- Thread starter Derfish
- Start date
Bad accidents!!
All 100% true!
But if you know that's what they do, at least you can be better prepared and plan for an "out." This is what motorcyclists do, and one reason that motorcyclists tend to be the safest drivers: the risk management skills necessary to survive on two wheels---generally threat analysis and planning---are easily transferred to a 4-wheeled vehicle.
Red lights: I wait at least a full second and then do a deep scan in all 4 directions at intersections, signaled, stop signed or not. You know a vehicle may blow through the intersection, so look for it.
Vehicle lights: never assume they work, period. If they work, bonus. Expect the unexpected.
Passing blind corners: always look for an "out." Keep on mind that what *you* see as a two-lane road, is ~actually~ a three lane road with the middle lane first come-first serve" in Dominican driving culture. And recognize that you may not have a good out, accept that risk, and get to a better situation quickly as possible.
Passing too close: yep, happens. You have 6" of "personal space" between you & other traffic in the Dominican driving culture. YOU can always offer more space. I certainly do.
Yacking on cell phones (texting is worse): yep, happens. So *assume* all are yakking, understand their attention may not be acute, and plan for the unexpected.
Defensive driving in the DR takes on a different definition than in the states or Canuckia.
And accept that some risks cannot be properly mitigated, like 3 drunken Organ Donor Wannabe's with a nearly empty liter bottle of ron on a crappy black passola, sans lights, at night, in the rain, going 30kph under the limit.
S#!t can happen on DR roads. Either understand the risks and employ strategies that mitigate it, or stay at home. Simple solutions.
Ever see a mad rush in the supermarket when a new check-out line opens? Or the crush at a pharmacy, or any place where folks need to queue? Or some guy risking all to pass two cars on a long line stuck behind a heavy truck trundling up a hill?
It's the Dominican culture. It ain't going to change. See, to *them*, you're a dim-witted "extranjero pendejo" for going so slow and have no place on their roads. One knife: two edges.
If you can't deal with the culture perhaps other places would make one more sane. The DR way is not for everyone.
A Dominican will do everything possible to pass you even when he is 100 yards from where he has to stop or make a turn. He might even attempt to pass you on the right while you are making a right turn.
The "normal" Dominican driving lane has the left tire at least one foot over the center line of the road. This is to reduce the time needed to pass vehicles ahead of them.
We are not the tail that is going to wag that dog.
As CB says the DR is not for everyone.
But I like driving here. I've just read the odo on my car and I've done 70,000kms since I bought my car two years ago. That's a lot of mileage (or kilometrage - but doesn't sound right)
I don't drive as slow as most of the locals. I have places to go and stuff to do, so I like to get a move on. But I think I'm a safe driver. In ten years of living here I have learned how to anticipate most drivers and what they are about to do.
One thing that I have noticed though is a new demographic emerging on Dominican roads and that's Dominican women drivers. They are growing in numbers and one can recognize their driving style. They are nowhere near as aggressive on the roads as most male drivers are. However their over cautious defensive style does put them in precarious positions sometimes. Usually with the combination of their speed, road position and whatsapp.
But I like driving here. I've just read the odo on my car and I've done 70,000kms since I bought my car two years ago. That's a lot of mileage (or kilometrage - but doesn't sound right)
I don't drive as slow as most of the locals. I have places to go and stuff to do, so I like to get a move on. But I think I'm a safe driver. In ten years of living here I have learned how to anticipate most drivers and what they are about to do.
One thing that I have noticed though is a new demographic emerging on Dominican roads and that's Dominican women drivers. They are growing in numbers and one can recognize their driving style. They are nowhere near as aggressive on the roads as most male drivers are. However their over cautious defensive style does put them in precarious positions sometimes. Usually with the combination of their speed, road position and whatsapp.
The insurence is a joke I wanted to get a lot more coverage and I can't.
I said I am a gringo and I want to be covered if something happens but I got no where.
I did find something that if I pay I can go to a private holding house instead of jail.
As for dui how can thy tell? All this is just more reason to not stop or run on foot.
First have veachual inspecthions get lights on the fing motrecycles so thy can be seen.
Then start with lot having the bars overserv people. That is only the very first start.
I said I am a gringo and I want to be covered if something happens but I got no where.
I did find something that if I pay I can go to a private holding house instead of jail.
As for dui how can thy tell? All this is just more reason to not stop or run on foot.
First have veachual inspecthions get lights on the fing motrecycles so thy can be seen.
Then start with lot having the bars overserv people. That is only the very first start.
The same is true for woman moto riders. Their style is very different and I can pick it out far away: they hold their lines well, but further from the edge of the road even when going slower (usually, the slower you are, the further right you are.) They are slower, and more deliberate---subtle body language---with speed and direction changes. They can be harder to pass because of their lane position and may put themselves in jeopardy with some of the less sane or safety-conscious Dominican drivers.
And I've yet to see a female moto rider act the fool on a bike. Oh, and their riding posture is impeccable, straight up, head forward, no MotoGP wannabe clones...