What we all need is just one more whining foreigner on a blog site complaining about how the Filipino’s are such bad drivers it’ll make me sick, I grew up and learned to drive in Boston, now we can talk about bad drivers. I’ve driven a car in Mombasa Kenya, Naples Italy, Scotland, Mexico, Central and South America, Guam and more places then I would care to mention. I’ve seen bad driving but most of the bad driving I witnessed was in supposedly developed countries where there were rules to cover all the other rules and no list of the exceptions to those rules. Let’s say where you’re from it is legal to turn right on red. But just down the road without a sign stating that, then it is not legal, and always a hefty fine if you assume incorrectly. Try a rotary (Round-About) in Massachusetts if you want to see fun on a roadway.
A funny driving rule in Naples Italy back in the 1960’s; there was no driving drunk charge on the books. The prevailing logic was if you did drive drunk, you must be insane and will be committed to an asylum until a doctor finds you sane once more. Bring your tooth brush!
Here in the Philippines the traffic signal is nothing but a guide, and stop signs seldom are working. On the highway the three lanes can become 5 lanes, plus a bus or Jeepney can stop wherever they choose to pick up or discharge a passenger. While in the developed world you must sit for 45 minutes until that well regulated bus approaches the only stop they are allowed to pick you up at and you find you’re standing at the wrong stop and watch it pass you by. Tell me that has never happened to you?
I like the freedom of driving and interacting with my fellow drivers on the Philippine byways, and in twenty plus years I’ve never witnessed road rage. If I get cut off or some car fronts the line I’ve learned to give the salute (Not the finger but the Pinoy shrug) and drive on smartly. For I know that sometime down the road I’ll be allowed to repeat that same maneuver and not a word will be said in anger. I’ve seen very few accidents here with the exception of underpowered motorbikes that can’t seem to get out of their own way, but are always in yours. They have the life expectancy of that of gold fish you won at ring toss game at the fair. (The same memory span also)
Shortly after moving here full time I had built, the first air conditioned owner jeep in this area, real roll up windows in real metal doors that locked with a key Power steering and power breaks. Like Burger King; “You can have it your way” But the one major-major mistake I made was not installing one of those automatic Transmixers for my wife. I was a foolish-foolish man. I had a few cocktails one night and she drove me from the Barrio to my house in 1st gear the entire trip of 45 minutes. Our next car was a Mitsubishi Lancer with automatic shifting for my designated driver.
After the stateside over regulated anal-retentive driving that I had to deal with most of my life, then I got to experience the freedom while driving that Puerto Rico and the Philippines offers you, it was a sheer pleasure to experience the unregulated pandemonium and freedom of the road that after my ten years in Puerto Rico I was missing after being in the states another three years before coming to the Philippines, and yes, in Puerto Rico they drive just like the Philippines, more great drivers
But my point is for us to stop complaining, adjust or hire a driver or better yet, ride Jeepneys and complain about their driving. But leave the rest of the drivers alone as you’ll soon find out here in the Philippines you’re not quite the great driver you thought you were. Hell I’ve still got more to learn but I have no fear of driving anywhere on the Islands and I’ve driven in Manila, but that is not something I’ll ever repeat. What the hell was I thinking?
Just remember one important rule while driving here, and that is the rule of “Gross Tonnage” the larger a vehicle the more right of way it has. Now close your eyes pull into traffic and act like you know what you’re doing. Remember never show any fear.
Things that I enjoy:
- Went to renew the drivers license, they had none to issue; Please wait and check back every month. (5 months as off today.)
- My son-in-law’s tag expired, no tags at the LTO. Please wait, but here is a letter to show the traffic enforcer who will stop you twice a day.
- Week end visitor from Manila does not know why he was stopped for making a left turn from the extreme right lane while at a stop light. Had no idea what the infraction was.
- When traveling using GPS out on the island, no one told your provider that the road was changed to a one-way last year.
The list could go on, but I’d like to read some of your favorite driving stories. Happy Motoring and that the Trike drivers are the next best thing to AAA when broke down on the side of the road. Happy motoring!
enjoyed reading this story paul.i myself drive for the transit system here in milwaukee.. there are rules here but hardly anyone ever follows them for myself i can’t wait until i don’t have to drive.when i do move to phil i might do a little driving . but for 18 cents per ride why would i want too. most days while driving the bus i feel like i’m the only one on the road who obeys the laws. it stress the crap out of me . i look so forward to having someone other than myself do the driving.
Anthony Bosetti;
I can relate to that, I rode ships for over 30 years for a living. I fly now if I want to travel. But driving with very few rules (Enforced) is a sheer pleasure to me. It keeps my mind and reflexes sharp. But I already processed the easy going persona that I learned in Puerto Rico as I said in the article it isfun to me, and no one is hiding with a radar gun trying to attain their quota.
My wife and I do our shopping on the Subic Freeport where there are no Jeepney’s or Tikes, I need my car to get my stuff back to the house and visit friends in far off towns. The next time I pass a line of Jeepney’s I’ll toot my horn. (lol)
Two buses collided here in NI earlier today: Fatalities ensue –
Paul and I both have written about the light hearted side of driving here in the Phils but it has its problems! Paul I hope this piece isn’t too snibling 🙂
http://www.expatphilippinesbacolod.news/?p=19
Stephen;
Accidents are part of driving anywhere on this earth, and until they can remove the human element you will read about them every day.
Prior to pulling away from the pier on a ferry, I will check the safety equipment on deck, and the overall condition of the vessel. Common sense and your eyesight can tell you if it’s overloaded and if you’ll be pulling into port again.
Public transportation, it is also your responsibly to protect your life and that of your family. The bus or Jeepney pulls to the curb, your hearing can tell you a lot. Did you hear that squealing from the breaks? Can you see the air in those bald tires? Is the vehicle overloaded? The capacity should not be determined by the conductor shouting “One More”!
Whether driving or riding as a passenger, the only thing that will guarantee your life is your due diligence and even then accidents will happen.
To improve ones vocabulary, make up a word! Such as Snibling. (LOL)
Paul, at the risk of drawing your ire, I had intended and will now post …,
I fully agree with what you posted regarding who is ultimately responsible for safety, very well said and thank you.
ED;
Thank you for your three comments in a row. But as I said yesterday, I’m done and have moved on. Please feel free to do the same, to imply that you could draw my ire, would mean I was still involved in the conversation. I’m not!
“And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply”
Anthony, Yes 18 cents sure is cheap. It is for the sake of convenience as to why we have a car. We didn’t always want to depend upon someone else to get where we want to go. But many feel different.
Rusty
Paul, the good news is you’re a good, entertaining writer. The bad news is you’re dead wrong, with an emphasis on dead. According to wikipedia, “vehicle related deaths per 100,000 vehicles” are 10 times higher here than in the US, 20 times higher than in England and 2.2 times higher than in Indonesia. Many factors are at work: prevalance of motorcycles, how pedestrians walk, poor roads. But surely the Philippines could do as well as Indonesia! If it could, the 8,500 people killed per year would be reduced by 4,600. Ninoy Aquino famously asked, “Is the Filipino worth dying for?” Now let me ask you, “Are 4,600 Filipinos PER YEAR worth changing the Filipinos driving habits?”
ProfDon:
And Wikipedia is the source you use? Can Wikipedia be verified by Snopes? But I will agree that within the last five years the ever growing numbers of underpowered motorcycles used to transport a family of five is a problem. There are ways to fix that, but it is not my place to interfere in how the Pinoy regulates themselves (I no longer ride motorcycles because I live here)
I will restate that “I” have never been in an accident here or in Puerto Rico, but in the United States four of my cars and one 850 Norton (Command0) were destroyed while legally parked on the side of the road. My insurance still dropped me.
You will find chickens in every yard here as they are training aids to teach people the proper way to walk on the Nations roadways.
Philippines: 8,500 people killed on the road out of a population of 80 million.
United States: 32,719 killed on the road out of a population of 316 million.
Lesson learned: Live in an area with a low population. )lol)
And thanks for your comment!
Paul, you are wrong to praise the driving here, dead wrong. Wikipedia shows that “vehicle related deaths per 100,000 vehicles” are 2.2 times higher here than in Indonesia (10 time the US, 20 times England). If this death rate could be reduced to Indonesia’s level, 4,600 lives would be saved PER YEAR. there may not be road rage here, but there is road mayhem. And you praise it?
I have always enjoyed driving here myself.
Bob;
Are you worried?
