Having had the “controlled” traffic rules in the UK all my life, it thus was a shock and half when I first cam to Asia and experienced the NO RULES system. My first stop in Bangkok made me realize London was a controlled traffic flow, and even though had its traffic lights and horns blowing all the time it just does not even match the rules of engagement here in the Philippines.
Now there have been many articles on traffic here, but this time I thought I would write it from the pedestrian of non Pinoy decent, that have to learn to do the Olympic games from pole vaulting over cars that come straight at you, to theb 800m hurdles, where you get chased and have to jump over other pedestrians who are slower than you, no tiome to pass the Baton here. Back in the UK we have a Zebra crossing system that if automated stops the traffic so you can pass over without thinking you are in the FINAL DESTINATION, and here too in the last few weeks a brand new crossing has appeared, but the rules are a mystery to me.
First of all during it being made the traffic just went up on the sidewalk and scattered the pedestrians in all directions, but it was OK as it was overseen by traffic cops, so we were all in safe hands there.
The first morning of the new crossing, a crossing which is always busy with lane hopping cars,bikes and Jeepney all trying to swerve in front of another vehicle, or stop dead in front of another as to enjoy hundreds of brake lights coming on with the noise of horns to follow. Which incidentally everyone ignores the horns as they are going all the time, so are not classed as anything else but normal traffic noise.Anyway back to the first morning, and several traffic cops were ensuring that us pedestrians did NOT cross the road unless we used the new crossing, and that was great I thought, even when I saw some people who disobeyed getting tickets from the police,pedestrians not drivers.
Then I noticed that the cars shot past you even if you were half way through the crossing, and you still had to keep an eye out for a kamikaze driver who was not going to slow down for a crossing. Funny thing is that these drivers were so quick the police were not able to see them but could see the pedestrians dancing on the crossing trying to avoid the metal. The police just kept calling the pedestrians over.
Well day one teething problems I’m sure. Day two and the Police have gone so its up to the public to deal with this new format without help. Now the pedestrians try hard to put one foot on the crossing followed by second, but by this time the cras are rocking past them and they have to step back waiting for the never going to happen gap in the traffic.Now I was a little angry over this but being a foreigner I had to try and obey the rules so after a long wait, a long long wait I managed to get on the crossing with the inevitable horns going from the super powered jeepneys hurtling towards me, and through guts and determination I made it to the halfway point. Some astonished locals were looking at me in amazement, why is he using the crossing? Just play chicken like the rest of us.
Nope, I wanted this to work (Not really sure why), but I was in trouble stuck in no mans land,with cars and jeepneys full of wide eyes looking at this stupid man stuck in the middle of the road.
After a few false tries, I just waited and to my utter astonishment the Jeepneys one by one parked ON the crossing to let people get on and off, and others queued behind. People were getting off on the crossing!!
Now I have metal machines and human beings preventing me from crossing, it makes no sense to me at all.
Over the next few days the road is back to normal, and no one uses the crossing and I play the game of Chicken. I just hope my old legs don’t let me down in the future, or I will be up close and personal with a Jeepney.
About John
Hi John -
Peep peep peep says the pelican crossing,
Into the street we hop.
Peep peep peep says the pelican crossing,
Traffic has to stop.
Peep peep peep says the pelican crossing,
Traffic here can’t hear.
Peep peep peep says the pelican crossing,
Jump back out of fear.
hi john
i have read that at night, auto drivers dont use their headlights. too cheap for their own good. what a bunch of morons.
maria
Bunch of morons exist so geniuses like you can tell them they are morons. And that’s because you have read somewhere of their moronic feat.
Hi John – Now that just plain scares me. I have no wish to drive in the Philippines. Tricycle will do in Tagum City. I was hoping I could walk to City Hall or the Post Office. Now I find out they drive on the sidewalks too. Yikes! I am too old to get out of the way. Just serve me up on a platter, I am toast!
Crossing any street in the Philippines is dangerous, but not only here. In Bangkok Thailand (as you pointed out) it is impossible to get to the other side. That’s why the Chicken crossing the road joke is not understood there. In Manila crosswalks are nothing but a free fire zone.
Lack of discipline by drivers, and a “get over on the next guy” mentality is part of the reasons. Pedestrians and their jumping out in front of Buses, Trucks, and cars attitude, is the second part of the problem.
Keeping chickens in your yard to teach the children how to walk in traffic is another major problem.
I’ve noticed this in Asia, Central and South America, and Africa, oh hell, everywhere I’ve ever been, it’s just the way it is, I guess.
TOUCHE! Point goes to Roy! hahaha
Hi John,
Ha Ha i know what you mean.
On my recent visit to Mindanao, we were outside BI Davao,Sheryl said lets cross here to go to Victoria Plaza,i said “are you crazy, there is a bridge 100 yds away”,we took the bridge.
Its as bad in the provinces,we spent much time dodging trikes in Valencia City.
As they say “Welcome to PI”.
regards Chas.
Paul
Your a poet and you did not know it.
Maria,Roy
I leave you both alone lol
I will just say that here I do not see no headlights on cars, its more likely for the guys who peddle clients around.
Edward
I very much like Tagum,but anywhere in the Philippines is best to really concentrate on the traffic and that includes the side walks too. You will never get bored
John M
I will not drive here for the same reason, is everything ok now ?
Chasdv
I am amazed how people with poor eye site even cope, as most times I cannot.
Sorry Roy, I must agree, anyone who refuses to turn their headlights on at night earns the name moron. Cars do not seem to be the problem here in Dipolog, and the motorcabs have gotten better about using lights, but the daredevil kids on singles run as fast as they can down a dark highway at night with their headlight off! And of course tail lights and turn signals are not “cool” at all, so they rip those off of their brand new motorbikes, as well as those annoying rearview mirrors. God forbid we look behind before yanking out to pass and getting smashed by the car that is passing already!
The provincial hospital is FULL of guys that think they are the baddest biker in the Philippines. Unfortunately they keep the casket makers busy too. The Philippine congress debates banning motorbikes…. instead of common sense measures that would drastically reduce motorbike fatalities. Kindof like shooting yourself in the foot over and over again, and then demanding stricter gun laws.
I have a very good friend here that uses a metal lower leg due to motorbike foolishness. He wised up, and tries to warn as many others as he can. The ” Cool” guys usually make fun of him though, instead of learning from his example.
One does not have to be a “genius ” as you put it to see the folly of riding on a dark bike, just possess an once or two of common sense, and enough concern about mankind, wherever they may be, to wish to see a change.
Thanks
i was in a taxi in CDO and we went up on a sidewalk and made a right hand turn too people just got out of he way .?????
Dave Keiser
I agree that bad driving here, especially motorbikes seems to be an accepted thing. And I see numerous motorbike related accidents, and last year a lady died in front of me as her bike was trying to overtake on a blind corner. She had no helmet.
Roy
My use of the word “no rules”, was meant to highlight my not understanding the rules here, and was not implying there are zero rules here. I was trying to point out the difference between the UK and here, and the bottom line is that whatever the rules are here, however they are understood or adhered too or policed, people die here in road accidents more per capita than in my country.
Phil r
I have been down one way streets in Taxi, now that gets your heart beating for sure
John: sitting here in Abulug and reading your column, only yesterday, one of Becky’s 6 y.o. Cousins was hit by a motorbike yesterday (in hospuital w/ concussion). Even in the small towns, it is a problem. One of my biggest fears driving here is hitting a pedestrian. The crossing problem is the same all over Asia (except Singapore, HKG, japan and Korea). Best way is to use my school of fish analogy… Cross when everyonew else does… There is some modicum of safety in numbers (along with greater visibility)
Hello Dave, there’s no question that turning off the headlights while in motion is moronic. Even a moron who would do that would agree with Maria, you or me that it is a moronic thing to do.
My quarrel with the statement “I have read that at night, auto drivers dont use their headlights” is its sweeping statement. Do all auto drivers in the whole archipelago of the Philippines “don’t use their headlights at night?” And by the way, where did Maria “read” that “at night, auto drivers don’t use their head lights?” If it was “read” in a blog, or e-magazine, my question is how credible is the source of info?
John G., the writer above, came from the UK where as he pointed out he had the “controlled traffic laws all his life.” He comes to the Phil and encounters the “NO RULES system.” It’s like the “Olympic games from pole vaulting over cars that come straight at you, to theb 800m hurdles” according to him. Hmnmn..I wonder where this might be. Fast cars..? Anyway, I have a similar experience except in reverse. I lived all my life in a country where according to John, there are “NO RULES” system. I came to the states and have fairly crossed streets from different states and regions. You would expect that I would be disoriented by the sheer order that assaults my third-world sensibilities. You would expect that I would be immobilized in the middle of the road and longed for the chaos that I grew up with. But I did not.
I wonder what’s wrong with me.