- Thread starter suarezn
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If you're a tourist and you still think you can drive in The DR...
Why is it a bad solution to "hire" a professional driver? Driving conditions are different in DR than in other countries. When I drive in Miami I don't have to look out for shoe shine boys darting in traffic, gua gua's of all shape and size, truckloads with hay falling out, oh and not to mention crazy driver's who don't know what a turn signal is...
I make them provide their own car as well. I pretty much always agree with everything you say Africaida!!!!!
This is exactly what I'm trying to say as well. But I guess others are so self centered arguing that they lost the capability to adapt and learn.
We as Dominicans always expect the worst from others cars and that makes us really skillful drivers. I can look at my rearview mirror and detect the car that will cause problems 4 cars behind me, or know that the car that is hiding 3 cars ahead will suddenly make a right turn without putting the turn signals causing the entire lane to slow down and maybe cause an accident. Once I notice that car intention I'll be ready when it happens be it slowing down in advance or turning to the other lane to avoid the mess. This is just an example of countless of scenarios you encounter yourself while driving in the DR.
There's also the guy driving in the left lane and then wanting to make a right turn at the last moment in a intersection, foreigners won't be ready for that type of stunt but any Dominican driver who respect himself know how to handle that situation.
Yeh, you get more dunches and people rear ending each other. I've been in a few where they just shout across the lanes and carry on as normal, that's what I mean by no one knows where the car is on the road, utter lack of skill. I try to keep a 6 or 7 foot invisible barrier around me, if I see a bike coming up the inside I'll squeeze him before he gets to me, let him become someone elses insurance problem, but again that is every city in the world, not just here, and I now have a police siren horn which keeps people off my paintwork.
I have a friend who gets knocked of his delivery bike every few months, injuries vary from stitches in chin to skinned body, no broken bones,,, yet! But I think that is a good sign that many many motos are getting flattened daily in the capital. As far as my family goes, I'm more concerned about high speed crashes than dodging around the city.
That is a contradiction, WE as Dominicans know to expect the WORST (as in really sh1t driving decisions), which makes you really skilled drivers! (what in the fact you know each other are so bad, you know to expect crap decisions on the road?
Any idiot can be alert on the road, so when did becoming alert become skill?
A skilled driver doesn't make stupid decisions as he considers those behind him may not be on the same level, right?
I will accept you are a skilled driver, but don't put those I drive around with daily in that category, I share a road daily with them, skilled is not the word I'd use!
I agree and I caught up to this from very early time. The truth is, some of the expats and tourists who are complaining about the driving rules and conditions are just way too innocent for this country. You have to meet these people in real life to really get the whole picture. these people will get their pockets picked even in a church picnic. Some of these people only know how to follow written rules and don't have the capacity to act quickly in a split second situation. Look at the same people, who they are married to in DR? You think they made the best choice when finding mates? so why do you think they are ready for anything else in this country? they will make bad decisions in traffic situations as well and get themselves into an accident.
I insist, if you really want to know why some people always complain in this country and can't seem to get anything right, you must meet them in person. The mystery will be all over in about 10 minutes.
AZB
dominicans are the worst drivers in the world period!! they are terrorist behind wheels, they don't obey traffic lights, they zig zag all over the place, they don't know how to make turn and driving drunk is like a culture to them ...
dominicans should be riding burros instead!
dominicans should be riding burros instead!
I'm easily amused
I like to sit on the sidewalk in front of my apartment and what the skilled drivers parallel park. This should be the easiest thing in the world for them, as thats almost the only kind of parking there is here in Santo Domingo. But can most of them NO. It can get really funny after the 4th attempt. This includes both men and women.
I like to sit on the sidewalk in front of my apartment and what the skilled drivers parallel park. This should be the easiest thing in the world for them, as thats almost the only kind of parking there is here in Santo Domingo. But can most of them NO. It can get really funny after the 4th attempt. This includes both men and women.
I sort of agree, but innocent is the wrong word. I don't feel because someone has failed to 'follow the flock',and adapt bad driving practices this makes them innocent. By all counts it makes them better drivers in their own right. Yes you have to adapt to the driving method and thought process, but once you start to drive like them, then you are swapping your NIKE for your 'plaza lama home brand'. IMO.
I do what works. I know atlanta driving will get me into an accident here. So I drive like dominicans but with caution and with calculated risks. I don't do everything dominicans do, but only extract what I like and discard the rest. I like the way men keep their composure and act like the male figure in the relationship. This system works very well here so who am I to change the rules? Let the women be sweet women and let the men be men. Now when it comes to driving here, I will follow the unwritten rules and do what actually gets me from point A to B without getting into an accident. I must be doing something right because in 12 yrs of daily driving here I have yet to cause an accident.
AZB
Apart from run over a policeman? Haha!!
No, I completely agree with having to adapt, as I have stated quite a few times. My only grief with this thread was this guy telling me of the superiority of skilled dominican drivers, still laughing at that like mist who have read it.
So if DR is ranked third in road fatalities why in the hell would I double my chances of being killed with 2 morons going head on, the one coming at me and the one driving me. If I am driving I can usually see a moron coming and avoid him.
I enjoy driving in DR, but it makes me very agressive. When I return to NY, it takes about a week to adjust.