Donald Lecraw;
Yes Don from my point of reference I do praise it, and I’ll further agree with your mayhem analogy but I will leave my house today and drive to the Barrio, see some friend and enjoy my lunch, and not live under the fear of a web site’s statics. If for some reason it all goes wrong, please with my permission post on here; “I told you so”
I will say (THAT IN MY LIFE) I enjoy driving here and I’ll fully respect your right to not agree.
Donald,
Wikipedia is not taking in account for landmass vs population. They also do not consider vehicle type in to this. There are approximately 350 Filipinos vs 100 Indonesians per square kilometer. Also they did not factor in the type of vehicle driven by the populace. While Wikipedia does state facts they do not put them into perspective. 6 years ago when I went back to college to complete my degree in Networking we were told by each of our professors we could not use Wikipedia as a source of information as they were not reliable.
The trafic flows a lot smother in the Philippine roudabouts than hey do in the USA roundabouts.
Loren;
Rotary, Traffic Circle or Roundabout was something I had to learn to receive my license in Boston. The city has hundreds of them. Valuable knowledge when in the middle of a Rotary: No left turns allowed when exiting. Anyway after a few cocktails Mayang and Mercy are in the front seat and we’re in the back seat!
Paul,
Here is Georgia they have been putting in some roudabouts and replacing the old intersections. You want to see some hilarious driving just come here and see a redneck encounter a roundabout. I prefer the roundabout as opposed to a stoplight. Traffic does not backup, well until some idiot comes along and get confused. Also something Georgia Dept. of Trans. has been foing is swaping sides on our bridges. when you get to the bridge it takes you to the opposite side so there is no more left turn lanes. That was a smart idea. Traffic moves so smooth thru these areas now.
Scott D
The Rotary is becoming popular again, Boston has and will always have them. Now they are no so popular with the folks that while confused get stuck on them for revolution after revolution. But they should be happy just knowing that while trapped they have the right of way. (lol)
Paul,
I have not driven here yet, but I do enjoy driving as I drove from Ohio to Florida and back. Later on this year hopefully I’ll be driving here and that will be an adventure. I guess you just have to drive like everyone else. Looking forward to the freedom going whenever and wherever you want and not lugging big items on a jeepney.
PapaDuck;
The loading and off loading of “STUFF” on Jeepney’s was the main reason I bought my own transportation. Even “Special Jeepney’s” during the rainy season were just as bad. I don’t drive like anyone else; I just drive and let others adjust to me. That’s their real way of driving here.
Yes, I like it and the attitude culture is cool.
Although, Dons stats are probably correct, there is lots of road accidents on this small island. Some are motorcycle v animal usually native dogs or carabao and others no brakes, no lights, simply bad maintenance.
On a 8km mountain road stretch home at night we will count 4 or 5 motorcycles with no lights driving by moonlight lol, sometimes with a small flash light or driving with a guide buddy. On one night in the emergency room my doctor friend sees 5 to 10 dog related motorcycle accidents.
Martin Why;
Absolutely I agree also with Don’s stats, I just choose to not let them affect my driving fun. If the stats on ships that disappear at sea for no apparent reason every year, had never stopped me from reporting to my next ship, then I’ keep driving here.
This was my local drive for a while Hemel Hempstead’s magic roundabout. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Hemel_Hempstead)
Martin Why:
In your mind picture a yank who fully understands the concept of a Rotary (Round-About) now entering it for the first time while driving on the left hand side of the road vice the right. Pandemonium in the truest sense of the word, while driving from London to Glasgow, I exited the “M” and checked into an Inn with a pub attached.
I LOVE DRIVING IN PI!!!!
Like you I love the freedom. The rhythm of the chaos. The lack of enforced rules and I prefer the 2 wheel machines. I drive over 100k miles a year here in the states as a truck driver. My whole exsistance is regulated 24/7. 1.5 years left and I welcome the chaos !
Now my wife on the other hand learned to drive here with the “rules” of the road… I have explained it will be much different when we get home. I plan on her first vehicle gettin dinged up.
Bring on the crazy hazy drivin !
Bubba;
Another kindred soul, but as I said I’m on four wheels now, my motorcycle
days are over. Harley’s Norton’s BSA’s Thumpers and a few big rice burners, great memories everyone.
Being away from the constant nic-picking regulation is something I can understand, the love of chaos and anarchy and the right to think for one’s self.
Keep her between the ditches and the rubber on the road…. and a hand on the horn !
Bubba;
Also avoid the people spreading rice on the road to dry, plowing through the rice at 60 KPH is frowned upon. I am living proof of that.
Paul quipped “Also avoid the people spreading rice on the road to dry, plowing through the rice at 60 KPH is frowned upon. I am living proof of that.”
Though the usual speed is more likely 15kph, absolutely yes, as Paul suggested, best to “avoid the people spreading rice on the road”. Some rice strewn about is much cheaper than paying for funerals and burials. That those people shouldn’t have been there is no excuse for mowing them down. Same for their kids playing on the road, goats, carabaw, et al. Common sense is required; lack thereof is expensive and could be reciprocally fatal, especially for Xpats with $ tatooed on forehead at birth. Best don’t even be within a few Km of such, that’s what ‘precognition’ is for! Even if you are personally far away, be sure your wifes’ “driver” doesn’t cost you a million.
Ed;
Driving at 15 KPH on a national; highway from Olongapo to Eba? I don’t want to live where you drive that slow, as a brisk walk would get you there quicker. Let me clear up my comment about the rice.: You come around the corner at 60 KPH there in front of you with no warning and in violation of Philippine law is the rice, in the oncoming lane is a Victory Liner, it’s the rice or swerve into the bus. I’m sorry the rice will take the hit. .The people if there will scatter and I’ll stop and pay for nothing. They (the Rice Spreaders) put mine and my family’s life in jeopardy. This happened to me 10 years ago.
Quoting Paul: “Driving at 15 KPH on a national; highway from Olongapo to Eba? I don’t want to live where you drive that slow, as a brisk walk would get you there quicker. Let me clear up my comment about the rice.: You come around the corner at 60 KPH there in front of you with no warning and in violation of Philippine law is the rice, in the oncoming lane is a Victory Liner, it’s the rice or swerve into the bus. I’m sorry the rice will take the hit. .The people if there will scatter and I’ll stop and pay for nothing. They (the Rice Spreaders) put mine and my family’s life in jeopardy. This happened to me 10 years ago.”
Paul, obviously where you may be able to drive and scatter grain, adults, children, and various family animals without care is a bit different than my personal experience. I’ve done your stretch; but it’s …. what they would term here … “ABNORMAL”. To preclude any Pinoy provincial flame=fest,, I do **NOT** suggest anything “pangit” on your part, to the contrary. I’m merely trying to provide what I know here and now. Olongapo is not all of the country, indeed it’s perhaps somewhat of a “special zone” exception:?
Paul, you wrote …” a brisk walk would get you there quicker”
Paul, well yes, but whereas at my age I’m not up to walking nonstop (in context) for several days at 15km/hr under the beating hot sun. You may be, so go for it and post your experiences here. Alternatively, perhaps better we respect our age and remaining physical abilities.
Only if life-threatened would I at my age hike on-foot for days up and down mountains in the heat of the Philippines day. Perhaps we’re nowhere close to being on the same page in this discourse? If I have it straight, you sip beer up in Luzon while as an ostensible “senior” whereas I struggle daily hourly to support my wife’s 3rd replanting after all her “failures” so as to support my family after she finishes killing me.
Perhaps we have an ostensible ‘problem to communicate” ??
Ed;
Why do you feel the need to repeat in your comment the comment that you are going to comment on? Do you feel that the abnormal people won’t know what you’re talking about? If that is the case, your plan worked.
Plus if you do try and paraphrase; at least try and get some of it right without adding in extra, dear lord you read what I said, then you wrote what I said and yet you still got it wrong. RICE was the only thing scattered, don’t moralize using incorrect facts. It lessens you as a person.
But have a nice day anyway!
Paul, in a long thread such as this it’s difficult for anyone to know exactly what is being commented on unless it’s specified. Hence that’s exactly what I did, to ensure that there was no doubt what I was commenting on, no more no less, nor did I make any attempt nor intend to paraphrase anything you wrote.
What I did write was intended to further comment on and illustrate exactly the situation you (and I and others) encounter daily.
I’m at a total loss why you think I intended any personal slight, to the contrary, I was supporting what you wrote.
Paul, please you have a nice day too.
Paul said: “I don’t want to live where you drive that slow, as a brisk walk would get you there quicker.” LOL, I wish more people would take those walks.
Why do I see 21 year olds running either early in the morning or at noon? Where are all the old people? In the cemeteries Filipinos usually don’t pass until their in their 80ies.
I had to hunt and hunt to find an exercise place for my generation. Usually the exercise places are for 18 year olds. Those that want to be Arnold.
Rusty
Ed;
By all that’s holy of course I know what I wrote, and the reason is simple; “I WROTE IT” so save the superfluous typing.
Did I recommend that you walk to Eba? Nay I did not, what I intimated was that a brisk walk would be faster than driving the nation HWY at 15 KLH, and I recommend you doing that on a rainy day.
Ostensible (synonym for apparent) made no sense in the context in which it was used. I am nor apparently a senior at age 68 I am a senior.
I worked and saved and invested my entire life so that I could provide for my wife and two daughters here. If someone else did not plan for their elder years the way I did that is not my concern, don’t make me a bad guy for others shortcomings. I enjoy a cold adult beverage in the afternoon, and my having that subtracts nothing from my families well being or their ability to survive. The food is purchased first.
Come back and comment if you desire, but if you attempt again to twist my words to prove you argument you will not be blessed with the courtesy I am offering to you here.
My best advice is for you to skip anything I write (And know that I will write more) as we seem to disagree. Enjoy you day. I’m going to have a beer later and this exchange will never again cross my mind. Stay well!
Paul, again, my quoting the precise part of your posting is strictly to ensure that there can be no doubt as to what I’m commenting on, no more no less. It has nothing to do with whether _you_ know what you wrote. I don’t know why you take it so personally, since it was *NOT* in any way intended as a personal slight or derogatory comment against you. Again, to the contrary, I was in fact supporting and expanding on what you posted.
I have no doubt you well earned everything you enjoy and it’s good that you care able to enjoy the fruits of your life-time labours.
As to your “disagree” comment, I haven’t generally disagreed with your postings, in fact mostly to the contrary, nor am I “twisting” your words. I do however now disagree with your suggestion of any disagreement with what you wrote, which was NOT the case. Sigh.
The last time I drove 15 kph one of my riders said they’ve never watched flowers bloom.
Rusty
It wasn’t I who wrote “on a national highway”. The areas (in the mountainous part of Mindanao) where I typically encounter rice spread to dry on the road may become a national highway at some point when they eventually complete blasting, expanding, and concreting all the various boulder-strewn mudpits some years from now. Right now it’s not. When climbing steep grades, it’s hard to go much faster than about 15kph in the lowest 4×4 gear, at least in the vehicle I had available to drive. It just won’t go faster that steep uphill. Similarly when descending these steep grades it behooves one to again do so in the lowest 4×4 gear, rather than rely on overheating brakes and have them fail at the worst possible time. People who try to negotiate such stretches much faster typically learn the hard way that too-high-speed downhill on steep and very windy grades is often fatal; gravity will win.
Some readers may be thinking all roads are flat straight stretches of national highway where you can go much faster, but such aren’t was I was commenting about.
What you replied makes sense. I think most people just assume all roads are basically flat. Well, except in places on Luzon.
Rusty
Once while driving from Maine to Miami, I made a wrong turn in Boston and soon found myself stuck in an never ending circle of a roundabout. After about six laps the folk song “MTA” was firmly fixed in my head. I finally found a way to exit the darn thing and was happy that I would not end up like “The man named Charlie”. it was somewhere in New Hampshire that I finally realized that I was on my way back to Maine. Exiting the highway to reverse course and get a new heading in the right direction went as expected and I was soon on my way back toward Miami. “Driving down the road I got a feeling I should Have ben home Yesterday” when fear suddenly hit that I might hit that Damned roundabout again and end up like Charlie and never return!
Hey Joe;
Where most become intimidated by the Rotary is they lack a critical fact: The car in the Rotary has the right-of-way over cars entering. Now I got confused in England because the Round-about goes to the right. Oh damn!!!
y first encounter with the roundabout or rotatory was in Bermuda, Also to the right, but trying to remember to drive that 50 cc suicycle on the right side of the left side of the road was almost my demise before I ever got to it. I too have driven in Italy, Puerto Rico, Spain and numerous other Foreign countries, But I try to avoid driving in Any country where the Brits have contaminated the Rules of the road! Hahaha
Hey Joe;
The American Virgin Islands, where you drive on the left (Brit Style), but in a normal style American car with left hand drive. But very easy to park.
Chevy Chase driving in London in “European Vacation” will always make me laugh.
“look kids, there’s Bog Ben” always makes me chuckle.
Cheers
AJ UK
I love driving, no matter what country.
Driving is a passion for me, be it car or motorcycle, i enjoy both.
Driving here in Philippines isn’t worse that other places, just a little different.
I just don’t expect that other drivers follow rules.
I have said in other posts, that mostly i find drivers here more flexible and willing to let you out from a little side street. In most countries you won’t get a chance to get out, but here – just a little wink with the eyebrow, or nod the head… and you’re out.
Sure a lot drive like they have broken a leg or/and a arm….No lights, no signal, stopping here and there….get out right in front of you, even there’s not a cars behind you….i could go on, but heck…It’s fun to nag other people in the traffic, i get “air” and it’s the same in all other countries i have been driving in.
I enjoy driving here, i feel good when i drive, both kind of vehicles.
Axel
You made my point far better than I have seemed to have done. We know it is not the safest place to drive, but that is the adventure in it. So I must agree with you. As a person who has driven a car on every continuant (Is Antarctica a continuant? I’ve not driven there.) But we each see things through our frame of reference so no one is wrong.
Hi Paul,
I loved your article. While my International driving is currently limited to USA and Mexico, I found the non USA driving worked just fine as long as one chooses to be flexible.
The Biggest Vehicle has the right-of-way rule works pretty well. Also, the use of horns to signal intention works pretty well as long as one doesn’t need blood-pressure pills….and can relax about it.
I was thinking I wouldn’t drive in the Philippines because transportation is so available…but you’ve resurrected the possibility that I might reconsider.
Thanks!
Bryon Watts;
A decision we must each make on our own. If you read the comments here you will see that there is disagreement on the subject and I’ll be the first to admit they have a valid point of view, but whether my opinion or someone else’s, only yours matters. Happy Motoring!
Hi Paul, I love driving here your right about Manila can be very hard sometimes
I see a lot of motorcycle accidents lately, but driving in the province were you live is very enjoyable, in Manila it’s every man for himself traffic jams can be
Frustrating no rules it’s not like driving back home in England were there are
More speed cameras and don’t forget we drive on the other side of the road back
Home ,thanks for another great post Paul Derek in pasig.
Derek;
I once drove in Tokyo, using your side of the road, and be it they have strict traffic rules the sheer volume of traffic is what makes it difficult. Any and all large city I try to avoid, mainly once you arrive the only way to park your car is to buy the one that is there and have it towed.
Manila cracked me up, I was at a traffic light, the light turned green, and I found myself going the wrong way on a now one way street (Changed the week before without the need for signage) The traffic Warden was going to cite me, but I could not stop laughing and traffic was backing up to the other side of the city. He let me go.
I love driving in and around Manila it’s like legalized bump cars. By the way Paul got you beat on the license card, I’ve been waiting 10 months for mine now!
Tony;
Ten months? You are my newest hero. I just shrug and say; “Oh well.” Gross Tonnage works extremely well in Mega Manila
I like driving . Would be even more enjoyable if the dickheads in Dipolog city would stop cutting corners and trying to come up your inside on a bike especially when you stop for someone at a pedestrian crossing and they nearly kill the walker. No sense driving at night here. They can afford gas but not a bulb so i have to go home early. Three filipinos are dead after coming round a blind bend on their bike on the wrong side of the road and killing themselves on the front of my jeep in 2010(bag of rice in a bad place,bag of fish on the handlebars). Being a foreigner supposedly rich (bollocks) and with the collusion of the dickhead police ,guess who paid for the funerals and the lechon baboy as well as the damage to my jeep?? The LTO don’t know what the fcuk they are doing either. (still waiting for 2015 reg. and new plates haha). Signed ex-taxi driver 😎
John Phillpott;
I can see where that would leave a sour taste in your mouth. I’m sorry to hear about something like that happening to you. But did you stop driving here or see it as an unavoidable tragedy? As I said in another comment, if this is the way as a nation they choose to drive than all I can do is follow their lead and survive. I also avoid when I can the night driving since all must (If they turn the lights on at all) use the High Beam for some reason.
Good luck in the future.
The third party insurance ain’t worth the paper it’s written on .
John Phillpott;
Is that the insurance you buy when you are allowed to get the new tag?
Hi Paul,
I used to love having a driver for our Pajero, as I sat in the back and I don’t really care to sit in the front seat while my husband now drives. Recently I got my license so that I could drive my own car farther than just around the neighborhood.
