It appears that rules for driving in India are more like guidelines. And no one really pays attention to the guidelines either. They pretty much drive where and how they want!
For instance, a few Friday nights ago we were heading out for some dinner at our favorite Chinese place when we found ourselves in the middle of the 8 pm traffic rush on a Friday night. Cars everwhere. My husband leans over and comments, "Did you notice that there are 7 lanes of traffic on a 4 lane road." I look around. Good grief he is right. There are cars, rickshaws, motorcyles, trucks, and bicycles moving in the same general direction but squished together into more lanes of traffic than it appears the road can handle. But in true Indian fashion it does work... somehow.
The other day I was driving over to pick up some shirts from the dry cleaner for my husband. We were heading along with the traffic on a very busy road when a young woman walked directly in front of my car and stuck her hand out in a stop sign fashion. There were about 20 other cars around and behind us when she did this and we all came screeching to a halt. She never once looked up from under her dupatta (a long scarf worn over the head). Then about 15 goats begin to cross the road with, who I am guessing to be, her husband following behind them. No one honks during the whole ordeal. Everyone just waited. I sat there with my mouth hanging open waiting for my driver to honk. Nothing happens as it is very normal for a herd of goats to cross a road in a large metro area of over 27 million people. I was amazed.
In general...
If there is a red light people still go.
If there is a curb seperating two sides of the road people just drive over it as though it is not there.
If there is a round-about in an intersection people just drive directly across it. Literally!
If a car is turning onto a street then it is the responsiblity of the other drivers to look for him as he will not be looking for them.
And the most terrifing thing you experience here is if you need to get to the other side of the road but only one opening in the median is available within the next block your driver will simply cross over to the oncoming lanes of traffic and drive on the wrong side of the road...honking his horn and blinking his lights. Really!
So that folks is why Lance and I do not drive in India. :)
For instance, a few Friday nights ago we were heading out for some dinner at our favorite Chinese place when we found ourselves in the middle of the 8 pm traffic rush on a Friday night. Cars everwhere. My husband leans over and comments, "Did you notice that there are 7 lanes of traffic on a 4 lane road." I look around. Good grief he is right. There are cars, rickshaws, motorcyles, trucks, and bicycles moving in the same general direction but squished together into more lanes of traffic than it appears the road can handle. But in true Indian fashion it does work... somehow.
The other day I was driving over to pick up some shirts from the dry cleaner for my husband. We were heading along with the traffic on a very busy road when a young woman walked directly in front of my car and stuck her hand out in a stop sign fashion. There were about 20 other cars around and behind us when she did this and we all came screeching to a halt. She never once looked up from under her dupatta (a long scarf worn over the head). Then about 15 goats begin to cross the road with, who I am guessing to be, her husband following behind them. No one honks during the whole ordeal. Everyone just waited. I sat there with my mouth hanging open waiting for my driver to honk. Nothing happens as it is very normal for a herd of goats to cross a road in a large metro area of over 27 million people. I was amazed.
In general...
If there is a red light people still go.
If there is a curb seperating two sides of the road people just drive over it as though it is not there.
If there is a round-about in an intersection people just drive directly across it. Literally!
If a car is turning onto a street then it is the responsiblity of the other drivers to look for him as he will not be looking for them.
And the most terrifing thing you experience here is if you need to get to the other side of the road but only one opening in the median is available within the next block your driver will simply cross over to the oncoming lanes of traffic and drive on the wrong side of the road...honking his horn and blinking his lights. Really!
So that folks is why Lance and I do not drive in India. :)
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