Mar 09 2009
Manila Traffic - Things You Need to Know
Rule #1 - There are no rules which are followed hard and fast!
Things you should remember when driving in Manila Traffic
1. You do not have to be in the right hand lane to make a right hand turn. Good to know info if you are having a tough time getting over to the right but even better no know info if you ARE in the right hand lane. Watch out for that guy in the middle lane trying to cut over traffic!
2. Size does matter in Manila traffic. If you are a bus, you go where you please at whatever speed you please. If you are a moped, motorscooter, bicycle, you can go where you please even when traffic is at a stand still. Just ride on the sidewalk, curve, in between the cars, wherever you please.
3. Just because the left hand lane says turn to the left, the car in the left hand lane may very well be going straight no matter what. Heck, he may even be making a right hand turn!
4. The Hurricane states should take contraflow lessons from Manila traffic cops. All they need is a sawhorse to close your lane, a few cones to tell you not to come into another lane, and wallah, they reverse the flow of one or more lanes of traffic. Of course creating a 5 mile long traffic jam is nothing new here.
5. Manila traffic is reported on radio stations too. Typically 45 min or so after the traffic jam has gotten so bad no one is moving.
6. A parade or unannounced celebration in the middle of morning rush hour Manila traffic is really no big deal. Just find that guy with the sawhorse and send the cars down the other side of the median instead.
7. The Manila traffic norm of seven lanes of cars in a 4 lane road is easier if you just remember to bob and weave, surge and pause, and hit the horn like everyone else.
Adapt and Overcome…that’s life in Manila traffic!