It’s a used orange and white two-tone creamsicle colored Kia with automatic transmission, a big stereo, a killer aircon, a blue-flocked nodding dog on the dash, and lots of groovy decals.
I really like driving here too, although I’m only gradually making way way from the provincial towns into the city. I feel that your reflexes get sharper because driving here is sort of like that old video game called “frogger” As long as you stay alert and drive defensively and fearlessly you’ll be alright.
Sometimes I’ll make a mistake, and without thinking look around for a cop who might have seen me, but then I smile and remember that there are no cops or rules. No road rage here either which is great.
For me it’s practice, practice, practice and enjoy the ride.
Queenie
Queenie:
You do understand! All mistakes off the lesser variety are forgiven, even if the police do stop you, if you freely admit he’s right (Even if he’s wrong) smile and be polite and promise never to do that again, I’m sent on my way with a wave and in 20 years never a ticket. (Well there was that on the Subic Freeport, a PHP 200.00 fine and 15 minutes out of my retired day) The charge: Swifting in a non swifting zone. (45 in a 25 zone)
Enjoy that liberating driving and that cool sounding Kia (Not a Kia No-Pride I hope) remember driving rule number one, there is no rule two!
I love driving. I have driven across the states twice and in a few different countries. Driving here is an adventure. Granted I have only been driving over here for about three months. I recently (one week ago) bought a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage G4. I got this car based on some reviews that I read. One or two reviews was from here on LIP. We wanted our own car but really appreciated driving my brother in laws Hyundai Getz. I don’t mind the dogs, chickens, goats, carabao carts, or kuligligs. I dont even mind the cutting of people off in traffic. The only thing that I have really questioned is the use of lights at night. When I am on the national highway doing 80 to 100 kph nothing makes for a more interesting trip to come up on a motorcycle doing 20 kph with no lights on. I still haven’t wrapped my head around that one yet. Its a given that some just do not have working lights, but when they flash their lights on after I have either swerved or braked really hard to avoid a new hood ornament. it makes me wonder the reasoning for not using them is.
Gary M;
I have the 2014 Mirage G4, the first month I had the daytime running lights installed at the dealership, they are six bright LED lights by the fog lamp on both sides and automatically come on when the car is started and go off when using head or fog lights. Best purchase yet. So even if their lights are off (And damn if I understand why they do it, unless they think they are saving their batteries). Mine are on and they can see me. The driving part that cracks me up is my people think their half of the road is in the middle? Or the large SUV that flies by a line of ten cars and then pulls off the road for no apparent reason half a click up the way. Figure that one.
I have seen the SUV maneuver many times. I always just scratch my head and laugh a little to myself. The rule of the road for when you are taking your lane out of the middle is to flash your headlights to alert other drivers of your idiotic driving. I have had this happen to me a few times. The best was on a bridge that has pretty sharp corner in the middle of it.
Gary M:
The flashing of the headlights or the emergency flashes are the end all to end all problems when violating the law. You left Manila at 9 am for a 10 am appointment in Olongapo City? Flash those lights and drive like hell. Don’t forget to stop for a snack.
Gary M
Mitsubishi Attrage or Mirage G4 in the Philippines
According to Masaaki Yamada, senior adviser for Mitsubishi Motors Philippines, the car will use the Mirage G4 name in the Philippine market only, as the Attrage has a negative connotation in the Filipino language.[68] “Attrage” sounds too much like atras, Filipino for “going backwards”. I found this out yesterday
The Mirage G4 gets tremendous gas mileage. It is a little small but not that much smaller than the Lancer we have. I really didn’t think anyone would have a bigger vehicle, except companies, that a Mirage type.
I like multicabs. But I’m in the minority.
Rusty
Hi Paul, I agree with you on the daytime running lights, that was introduced by law in Sweden in the 70´s so all new cars imported to the country from that year on to this day has the lights installed from the factory. You can definitely see the other car approaching even with brightest sunlight…could be a life saver in many aspects…I have driven around Europe for many years, gotten used to “rotarys” as you call them. Here in PH I have driven a few times and in Manila I decided I was going to be as patient as possible..it all worked out, just have to accept that’s it´s a way of life here…. in the province (Bacolod City) it´s not too bad, I´ll never complain about the traffic here….it is what it is…..not venturing too far from the topic…I went to the LTO here in Bacolod City to renew my licence…I was expecting to wait for a few months but was issued a new card right away, the whole process took less than 45 minutes!! I saw a sign stating that there were not issuing new cards but I thought that was for new licence holders, so I´m happy it worked out for me, and hope the situation for those who are still waiting will be resolved soon.
Richie R.
Richie R.
They could very well save lives, as they are becoming more popular here I do notice the other cars, and pay attention to them. And thank god they don’t flash. (lol) Remaining calm and keeping your head on a swivel will help you drive better here, it is your responsibility to watch out for your own safety. You are on your own here and that is why I like driving here.
In New England (USA) they are called a Rotary, the UK it’s a roundabout, and other places I’ve heard them called Traffic Circles but by ant name, they are fun to drive through and watch the other drivers who look like a deer in the headlights.
Hi Richie, you had commented “Hi Paul, I agree with you on the daytime running lights, that was introduced by law in Sweden in the 70´s so all new cars imported to the country from that year on to this day has the lights installed from the factory. You can definitely see the other car approaching even with brightest sunlight…could be a life saver in many aspects”
That reminds me of the time I was in the US on a teaching contract and had a weekend off, prompting me to guide my rented car into Washington DC for my first and only ever visit there. It was a dull gloomy day, so, pursuant to law in the province which issued my drivers license, I turned on my headlights. I was promptly stopped for that “infraction”. The officer was kind enough to explain that in Washington DC one may only turn on headlights during the daytime if part of a funeral procession”. Live and learn! Common sense is typically uncommon. Must be some historical or perhaps hysterical “reason” in DC.
That reminds me of the laws in some parts dictating that when a horse-and-buggy approaches, the motorist is obligated to stop and dismantle his car until the buggy has passed. Then you can put your car back together and be on your merry way. 🙂 Driving in Menonite or Amish counties can be trying.
Here in the Philippines we try not to run over the neighbors chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, and other assorted animals grazing by and thus on the road. Always give way to carabaw.
Hi Ed, so much can be said about your experiences in DC, but I´ll say this, common sense from the officer seems to be absent here in that case..it was almost the same thing that happened to me while driving in the UK with my car a few months after the daylight running lights were implemented in Sweden….almost everyone driving in the opposite direction started blinking their lights at me there was nothing I could do…and when a police officer pulled me over I explained to him that it was the law in Sweden and that I did not know how to disconnect the daylight running lights…..ok he let me go but warned that other patrol officers further down may stop me too. I managed to depart the UK “unscathed” OK fast forward 5 years later…I couldn’t believe what I was seeing on the motorway…… many cars now had daylight running lights even though there was no law in the UK for it…common sense prevailed in that case
After driving for one week I said no more. I had someone who tried to jump in front of the car when they saw I was a foreigner. Then we found out it was an attempt to get a pay off. I was very lucky because the person that was on-board with us was an official from here and when the gentleman jumped close to the car he started screaming like an idiot and never even touched the car. The nice government official talked with the police officers and told them the whole story and this car crasher was arrested and released the same day with warning. Now we take other means to get where we need too. Be careful people, if a foreigner is thrown in jail you never know when he or she will be released. I’ve seen many horror stories so far. Seems we have very little rights in this nation so be careful.
John Wallace;
Precautions and some more Precautions, tint the crap out of your windows so they have no idea who’s driving, and add no stickers to your car that would divulge your nationality. Sometimes common sense will work in ones favor.
My tint is super cool dark, which works great when I’m out of my known area. After a while they might recognize me by my car though:)
Queenie;
If they know you they won’t mess with you.
I was in the car business back in the states all my life sure enjoyed driving there…Here… I have always used local transportation no insurance needed …. no license needed no upkeep (repairs)….. no accident responsibility .. and much much cheaper to go that way…….But can understand in some cases a car or cycle is needed
Lenny;
If cost vice convenience is the end goal then I must agree with your choice. BTW I sold Mo-Par’s 18 the early 90’s in ST. Petersburg Florida, there really is an ass for every seat.
But I respect your decision to prefer public transportation there are times I still use it myself.
Hey Paul, the thing about the why they don’t use their lights I asked the tricycle
Driver his reason it’s saves his battery, and be warned if you ever have a accident
With one don’t expect him to have insurance, I’m lucky never been in a accident
With one but seen one last month brand new suv was hit by a tricycle, asked my
Wife what they were saying the tricycle driver was saying to the suv driver you have insurance don’t you why hassle me lol ,only in the Philippines.
