distances. 3-5 hour trip, I'm okay. After that, I feel I'm pressing my luck.

soulstation · Apr 27th, 2005, 10:28

Its not such a big deal for people who have been born and brought up in India...they have grown up with the chaos and confusion. But, yes, as an outsider, he will have difficulty negotiating the Indian roads...

jjacquemain · Apr 27th, 2005, 10:28

The pinnacle of my trip (adrenaline induced) was my trip from the airport to the hotel....I was amazed at the speeds and dodging that went on..like nothing I had ever experienced before....I paid many rupees to do it again....It wasn't as good as the first time but I sure tried!

soulstation · Apr 27th, 2005, 10:32

No wonder India's Formula Racing star Narain Karthekeyan once remarked - "I feel safe driving in the circuit that on the roads of Chennai!"

SydneyKate · Apr 27th, 2005, 12:36

I'm always amazed at how tolerant and good natured people are! If people here behaved like that (cutting up other drivers, pulling out in front of them, going the wrong way around roundabouts etc) there would be even more road rage than there is now ...Just a friendly toot on the horn, a shrug of the shoulders and it all continues with amazingly few mishaps considering.

Nick-H · Apr 27th, 2005, 13:00

guerik: I just clicked on your avatar by accident. What a great photo!

Particularly appropriate to this thread I recommend everyone to check out you profile photo.

Do you have one of you arguing the fare with an indian family?

Apr 26th, 2005, 11:06	#1
DoDi Nodal Agent Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: I live in my cube. Posts: 215	How bad is the driving, really? Hahahah... for an explanation of Indian traffic rules click here. I wish I would have read this before leaving, it could have prepared me for that first ride from the airport.

Apr 26th, 2005, 11:25	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	It's bad. Really bad. Very bad But it is when my friends in London drive as if they are at home in Chennai that I put my hands over my eyes and pray __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team Last edited by Nick-H : Apr 26th, 2005 at 15:30.

Apr 26th, 2005, 11:43	#3
Motorcycl_Adventurer Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 38	not very bad ...if u learn fast. you can save ur skin and ur cars' if u follow some basic safety tips: 1) wear ur helmet/seatbelts in bike/car. 2) assume everyone will try to hit you and stay ready. 3) dont go faster than 30kmph in the city and 60kmph on the highway [for bikes]. For cars, dont cross 80kmph on the highway. 4) watch out for stray cattle, kids and people crossing. 5) get urself a good vehicle with good brakes. Dont be demotivated by the over-usage of horns by other. But dont add to the polution. 6) high beams and bullying is a part of the great indian road scene- try to live with it. finally one piece of advice: BE PARANOIC- ONLY THEY SURVIVE..!

Apr 27th, 2005, 10:28	#7
soulstation For God's Sake, Save The Tiger! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IND Posts: 141	Its not such a big deal for people who have been born and brought up in India...they have grown up with the chaos and confusion. But, yes, as an outsider, he will have difficulty negotiating the Indian roads... __________________ 2005: Jodhpur, Pragpur, Garli, Chamba Patan, Kaleshwar Mahadev, Dada Sibba, Pong Lake, Kangra, Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj (Saw HH Dalai Lama preaching!), Kasauli, Kathmandu & Corbett 2004: Kuchesar, Brijghat, Rishikesh, Glasshouse on Ganges, Mukteshwar, Naukuchiatal, Lucknow, Ajmer, Pushkar, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Jodhpur 2003: Mussoorie, Varanasi, Lucknow & Goa Visit my photo gallery

Apr 27th, 2005, 10:28	#8
jjacquemain Nothing is illegal until you get caught~ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio USA Posts: 533	The pinnacle of my trip (adrenaline induced) was my trip from the airport to the hotel....I was amazed at the speeds and dodging that went on..like nothing I had ever experienced before....I paid many rupees to do it again....It wasn't as good as the first time but I sure tried! __________________ There is no defense against chaos~

Apr 27th, 2005, 08:47	#5
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,038	Hey, the driving's not bad, it's just a whole different style of driving. IMO, if you can avoid an accident in Delhi/Mumbai you'd never have an accident in the west (assuming you could get used to traffic laws being enforced).

Apr 27th, 2005, 09:51	#6
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	I can't count the mangled wrecks, shattered glass, and other evidence of violent "mishaps" (the newspapers' term) I've seen on India's roads--easily some of the most dangerous in the world. I try to avoid traveling by car over long distances. 3-5 hour trip, I'm okay. After that, I feel I'm pressing my luck.

Apr 27th, 2005, 10:32	#9
soulstation For God's Sake, Save The Tiger! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: IND Posts: 141	No wonder India's Formula Racing star Narain Karthekeyan once remarked - "I feel safe driving in the circuit that on the roads of Chennai!"

Apr 27th, 2005, 12:36	#10
SydneyKate Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 77	I'm always amazed at how tolerant and good natured people are! If people here behaved like that (cutting up other drivers, pulling out in front of them, going the wrong way around roundabouts etc) there would be even more road rage than there is now ...Just a friendly toot on the horn, a shrug of the shoulders and it all continues with amazingly few mishaps considering.

Apr 27th, 2005, 13:00	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,747	guerik: I just clicked on your avatar by accident. What a great photo! Particularly appropriate to this thread I recommend everyone to check out you profile photo. Do you have one of you arguing the fare with an indian family?

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