Malaysia - Traffic Nightmare
May 11th 2011 15:14
I have lived and driven in Boston, USA for many years and thought the drivers there were terrible. I have travelled in China, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam and observed that the drivers in those country were worse than in
Boston. Since I have lived in Penang, Malaysia, I think Boston drivers and the drivers in the other countries I mentioned are considerate, polite and professional, as compared to drivers in Malaysia.
I must point out that I do not drive here. It's not because of driving on the "other side" of the road. It's because of the ignorant, inconsiderate and uncivilized drivers on the road. There seems to be an equal mixture of automobiles and motorbikes on the road. The motorbikes pay little or no attention to the traffic rules. They weave in and out of traffic. They don't stop for red lights. They turn left or right as they please cutting many drivers off and look upon pedestrians with disgust, as they attempt to cross the road in a crossing zone. To make matters worse, if there is an accident, and a motorbike is at fault, it's the automobile driver who is charged because the auto is bigger.
It is quite common to see a husband and wife, with 1 or 2 small children or babies all riding on a motorbike, with no helmets. There is a helmet law here, but it is selectively enforced. The most difficult part of crossing the street here is anticipating wether or not the motor bikes will stop or slow down for you. You have to stare them down.
The cars are not that much better when it comes to pedestrians. Back home we say "the pedestrian always has the right of way". Here the saying is "pedestrians beware". Crosswalks mean nothing. It seems if you are driving a Mercedez or BMW you don't have to stop for anyone. The pedestrian is lowlife.
One of the rarest sightings you may find on major busy roads is any kind of traffic police or enforcement. I have never seen anyone pulled over for a traffice infraction. The most daring and adventurous parts of my day are crossing the road to go shopping or to the gym. I must say the government is trying to improve things, but it will be a major project to change the attitudes of the drivers and general public. Policemen here are grossly underpaid and this should be rectified to improve the traffic situatiion.
Boston. Since I have lived in Penang, Malaysia, I think Boston drivers and the drivers in the other countries I mentioned are considerate, polite and professional, as compared to drivers in Malaysia.
I must point out that I do not drive here. It's not because of driving on the "other side" of the road. It's because of the ignorant, inconsiderate and uncivilized drivers on the road. There seems to be an equal mixture of automobiles and motorbikes on the road. The motorbikes pay little or no attention to the traffic rules. They weave in and out of traffic. They don't stop for red lights. They turn left or right as they please cutting many drivers off and look upon pedestrians with disgust, as they attempt to cross the road in a crossing zone. To make matters worse, if there is an accident, and a motorbike is at fault, it's the automobile driver who is charged because the auto is bigger.
The cars are not that much better when it comes to pedestrians. Back home we say "the pedestrian always has the right of way". Here the saying is "pedestrians beware". Crosswalks mean nothing. It seems if you are driving a Mercedez or BMW you don't have to stop for anyone. The pedestrian is lowlife.
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