Maybe Japanese motorcycles are assembled differently in the Philippines. I always thought that motorcycles had a magneto for charging the battery. I learn something new every day.
Gary M
I thought you knew, that’s the first thing they sell.
Derek;
All along I knew they were saving the batteries, thanks for verifying that. (LOL)
Actually…if you’ve traveled the world or USA at all, you’d know that Filipino drivers are actually pretty good. They’re even better when (most) foreigners let the natives do the driving. That’s why I take the jeepney or taxi and leave the driving to them.
Mark Russell;
Filipinos are good drivers!!! I think that was the point of my article, and I’m still learning from them. Example, my 30 year old son-in-law takes the highway to San Fernando drives at 120 KPH, all is fine with the ladies. I drive, licensed for 52 years, never been in a moving accident and drive a fully insured car. I hit 100 KPH, and it’s slow down Daddy! Do they know something?
I’ve been driving in Manila the past 4 years and just purchased a new Landcruiser. It is true, the bigger more expensive looking vehicle gets right of way.
Hardest part is when i go back to the US and have to remember to stop at those six sided red signs or not plow through pedestrians on a walkway.
Don;
In the states I have to relearn all that I’ve ignored for 30 years. Now that is no fun, but if I visit my brothers in Boston, I’m driving fine. (LOL)
Hi Paul
I am the author of the article/blog that I think you referred to at the start of your piece. If I am wrong then ……
I appreciate that you, like me, employ some “journalistic licence” in your musings but I am saddened to read “What we all need is just one more whining foreigner on a blog site complaining about how the Filipino’s are such bad drivers it’ll (sic) make me sick” as your intro to the piece.
My article is purely observational and many Filipinos have agreed with the gist of the story. It was intended as a light hearted look at a part of life here.
As you say in your replies to comments “no one is right”. I respect your opinion but your use of the words “whining” and “make me sick” are a tad over the top (in my opinion)!
I see your point, and others (in comments) make the same point, that driving is or can be fun here. I agree to a point as (a) rarely do I witness an actual collision and (b) the traffic is such low speed that a competent driver can avoid a collision.
However it is not fun when you witness the consequences of a high speed collision. I have in mind the crumpled remains of a sedan car on its side in a sugar cane field between Bacolod and Victorias. The family of 5 in that car were all killed. The driver had been overtaking dangerously on the national highway and hit a bus head on. Undoubtedly a result of the bad driving I refer to in my piece. Of course the same kind of accident occurs in the UK and US but often the speeding driver is either drunk or stoned or both.
I am content that all my Filipino friends and others here in Bacolod actually agree with what I wrote. They do not find it either easy or fun to drive here. Nor do they “like” driving here. There are nearly 7000 members of a Facebook group called “I Park Like An IDIOT Bacolod”. Members, who are locals, post in there to highlight not only bad, inconsiderate parking but also bad driving in Bacolod. Thus it appears I am not the only one who is “whining”.
If any of your readers wish to form their own opinion on my article it can be found at [email protected]
Take care Paul and it would be great to meet up sometime and carry on this conversation! Give my regards to Bob!
Stephen Bentley;
I write tongue in cheek, I do not feel for one second that I’m a journalist so I can write for Bob without a license. You assumed it was about you, and as I’ve do not know you nor have I read anything by you I’ll tell you that it’s not you that I speak of.
When I realized that it had upset you and more so my using the term whining (Again I never read your blog) but being the nice guy that I am, I will in the future use an old sailor’s term “Snibling”
I will stick to my original premise that “I” like driving here, no matter how many horrific accidents you may have witnessed. If you disagree and do not like driving here, why would you assume that your values would be the same as mine? Also please note the humorous responses from the other 30 or so visitors to this site who know that I write with humor and only about the things I have knowledge about or have personally experienced. I can only hope that this will make you feel vindicated and all is well in your world once more.
OK Paul I have to accept that you did not read my article. If that is the case then I am sure you won’t mind sending me a link to the article you refer to. You have (or at least LiP has) my email address so you can send the link to me there. I would be interested in reading what made you “sick”.
As to upsetting me – how could you if you had not read my article? I made it clear at the outset that I was assuming it was me…..
An unfortunate coincidence perhaps?
I don’t know what you mean by “assume that your values would be the same as mine”. I was expressing an opinion – same as you did.
Vindication is not an issue here! And all is well in my world thank you – personally I don’t find comments like that at all helpful but there you go – it must be a case of a common language shared by two different cultures!
“Snibling”? I must google that one!
I await the link to the whining article that made you “sick”. Have a nice day!!
Nobody here is under any obligation to send you anything. Paul did not say anything negative about you.
OK Bob – it was a request is all! I will draw my own conclusions – right or wrong!
I appreciate nothing negative was said about me. I have said nothing negative about Paul as a person.
Let’s leave it at that eh?
Stephen Bentley;
It is good to see you have a sense of humor, because when you wrote; “I will draw my own conclusions – right or wrong!”
I smiled and thought: “Isn’t that how this conversation started?”
Stephen Bentley;
As you requested I passed on your greeting to Bob Martin. He asked me who you were? I said; “Bob, exactly what I was wondering too.” My link is an original thought I came up with about over the last twenty years of living here in the Philippines. The link includes old curmudgeons sitting at the Legion or the VFW moaning and whining about every facet of life in the Philippines, to include driving. Now it has progressed to whiny bloggers (Of course not you) since the inception of the internet. My first question to you is: In your blog, were you snibling? If not, then why you were offended? But if your feeling were hurt by my comment, allow me to apologize, and to thank you for reading my article, maybe someday I will read yours.
Stephen Bentley;
In the interest of fairness I went to your site at 0715 21 July 2015 and for the first time read your posting. I found it to be humorous and interesting. I have no knowledge of Bacolod but the driving in the Philippines in general was spot on. Since we both pointed out similar peccadilloes in local driving, which I did not interpret as whining or (Snibling) in your post for if I had I would be forced to paint myself with the same brush. I will say I enjoyed your post.
That’s it for me, blog on Sir!
Stephen Bentley;
My opinion of your sycophant friend who also posted after you will remain the same. A non-relevant.
Paul
I don’t know the guy. He is not a friend of mine. I note what you say about him. I thought his opinion was as relevant as yours, mine or anyone else that has commented on your post.
Paul
Thank you for your gracious comments. The word “snibling” has me baffled! I googled it to death and also checked a list of US Navy slang but can’t find it listed anywhere. Are you sure it’s not a corruption of “snivelling”?
I feel like a ‘one dee ten tee’ for not finding it!! I’m sure as an ex ‘matelot’ you will understand that one!
Cheers – as us Brits say.
Stephen:
The main reason it sound like a corrupted version of sniveling is because I am the one who corrupted it by typing faster than my brain was working.
I spent time with the Royal Navy doing fleet OPS out of Portsmouth and a year on Diego Garcia BIOT, made some lifelong friends and have gone to the UK and spent time with them over the years and four of them invaded Puerto Rico when I lived there, the Island never fully recovered. I was both US Navy and US Merchant Marine sailing the globe for 40 years.
In the interest of honesty I had to look up matelot. But Google worked for me.
Stephen;
He became insulting whereas neither you nor I had, so within my mind that will render anyone a non relevant to me.
I quote; “But I do get tired of some extremely opinionated people rambling on and on…” And he top it with his condescending; “I respect all things Filipino” (I paraphrased that part) But I assume you know what I mean, it’s that same as someone saying: “Some of my best friends are……..”
Hahaha I am so pleased you found matelot via Google! Thanks for clearing up snible/snivel. Funny! Good to hear you spent time with a proper navy in Pompey! Never served myself but have an affinity as grandpop served in both WW in the Royal Navy and was sunk on HMS Prince of Wales off Singapore in 1943. Luckily he survived.
Mr. Paul T. I appreciate another good read. Have driven in Puerto Rico and the Azores.. now, have you heard of “Fall River slide” and “no directional light Newport, Rhode Island” driving? LOL.
No directional lights are ever used in Rhode Island.:) Unlike Paul though, I could never drive in Boston!
Queenie;
Born there I kinda had to.(LOL)
Jose;
My brother lives in New Bedford and I was stationed in Newport and went through Fall River every day.
Mr. Paul T. I am sure you’ve encountered a lot of “pleasant driving” while driving through “Newpoht”, “Foh Rivah” and “New Beige”. 🙂 Cheers.
Jose;
I was riding a Norton Commando 850cc, it was nothing but fun. (lol)
Paul:
One of the things that I noticed while I was there for 2 weeks in April was that the mayhem seemed to have an organization to it, but I couldn’t figure it out so I have no interest in driving until I do understand it.
The second thing was that I saw only 1 mishap. A motorcycle with a family on it swerved on the pavement after a rain and went down. No one was hurt but the baby was scared.
Having said that, I told my daughter and her mother that I would prefer they ride the bus and not the tricycle between the village and the market about 10 miles away. I have seen too often the two lane highway made into 4 or 5 lane when the two buses pass and squeeze two tricycles and a motorcycle into the same 2 lanes.
Yes, it seems crazy traffice, but surprisingly few accidents. I think from what I have seen the times I have visited you have a good point. I wish I could share a 47 second movie (mp4) taken from the bus of the town center.
LeRoy;
I agree with you that is a little far on a major road on a Trike, the bus would be better. I’ve not quite found the logic, but I have found the rhythm I just returned home from lunch and I was cut off twice on the Zig-Zag, popped open a chilled one and smiled.
Hi Paul
I don’t mind driving in the Philippines either. The only thing that I have to do it take two or three days to get back in the rhythm of the roads. My wife thinks that I suffer from Tourettes syndrome for those first few days!
One thing that made me roar with laughter was the following article in a Korean newspaper. How dare they say the driving in PI is bad. The worst driving I have ever seen was in Korea. Every morning nearly everyone in the office had a horror story to tell, every morning!
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150526000650
Keep up the good writing.
AJ UK
AJ UK;
When you mentioned Tourette’s syndrome coffee flooded out my nose, that sir was funny! But you are 100% right about finding the rhythm of the road (Well put BTW) because even my first time in the UK I had to get that before I felt comfortable on your roads. It was explained to me that the British drove on the left side of the road going back to the days of Knights passing so they could shake hands using their right hand (Sword Hand) then I got there ant thought, wow you must build some very thin cars to do that? (I’m sorry but I have no “LINK” to verify that. Cheers to you!
Just glad I had my breakfast before the vision of coffee flooding out of your nose was implanted into my already congested brain.
I’m certainly glad you don’t have a link to that!!
AJ UK;
It was not a pretty sight! but it was still funny the second time I read your comment! (No coffee that time)
Stephen I totally agree with your comment. I always look forward to Bob’s common-sense articles and of course Peters humorous writings but I do get tired of some extremely opinionated people rambling on and on…
We are all entitled to have our own opinions and be able to “air” our frustrations honestly, in most cases it is not whining it is speaking honestly. But of course some people see it as whining..
I have lived in the Philippines for many years and love the country and it’s friendly people. I have always stood up for what I believe is right and know respect is earned, respect is not always a right. Say it as it is….of course some people won’t like it but at the end of the day who cares…. It’s no different here in the Philippines, sometimes one has to take a stand without being a complete moron of course.
As for me, driving in the Philippines it seems I am running-the-gauntlet every time I drive onto the road, then again this is only “my” opinion.
Hi Jack thanks for that…. I was beginning to think I was in the ‘mad house’! My article was about Bacolod drivers and many Bacolodians have contacted me to agree with my article and some say it is worse here than in Manila!
As you rightly say, I can only express my honest opinion. If that is ‘whining’ so be it!
Personally I do not see what there is to “really like driving” here in Bacolod – using just one example from my article – it is commonplace for taxis to hang a left into the street you are on but do so on the wrong side of the road so coming straight at you! They won’t stop! You have to! What the hell is there to “like” about that?
Be safe!
Jack;
Facebook has Messenger for private conversations, but then I might just be rambling on and on………..
I also love the roads in the Philippines. I ride a crappy 110cc motorcycle in Dumaguete where we have no traffic lights. My horn doesn’t work but I never need to use it, I’ve never had an accident or come close to one, if the roads are really clogged I just explore a new side street, I follow the pecking order of Ceres liners (always let them go first), SUVs (probably doing their lipstick, let them go first too), Cars (brakes are probably bad, don’t test them), big motorcycles (sometimes likle to own the road), jeepneys (excellent drivers), motors like mine then pedicabs.
All in all everyone cooperates and those who don’t only annoy the unadjusted foreigners – adding the occasional giggle to almost every journey.
Andy;
I can see that you have figured it out, The laugh is what makes the trip worthwhile
every person experience is different, going to work-home every day during rush hours downtown davao im pretty sure is no fun for anyone 🙂 but as a tourist or a retired etc the POV could be different.. the question is, can it be better? or this is as good as it gets? should people just settle for this mess because its “safer” than other countries?
Frederico;
True it can not be pleasant for everyone, but smiling can make the trip more pleasant.
Bob , being an ex-professional truck driver & partly Truck Driving Instructor wayback in Atlas Mining in Lutopan , Toledo City, Cebu, P.I. & a long time CDL truck driver in US that I can easily judge that you are a good mixer to play & adjust yourself with the local driving behavior , well it’s really tough as compared here in States , it takes a little while before feeling comfortable in driving & learned how to tap your horn every time you pass another vehicle or alarming the pedestrians which we seldom tap or blow horn in States & getting familiar in going to places is also a help . I am proud of you to admit that driving vehicle in our country has become a pleasure, God continue to bless you & family safely .
Ha ha, thank you Garcia Ben.
I drove trucks & buses in whole Saudi Arabia for almost 5 years , from Riyadh City as our base going to Khamis Musayt & Najaran , during those years in 79 & 80’s . I only read 2 signs for speed limit , after leaving 5 or so kms. away from the City , the first traffic sign in English as “RESUME SPEED “, the next , about 5 kms. before entering a city or a small village as ” SLOW DOWN , POPULATED AREA ” , that’s it , no mentioned any speed limit , nothing , sky is the limit , for me it’s the worst place that I experienced in driving .>> In downtown city driving it’s easy to get lost as all street names & numbers are all in Arabic & most buildings has the same color & shape , worst are the cops with non English speaking only the high ranking officers.>> Almost all Saudi as local drivers are wearing a scarf over their head covering both corner vision of their eyes & ears causing a tunnel vision & deaf like a donkey >> when driver is talking they hold the steering wheel in one hand while the other are busy waving like an orchestra conductor .>> Almost all Saudi truck drivers drove European trucks such as Mercedes Benz , Volvo, etc, & most expat or other nationalities as company drivers use American made trucks , & the Saudi drivers always gave us a hard time as they easily recognized the US trucks at a distance even during the night as all American trucks such as Mack , Kenworth , Peterbilt , etc . , are equipped with five (5) uniformed marker lights on top outside the frontal portion of the driver’s cab while all European trucks has only two (2) marker lights , when meeting on the straight road or closely following us they never switch to dim lights , just mentioned is the most common bad doings by the local drivers & more to harass us , they don’t consider us as their truck driver buddies . >> ( EX-Transport Gen. Foreman , BNG Company , Riyadh, KSA ). >> hopefully at this time they are improving now to become more civilized.
Garcia Ben;
In the UAE my friend and I were on the road and he was driving, a local guy crossed two lanes and sideswiped the car I was in. My friend got the ticket as the police explained that if he had not been in the UAE no accident could have happened.
Paul Thompson wrote … and I just can’t avoid adding a couple of comments ….
>Paul: “What we all need is just one more whining foreigner on a blog site complaining about how the Filipino’s are such bad drivers it’ll make me sick”
[…]
>Paul: “I have no fear of driving anywhere on the Islands and I’ve driven in Manila, but that is not something I’ll ever repeat. What the hell was I thinking?”
I’d be inclined to bet that the vast majority of negative comments about Philippine drivers relate to the greater Metro Manila area and immediately surrounding environs as you yourself seemingly mention.
>Paul: “When traveling using GPS out on the island, no one told your provider that the road was changed to a one-way last year.”
Yes, that reminds me of the day my friend said “take this street” and I was captured on the other end. It had suddenly become an unmarked one-way street just for between 2 and 2:30pm that particular day. Surprise, join the line of captured motorists and Pay up! The MMDA were extra hungry that day and were quite clear about it and proud of their nice trap. That was in Manila of course, I think it was 2004.
I recall commenting before that while driving *in* Manila is a nightmare even for Pinoys, driving ‘in the province’ is no problem. It can be a little scary on steep boulder-strewn mountain carabaw-paths barely accommodating your wheelbase, sheer rock on one side with a bunch of soil on top just waiting to slide down upon you with the sheer cliff to your right. If you take your eyes off the foot or 3 of sticky mud around the boulders you’re slipping off of, you might see some tiny dots down at the bottom of the cliff – those are peoples houses way down there. Eyes back on the “road” now. Enjoy!
