Driving in China is an adventure. In the states, we are taught to drive defensively, but in China it's a combination of defensive, offensive, and strategic driving. You need to be defensive because the majority of drivers react to their current mood and needs. You need to drive offensively because if you're too passive you'll never merge into traffic or get out of the parking lot. The strategic part is the hardest part because the roads are constantly under construction which means a lack of consistency, especially for a novice driver in China. Add to the fact that I don't read too much Chinese, and it requires a lot of strategy.
As a driver in So Cal, part of the country with the worst traffic and drivers, China's driving takes it to the next level. The number of people honking, unexpected stopping, merging, and parking is hard to get used to. The idea that pedestrians need to give the right away to cars but constantly push the limits is unsettling. Then there are the motorcycles, scooters, and delivery vehicles that cut in and out of traffic. Although, there are fewer now than before, their actions on the road are still extremely unpredictable.
Parking is a whole other monster in itself. Keep in mind, I am not in a major metropolis which means less rules apply and that definitely applies to parking. It's almost laughable that they have parking spaces and lines because it seems the vast majority of people simple disregard them. I'd say that, as long as your car doesn't block the road or intersection then anything goes, but they'd break that rule too. To be fair, it's not as chaotic as my description may seem, but for someone from a culture that is legally governed, this "freedom" takes time to get used to. At the same time, it can be quite fun to drive here because of the flexibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment