Cop hit me

[AlterEgo]

This thread has made me realize something. As an American who learned to drive in NYC and LI, my eyes are almost always in front of me scouring the road for drivers there or those to my sides or coming across my path. Mr AE is always focused on the guy behind him. I often feel he brakes too late, and he says it’s because someone is on his tail and he doesn’t want them to hit him. (My attitude, typically American, is if he hits me it’s not my fault, insurance will side with me). I’ve even seen him pull over and let someone behind him pass if they’re really tailgating. All these decades, I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy of his. Now I understand it’s because he learned how to drive in DR.

 

[cavok]

You do realize where you are right? Your not exactly in a country that follows law and order...

If you click under her name, you'll see she's been a member for over 17 years and I think she's lived here even longer than that.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Ignore them for a while. Tell them you'll pay half, offer them what you believe that to be or make them pursue you.
If they hassle you block their number

Any money she gives them is going in their pockets. The truck won’t be repaired. Most of the PN trucks I’ve seen are wrecks by the time they are two years old. I doubt they carry any type of insurance because they are a government vehicle.

Friends in Luperon contributed funds for gasoline to the local police to get extra patrols, especially at night. Lasted all of two weeks. They stopped the patrols and asked for more money. The icing on the cake here is the police were eventually suspected of involvement in some of the house thefts.

Remember the Canadian flight crew who reported illegal drugs on their aircraft. They were stranded in the DR for a year, never formally charged, threatened by drug traffickers in jail, and evidence exonerating them was ignored. Bribes secured their release. Despite all of this Abinader told Trudeau the rule of law is properly applied in the DR.

 

[Ecoman1949]

This thread has made me realize something. As an American who learned to drive in NYC and LI, my eyes are almost always in front of me scouring the road for drivers there or those to my sides or coming across my path. Mr AE is always focused on the guy behind him. I often feel he brakes too late, and he says it’s because someone is on his tail and he doesn’t want them to hit him. (My attitude, typically American, is if he hits me it’s not my fault, insurance will side with me). I’ve even seen him pull over and let someone behind him pass if they’re really tailgating. All these decades, I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy of his. Now I understand it’s because he learned how to drive in DR.

First thing I learned driving in the DR is don’t stop for people waiting to cross the roads. Nearly got rear ended twice on the Puerto Plata malecon being courteous and letting people cross. It’s amazing how getting behind the wheel of a vehicle changes the behaviour of locals who normally live a very slow lifestyle.

 

[josh2203]

First thing I learned driving in the DR is don’t stop for people waiting to cross the roads. Nearly got rear ended twice on the Puerto Plata malecon being courteous and letting people cross. It’s amazing how getting behind the wheel of a vehicle changes the behaviour of locals who normally live a very slow lifestyle.

That's very important to realize, not just what might happen to you, but I made the mistake (just once, have not done that again) a long ago of letting someone cross, only that the other vehicles did not. So by you stopping, worst case scenario you're giving the pedestrian a false sense of security and they can be very easily run over by another vehicle... Courtesy and taking others into consideration whether a vehicle or a vulnerable pedestrian are non-existing concepts in the DR...

 

[josh2203]

Mr AE is always focused on the guy behind him. I often feel he brakes too late, and he says it’s because someone is on his tail and he doesn’t want them to hit him. (My attitude, typically American, is if he hits me it’s not my fault, insurance will side with me). I’ve even seen him pull over and let someone behind him pass if they’re really tailgating. All these decades, I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy of his. Now I understand it’s because he learned how to drive in DR.

Sounds like Mr AE is an excellent driver who does not drive like many others in the DR. This is exactly how my wife made me learn to drive in the DR and how she driver herself, also an excellent driver... My brother-in-law (wife's sister's husband) drives exactly like that...

You can expect things in traffic to make sense and be logical back home but not in the DR...

 

[Big]

This thread has made me realize something. As an American who learned to drive in NYC and LI, my eyes are almost always in front of me scouring the road for drivers there or those to my sides or coming across my path. Mr AE is always focused on the guy behind him. I often feel he brakes too late, and he says it’s because someone is on his tail and he doesn’t want them to hit him. (My attitude, typically American, is if he hits me it’s not my fault, insurance will side with me). I’ve even seen him pull over and let someone behind him pass if they’re really tailgating. All these decades, I thought it was just an idiosyncrasy of his. Now I understand it’s because he learned how to drive in DR.

this is defensive driving for sure. It is very difficult for a man to pull over and let an aggressive tailgater pass. Testosterone is a powerful chemical. It is the correct thing to do for sure. There are some parallels to driving in S.D and NYC. However, I would rather drive in S.D.

 

[bob saunders]

Sounds like Mr AE is an excellent driver who does not drive like many others in the DR. This is exactly how my wife made me learn to drive in the DR and how she driver herself, also an excellent driver... My brother-in-law (wife's sister's husband) drives exactly like that...

You can expect things in traffic to make sense and be logical back home but not in the DR...

I do the same, slow down and pull to the right so they can pass. Happens a couple times every time I drive home from Santiago to Jarabacoa. The hill to Jarabacoa is really bad with these impatient dangerous drivers. These idiots pass on blind corners and hills, even with oncoming traffic. Best thing is to have them in front of you.

 

[drstock]

I like driving around this country, but the one thing that really worried me is that if I have an accident it will be my fault because I'm a gringo. If you have a collision with a cop, the outcome is even more certain.

 

[chico bill]

I do the same, slow down and pull to the right so they can pass. Happens a couple times every time I drive home from Santiago to Jarabacoa. The hill to Jarabacoa is really bad with these impatient dangerous drivers. These idiots pass on blind corners and hills, even with oncoming traffic. Best thing is to have them in front of you.

I was driving home on the highway from playing golf in Puerto Rico one time and a car cut in front of me almost causing me to clip him.
I realized he and his buddies were playing a slalom driving game seeing how close they could cut in front of cars.
A mile later they obviously cut one too close causing them to perform their own P. I. T. maneuver which spun them into the side of a rock mountain.
I had a good chuckle that his car was ruined and he and his 3 buddies were standing outside the car a looking like dumb monkeys who just short-circuited their Saturday celebrations.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Yes, its not the right time to be part of a sancocho.

I was told by friends to avoid hitting a rooster if I came across one on the road. The owner would claim it was a prize fighting rooster and expect a small fortune in compensation for it. Never had the opportunity to use that advice. The cows, potholes and motos were my main concern. Always tried to get off the roads before dark.

 

[JD Jones]

Speed kills. Don't be in a hurry.

 

[cavok]

I was told by friends to avoid hitting a rooster if I came across one on the road. The owner would claim it was a prize fighting rooster and expect a small fortune in compensation for it. Never had the opportunity to use that advice. The cows, potholes and motos were my main concern. Always tried to get off the roads before dark.

True!

 

[LindseyKaufman]

……when I went down to pay the police,
I took my receipt book. Told him he needed to sign a receipt. He obviously did not want to do that and several times asked me why.

However he was much calmer today, almost likeable. He counted the money, took it and eventually signed the receipt.

And then he admitted that he was in the wrong. I spoke very friendly, very calmly to him and told him that it appears he does not know the community he is responsible for….and that if he knew anything he would have known that it was I who donated the inverter and batteries in his police station. I told him (very sweetly) that it was his job to know his community since he is responsible for it.

He said he was late for a meeting in Gaspar Hernández. And he was in a foul mood for all the demands being placed on him.

We chatted a bit longer and as I prepared to leave I told him that I had just a bit of advice for him…….to drive slower and keep a better distance.

And I left, went around the block to go back home, and passing the police station again, he was now outside. I stopped my car and rolled down the window and smiling, said and NOW do you know me?

Sorry to the guys here…..but I have learned in the DR to get what I want from a Dominican man who thinks he is powerful,
The trick is to talk sweetly, smile, maybe act like I am flirting (yep- this old bag 70 year old woman!) and in my nice ladylike voice say what I really think and put them in their place. Men here are so easily charmed that a
woman can get away with almost anything!

 

[Ecoman1949]

……when I went down to pay the police,
I took my receipt book. Told him he needed to sign a receipt. He obviously did not want to do that and several times asked me why.

However he was much calmer today, almost likeable. He counted the money, took it and eventually signed the receipt.