The good news is that within a couple more years they’ll finally complete blasting and concreting that particular destruction zone into a new national highway.
In the meantime, we all, including Pinoys, respect the conditions and each other and mostly cooperate and give-way as makes sense. Then again, this is way in the province up in the mountains where most people actually display some common sense and survival skills.
ED;
Manila is a large city and they are always a terrible place to have to drive, it a traffic thing. Out in the province is where I see the best driving, even if just trying to avoid the rice drying on the road as a Victory Liner is heading straight towards your windshield.
I agree that out in the province more courtesy is displayed.
Like most all American males, I considered myself to be the best driver on the roads or racetrack, bar no-one. OK, I rarely ever won a race but thats beside the point.
I personally consider the drivers there to be some of the best I have ever seen. I have but a small amount of the time you have spent there, but I have yet to have ever seen one car wreck there. We have friends in Cebu that take us all over the place, and Jay always impresses me as to how incredibly close he can get his right front bumper to a car, tricycle or whatever and never hits it, thats hard to do from the left drivers seat, get less than 1 inch away consistently and not hit whatever it is he is passing. It also impresses me the way they orchestrate letting others in front of them, or let someone make a turn from a side road to get in front of you and never have to slow down any. Would be interesting to put some of them into a 1200hp car, and see what they could do.
Bill S;
I’m sure we all think we’re the best driver, until we ride with a Filipino and become humbled. They have the ability to do everything a westerner was taught not to do but do it and make it work. I remain amazed.
The worst traffic in the world , Philippines
Steve Atillo;
If you’ve never driven in Tokyo, Rome or Naples, Boston or Los Angeles the crown jewel of traffic “Bangkok Thailand” plus 50 other places I could name, then you right, the Philippines has the worst traffic, but the drivers are pretty good!
Mr Bob I dont agree with you
Steve Atillo;
Actually that would be “Mr. Paul” you don’t agree with, I wrote the article, Mr. Bob owns the website. If you disagree that is you right as a person. Thank you for commenting.
Given that I did not write the article, how do you even know what I think about it, Steven Atillo?
People say that citizens in countries like the Middle East and Asia are bad drivers, but if they can drive as fast as they do with as many people as there are on the roads, with the roads the condition they are….. they are not bad drivers the are very skilled drivers! lol
Craig Frese;
I agree with that Craig skilled is the word!
Hi Paul, I’ve seen a lot of funny things while driving here like a tricycle
Tow
Hi Paul, I’ll start that again I’ve seen a lot of funny things while driving here like a tricycle towing a jeepney ,i had to look twice at that wish I had a camera
Also a dog sat on the back of a motorcycle in rush hour traffic in ortigas
You see different things everyday, it’s more fun in the Philippines.
Derek in pasig.
Derek:
I would have paid to see a trike towing a Jeepney, that is classic.
Paul, it is easy for one to continue sniping at people who don’t agree with some of your comments, just let it go and move on, I have. For your reference I am my own man, make my own decisions and I am not a friend of Mr Bentley I only agreed with his recent post as I am sure others have. Cheers, have a nice day!
Jack;
Nice to hear from you, but who are you?
Me again Paul
I arrived in Chennai last night on business and, having had a 10 minute taxi ride from my hotel to the office I am visiting, there is no way on earth that I would criticise driving in the Philippines. The SAS motto of “Who Dares Wins” is very appropriate on the roads here.
It could also be applied in China. When I was visiting Dalian a few years ago I actually let out a scream that I was trying to stifle when being driven due to a rather large lorry heading towards the door of the taxi where I was sitting. Somehow it missed but no amount of SMB was going to calm me after that incident.
Tagay
AJ UK
Derek;
Hong Kong is the only place I’ve driven in China, except for the traffic it’s really not bas, but the horror stories I’ve heard about the mainland scare me. (But I’d try it once)
It is good that the majority of the people are so nice here. Can you imagine the chaos/accidents they’d have since they don’t enforce traffic laws.
Agree 100%
Rusty Bowers’
That my friend is a very good point!
I’m late to the conversation, but here goes anyway.
Regarding the difference in roundabouts in the UK vs nearly everywhere else, I once drove a busload of folks, mostly soldiers, from Frankfurt Germany to Waterloo, Belgium. They were a mixed bag of Americans, Germans and Brits. First roundabout I came to, I cranked the wheel to the right and hit the gas to merge with traffic. Every Brit on board screamed and braced themselves for the crash they knew was about to happen. When nothing happened, they all looked kinda sheepish. One of them said “Sorry. Forgot where we were.”
Back to the topic of the article, the only accident I’ve actually seen was a truck that fell off the road on the Nueva Ecija side of Balete (Dalton) Pass. No idea what happened. My guess is someone going up touched his crucifix and pulled out to pass on a blind curve.
I’ve made a career of driving trucks. Unfortunately, big rigs seem to be a magnet for any bad driver in the area. Driving a car, however, in the States or Europe can be relaxing. The problem drivers are out of place and can be recognized and usually avoided.
I don’t dislike driving in the Philippines, but I don’t enjoy it. I can’t relax like I can in Western countries. It’s sort of like driving a big truck. You’re always on the lookout for people who don’t think the laws of physics apply to them. I do like the freedom it gives us. We’re not dependent on other family members or lugging stuff around on public transit. I like using the tricycles for little jaunts around the neighborhood.
Take care,
Pete
Hi Pete’
The Brit story was funny; I can’t blame them for their fear. I had no trouble driving on the left, once I figured our which side of the car to enter. I understand that no everyone feels like I do about driving here, but after the structure of stateside driving and wondering where the next police trap will be I just enjoyed coming here and driving once more like we do in the Caribbean. True it’s not for all.
Entering on the passenger’s, rather driver’s, side of the car would be different. Really strange. Well, except for me. I have a driver. So I get into the right side of the car no matter what. Sort of like Gates except my driver is my wife. I just got tired of driving. So, now my Filipina driver does all the complaining. LOL. Relaxing time for me.
Rusty
Rusty;
In both Scotland and England the locals would shout; “Hey Yank” every time I tried to get in the car. Somehow they knew. My wife is my driver automatically if I have even one beer. My rule not hers.
Hey Pete
I identify totally with what you say about relaxing and driving having driven big trucks myself in the UK and Europe… also instructed guys before they obtained their HGV licence (trucks – rigid and articulated) as we call it in the UK. Roundabouts (rotaries) are easy if you know the rules hahaha! Give way to traffic ON IT to your right (UK) and vice versa in the States – hilarious to witness in the Cape Cod area where most had not got a clue!
Be safe!
Pete, do the laws of physics apply here? LOL. Since those driving cars/buses, on Bohol at least, usually drive around 50 kph there are few accidents.
Motorcycles are a different story. Motorcyclists, sadly, can be accidents waiting to happen. They not only drive foolishly but they’ll drive on a car’s right or left side.
Rusty
Stephen,
I adapted well to driving in the UK. Except for shifting gears with my left hand. That was rather odd.
Rusty,
I also think that the low speeds reduce the frequency and severity of accidents. The highest speed limit I’ve observed in the Philippines is 100 KPM, and few seem to drive faster than that.
I’ve not seen one, but I’ve heard of motorcycle accidents. I agree with your assessment.
Take care,
Pete
Pete, I never thought about shifting with my left hand. Wow, that would be a trick. Since my left hand is my dominate hand I’d be stuck in reverse all the time. I guess it would save on mileage.
The gears thing is why I always buy or rent an automatic now.
My first experience of driving a hire car in Europe saw the drivers door almost fly open due to me being used to changing gears with my left hand.
Not an experience I wish to replicate.
Cheers
AJ UK
AJ UK;
I picked up the rental at Gatwick, was going towards the “M” to connect to Scotland, went back to the airport and picked up an Automatic, to protect the lives of innocent British Citizen who would have been on the road with me. Yes I could have flown into Scotland but then I would have missed seeing the wonderful English countryside that sailors often miss.
Paul
Excellent article as usual and the comments have gone viral.
HA HA !
I had driven in RP a lot in the early 2000’s…Cordillera mountain road trips, Mt Mayon road trip, experienced the sluggish traffic in Manila.
I loved the driving (mostly) but my wife Daisy does most of the driving now. Her issue with me is that I drive too timidly and don’t honk the horn enough. I agree. Her cousin took out the emergency siren he had installed due to the recent crackdown on such devices. But wow when we were using it it really got people out of our way.
