- Thread starter NALs
- Start date
DR Driving
Definitely agree with this...
The very large majority of Dominicans follow a national system.. they are not dumb nor do they want to die in the road... there are just a few crazy people on the road that make it more or less interesting..
Once you've learned the Dominican system you're good to go imo.
for my job I used to drive + 100,000 miles per year all over Europe...
so driving here is not all that different....
well, no, I lied... it is different... in Europe I was the idiot... and here I'm looking for the idiots... lol
in Europe I drove a high-speed car, being on my cell, taking notes, and steering with my knees... (I got the fines to prove that one... lol...)
Driving "professionaly" in Europe teaches you a lot of things, like watching 3 or 4 cars ahead of you... anticipating ridiculous moves, etc... which certainly helps you over here...
the one thing I hate over here, and try to avoid to the maximum is driving at night...
during daytime over here, i take it easy, have a good overview of the traffic thanks to the millions of miles I drove already... and give right of drive more often than I should... just to be safe...
at nighttime, all the lunatics are released onto the roads...
it is a change... in Europe I was the lunatic (1200 km in 8 hours, from Antwerp to Barcelona... lol) ... and here i am the safe driver... whahahahaha
so driving here is not all that different....
well, no, I lied... it is different... in Europe I was the idiot... and here I'm looking for the idiots... lol
in Europe I drove a high-speed car, being on my cell, taking notes, and steering with my knees... (I got the fines to prove that one... lol...)
Driving "professionaly" in Europe teaches you a lot of things, like watching 3 or 4 cars ahead of you... anticipating ridiculous moves, etc... which certainly helps you over here...
the one thing I hate over here, and try to avoid to the maximum is driving at night...
during daytime over here, i take it easy, have a good overview of the traffic thanks to the millions of miles I drove already... and give right of drive more often than I should... just to be safe...
at nighttime, all the lunatics are released onto the roads...
it is a change... in Europe I was the lunatic (1200 km in 8 hours, from Antwerp to Barcelona... lol) ... and here i am the safe driver... whahahahaha
I spent about 3 weeks in DR this summer and drove a rental every day; mostly north coast, lots of trips between santiago and cabarete. Adjusted to local rules quickly: "there is no such thing as a red light". Sadly, after I got back to Canada, I am often the most aggressive driver the road here and having a hard time adjusting back!
If I drove in England like I am forced to drive here then I would be at best locked up and probably stabbed to death.
i drive but i do not enjoy it. luckily i passed the stage of having bad stomach cramps every time i was behind the wheel. now i just swear and sweat 
had few rubs with other cars but nothing serious but then i do not go very fast and i avoid driving at night.
still, it is better than taking motos. but worse than walking, somehow. having said this - it takes me less time to make a turn in a heavy traffic than cross the same street on foot. go figure.
had few rubs with other cars but nothing serious but then i do not go very fast and i avoid driving at night.
still, it is better than taking motos. but worse than walking, somehow. having said this - it takes me less time to make a turn in a heavy traffic than cross the same street on foot. go figure.
E
engineerfg
Guest
The 2 things that drive me insane driving in this jungle are:
1. Car Publico's - It's a fact, you can't drive forward, while you're looking at the sidewalk all day to pick up a fare. Multitasking just doesn't work. What I can't understand is, if I had to drive for 10 hours a day, one would assume i'd be a good safe driver, but they're all such brut aS-Sholes. I don't get it.
2. Speed + Horn = chicken. If you're turning, after seeing you, instead of slowing down, they will speed up and honk the horn. Like that's supposed to magically make everything safer??? Uneducated mud creatures
1. Car Publico's - It's a fact, you can't drive forward, while you're looking at the sidewalk all day to pick up a fare. Multitasking just doesn't work. What I can't understand is, if I had to drive for 10 hours a day, one would assume i'd be a good safe driver, but they're all such brut aS-Sholes. I don't get it.
2. Speed + Horn = chicken. If you're turning, after seeing you, instead of slowing down, they will speed up and honk the horn. Like that's supposed to magically make everything safer???
Uneducated mud creatures Vacation vs. traveling
If you are vacationing for relaxation why would you want to drive. Take taxis everywhere.
If you are a traveler/adventurer go ahead and drive. You are already up for anything, and presume to have some experience behind the wheel. I go to D.R. often, and always start in Santo Domingo, and venture out to where ever i planned on so i hit both the soul crushing traffic (no worse than nYC rush traffic) and normally i take the major highways so the roads are in good condition. i dont mind either.
bottom line if your goal is a relaxing vacation take taxis, if are traveling around the country for fun, and adventure its ok to drive. Just use your common sense, avoid potholes (ollas, and volcanos), dont pick up hitch hikers, be careful at night, and know where you are going.....
If you are vacationing for relaxation why would you want to drive. Take taxis everywhere.
If you are a traveler/adventurer go ahead and drive. You are already up for anything, and presume to have some experience behind the wheel. I go to D.R. often, and always start in Santo Domingo, and venture out to where ever i planned on so i hit both the soul crushing traffic (no worse than nYC rush traffic) and normally i take the major highways so the roads are in good condition. i dont mind either.
bottom line if your goal is a relaxing vacation take taxis, if are traveling around the country for fun, and adventure its ok to drive. Just use your common sense, avoid potholes (ollas, and volcanos), dont pick up hitch hikers, be careful at night, and know where you are going.....
With a smile, you can do anything.
Others may not be smiling but you should be prepared for them to do anything.
Keep your windows down (doors locked) to listen for motoconchos.
He with the brightest lights at night has the right of way.
Bill
Others may not be smiling but you should be prepared for them to do anything.
Keep your windows down (doors locked) to listen for motoconchos.
He with the brightest lights at night has the right of way.
Bill