And then he admitted that he was in the wrong. I spoke very friendly, very calmly to him and told him that it appears he does not know the community he is responsible for….and that if he knew anything he would have known that it was I who donated the inverter and batteries in his police station. I told him (very sweetly) that it was his job to know his community since he is responsible for it.

He said he was late for a meeting in Gaspar Hernández. And he was in a foul mood for all the demands being placed on him.

We chatted a bit longer and as I prepared to leave I told him that I had just a bit of advice for him…….to drive slower and keep a better distance.

And I left, went around the block to go back home, and passing the police station again, he was now outside. I stopped my car and rolled down the window and smiling, said and NOW do you know me?

Sorry to the guys here…..but I have learned in the DR to get what I want from a Dominican man who thinks he is powerful,
The trick is to talk sweetly, smile, maybe act like I am flirting (yep- this old bag 70 year old woman!) and in my nice ladylike voice say what I really think and put them in their place. Men here are so easily charmed that a
woman can get away with almost anything!

Good on you Lindsey! If I ever go to war, I want you on my side. I’ve witnessed DR woman putting their spouses in their place with rage instead of intelligence and grace. Scary!

 

[CristoRey]

The only time they like gringos is when they are selling you something or getting something free from you.

I disagree.
90% of the people I spend time with are working class Dominicans and they do not behave this way.

Heck, I was being offered so much free stuff along with food and drinks from these folks during the holidays, I had to start turning people down. At one point when fellow DR1 member "GaryExpat" and another gringo were visiting me here in Santiago, my Dominican friend's were buying drinks for all of us.
It's all about how you carry yourself and talk to others.

If I felt the way you feel about this country after spending this much time down here I'd a packed my bags and left a long time ago.

If I were Lindsey I would have hopped out phone camera rolling, tell them we're on FayBoo live and ask them why weren't you able to come to a full stop prior to hitting me?

I guarantee you the driver/ PN would have had a different attitude.

 

[keepcoming]

I disagree.
90% of the people I spend time with are working class Dominicans and they do not behave this way.

Heck, I was being offered so much free stuff along with food and drinks from these folks during the holidays, I had to start turning people down. At one point when fellow DR1 member "GaryExpat" and another gringo were visiting me here in Santiago, my Dominican friend's were buying drinks for all of us.
It's all about how you carry yourself and talk to others.

If I felt the way you feel about this country after spending this much time down here I'd a packed my bags and left a long time ago.

If I were Lindsey I would have hopped out phone camera rolling, tell them we're on FayBoo live and ask them why weren't you able to come to a full stop prior to hitting me?

I guarantee you the driver/ PN would have had a different attitude.

Agree that all Dominicans are not the same. It depends on who you surround yourself with. I can't speak for Lindsey but maybe it was a matter of paying something just to keep it simple.

 

[CristoRey]

Agree that all Dominicans are not the same. It depends on who you surround yourself with. I can't speak for Lindsey but maybe it was a matter of paying something just to keep it simple.

Over the years I've learned to handle negative situations like the average Dominican would handle it. It always works better than trying to deal with it like I would in my own country.
When in Rome...

 

[LindseyKaufman]

I get what you all are saying g and I applaud you for crossing the cultural lines.
Not everyone can do that successfully, and it is because of you and your wisdom that I take time to read this forum.

Although I can socialize with Dominicans- and in fact just had a Christmas party with the 35 members of my advisory group, all Dominicans, and although I have done this several times previously with Dominican community leaders and my teachers, I realize that equally important is my loyalty to
my donors, using their support wisely and honestly and maintaining their trust. I want to always make objective decisions regarding our needs and those of the community. For this reason, keep a separation between them and myself.

Many times I wish That I could just go back to the US, visit with my children and grandchildren and not work 12-14 hours a day running a non profit as a volunteer. I am sacrificing the good life here and also the good life in the US.

My life is not easy, but it is my calling and I hope and pray that when I die I will have left the world just a little bit better.

Be well all of you. I appreciate your come talk- critical or educational. We are all in this together.

 

[LindseyKaufman]

And sorry for the errors…. Wanted to edit after I hit reply but seems I could not.