Three incidents caused me to refrain from as much driving as I had done before:
1. The big one, the kicker was that I had become complacent in following the driving techniques of the more daring drivers on South Expressway. Particularly the use of the right emergency pull off lane as a passing lane. One night I followed suit and did that too. Ahead of me in the headlights was a pedestrian hoofing down that same lane. I narrowly missed her braking and pulled back into the driving lane. The ramification of that still makes me shudder, her dead and me in jail forever. That began my timid phase…
2. Driving down a road in the used auto parts district in the southern area of Manila. I came to an unmarked T intersection. I turned left and was promptly whistled down to a stop by a entrepreneurial traffic warden. Daisy’s term for him is ALLIGATOR. He pointed out me his personal home made non regulation removable concrete block base no left turn sign. He demanded my stateside DL. I gave him a copy and my IDL which he confiscated. He demanded I go downtown to his shop, be charged and pay fine. Then Daisy became involved. She said a lot of Tagalog words in a tone and voice I had never heard before. Papers were exchanged. He ended up with a 100php note and I got my driving credentials back. We drove off. I was wiser.
3. I was driving slowly down the clogged EDSA. A bus stopped in the middle of the road in front of me. I checked my left lane which had a space for me and pulled into it. It seemed pretty normal to me. Again I was whistled down and accused of SWERVING. Daisy joined the conversation and the result became the same as in incident #2.
I feel there is traffic enforcement but you just don’t know when the ALLIGATOR is gonna jump out and bite you.
Daisy is an experienced an confident driver. I am a much better navigator than she is. We are happy with that.
I am much at hills than she is. She agrees with that too.
JADE
Jade;
I agree the pedestrian was your wake-up call, but you must wonder what the hell they were doing there? I keep a glove box full of copies of my driver’s license which I’ll hand out like candy. When accosted with the ire of the warden, I smile polity, explain that he must be right, ask what the fine could be (Sometimes it is negotiable) nine out of ten times I drive away with no ticket or roadside “Fine” But I’ll be damned if I’ll spend six months trying to find the desk my driver’s licences is sitting in.
If you feel better doing it your way, there is no way you could be wrong!
As for viral comments, some people get confused between humor and other things they don’t understand. Nothing but a thing!
We agreed Daisy and I the pedestrian hoofing down the side of the road was probably a bit mentally incompetent, judging by her stumbling gait. She was just not fully with it.
I still like driving there and I do but just choose my places and times. Full time navigator is my calling. Daisy copes much better than I do in crawling through bumper to bumper traffic. My frustration becomes immense. A beer calms the navigator.
The car is a ’96 Nissan Senora with manual transmission so hills can be a challenge for Daisy when she has to get underway from a stop going up a hill. I don’t like it much either…
She is concerned about driving an automatic in the US… I told her not to be so concerned. Following US rules of the road will be her challenge.
Jade
Jade;
I have sat many a time with a cold SMB in my hand as my wife motored on smartly.
I was in a situation on a narrow street with a Jeepney one of us was required to back up. I got out of my car and went to him and said; My A/C is working fine and I have a full tank of gas. He was the one that failed to yield and now I was willing to spend the day sitting there, I was not sure if his passengers were. I understand the reluctance to drive, I love the challenge.
Re driving , interesting comments
It has taken me 3 years to get used to driving here. Certainly it is one of the most frustrating countries in the World – I have driven in over 30 countries ( including Libya , Egypt, Sri Lanka and Algeria, which are all pretty bad ) and the Philippines is the worst , but why?
We all know driving is bad and it all comes down to discipline and enforcement which the Philippines has neither.
But, we cannot change that. Most Phi;ippno drivers do not know what they are doing wrong, nobody has told them !. All they get from us Foreigners is bad words, blowing of horns and flashing lights , They just look at us with an innocent expression and just smile !
I am guilty myself , but slowly, I am accepting what is IS – drive defensibly always .
Colin Richards;
A shipmate of mine (Filipino) we were waiting to report to the same ship in the UAE, We took a drive in San Francisco where he drove and drove quite well obeying the US style traffic rules. A year later we are both back home here in Olongapo City, my car was in the ship and he took me to San Fernando (Before the expressway was built) He had fully reverted back to Island driving. What was that comment: “Nobody has told them so” (lol) I’m the one who will shrug my shoulders and smile now, after motoring around a few continents, the Caribbean and here. I’ve joined them.
Colin said: They just look at us with an innocent expression and just smile ! On the island of Bohol they just look as me with wonder. I guess they think I’ve stood/parked in the road for 50 years and nobody, the police/etc., does anything. So what’s the problem?
Rusty
There is a risk here of driving in the Philippines that I have not read herein. As an expat if you are involved in a traffic accident with a Filipino and there are damages or injury, be prepared for the inevitable charge of wrongdoing and most likely facing a money settlement with the Filipino. I have seen it twice in the last 3 years. And in accident, the Filipino motorcyle driver passed my American friend on the right. The problem was my friend was already in the right lane driving slowly looking for a place to park. The motorcycle driver was in a hurry and drove up on the sidewalk and dumped his motorcyle and caused some damage. As soon as he saw that the driver was an American he was crying for payment of damages. And in the ensuing investigation at the police station (that is another story) the American was cited.
Bob, your charge is not always accurate. I am a foreigner, and back like 8 years ago or so, I got rear-ended by a large truck driven by a Filipino. The police came to the scene, asked questions and evaluated what happened. They then took us both down to the police station, and they charged the Filipino driver. Nothing for me, because they said it was not my fault.
Bob, Thank You, Thank You. You’ve posted real experience and not just what someone has heard.
We may have disagreed, some what, on a different topic but your posting first hand experience about an accident. That is so valuable.
I read your article about your son. I thought I don’t know any child that doesn’t listen to their friends first and do what they think is best. He’ll do well and eventually will come around to your way of thinking. They say the brain doesn’t fully develop until age 25. In my case my wife says not even at your age which is 71. LOL
Rusty
Thanks, Rusty.
Bob Mason;
You are so right and I have heard of this. But for a small investment there is a video system you can install that will cover your car 360 degrees and the video can be shown to the police if you are in the right, Or post to Social Media to point out corruption if you’re at fault don’t mention you have the system. It will also remain on while you are parked in town or at a mall for proof to your insurance company when you claim damage.
BTW if the American did NOT physically contact the motorbike why did he even stop, it sounds like he was not involved with the bike deciding to use the sidewalk as a passing lane.
Why did a Filipino judge say X Pats have no idea how scared Filipinos are if they see an X Pat get out of the vehicle? The judge/attorney said that 99% of the time the Filipino can’t afford an attorney. But they know the X Pat can so they are worried.
However as long as X Pats walk around scared the Filipino will win, mentally. As one Filipino Americans need to stand up and be accounted for. Assert yourself. Quit acting like a whimp.
Rusty
Why try to make it us vs them> That usually is not very productive, especially when we, as expats, are a very tiny minority here.
Rusty;
Sometimes simple logic will prevail: My friend was out to sea, he just built a new house and the guy shows up and claims it because he got the land on a PHP 30,000 pawn. The misses was panicked so I went to talk to the guy and told him my friend was a US merchant marine and made six million pesos a year and would keep him in court until his grandchildren passed away. Never saw him again. With an Auto, my insurance company will fight a unfounded claim.
Paul, LOL. Yup, it works. I guess they figure this fox is pretty smart.
That Filipino judge, he’s a friend of my wife’s said, X Pats look weak if they don’t go right after something. I am not talking about being confrontational. The judge just said speak up. Let the other person know he was at fault. The again maybe being Trump confrontational would work too.
Rusty
Rusty,
I like that phrase of yours:
‘Trump Confrontational’.
That seems to take the concept of confrontational into the stratosphere.
HA HA !
Your right, Bob, don’t make it us versus them. I never really thought of it that way anyway. The Filipino judge just meant be aggressive if your in the right. Otherwise you’ll be taken advantage of.
Rusty
Rusty I had to laugh at your comment and you are right. I once had a minor traffic accident where both parties were at fault. If it was not for an unbiased police officer who attended the accident it could easily have turned out much worse for me as a foreigner. A little wake up call for me, now have a rear vision mirror video cam with night vision installed in my vehicle providing a 140 degree angle video, it is almost undetectable. The cam also provides 4 hours parking video while I am away from my vehicle. I guess if it was a dash cam there would be a pretty good chance of it being stolen.You can never be too careful!
Jack, the night vision camera is a good idea. I’ll have to get one. Takes away the wondering element.
Rusty
love phil’s traffic,,,sit back with a sm and let em go,,have total faith in the drivers passing 20cm away…invigorating stuff
Bloodymal;
My USB has over a thousand songs that I picked out, my air/con pumps out cold air; bring on whatever they want to throw at me. (LOL)
Bob;
Bob;