Driving in Manila and Legaspi City, Bicol

I have been in Manila a number of times. Actually it seems rather restful compared to some places. Most of the time is spent in traffic that moves slower than walking. Of course I do not do the driving but our Filipino driver seems to have endless patience.

I am not sure if others have mentioned it but the conditions of the roads is surely a factor in driving here in the mountainous areas and off the national highways. East of Lopez on the national highway to Legaspi there are about 100 k of broken pavement with potholes that could easily disable your vehicle. There are no specific warnings, no barriers, or lights at night. It is like a testing ground for Humvees.

I am surprised there are not more accidents. I have seen less road rage here than in places like Toronto when there is bad traffic. Another interesting aspect of the situation at least here in Legaspi is that the use of sirens is much less common than I have experienced in Canadian cities and I imagine it is also true of the US. Manila may be different.

It is not forbidden for a foreigner to drive in Manila. I drive here all the time and after a few days you get use to it. Given the standard of driving there are surprisingly few accidents, you always have to be alert to the unusual. In Manila a driver would cost you more than Ps3000, going rate is about Ps7,000 and sure somebody is going to come back and say they pay a lot less, like everything here its negotiable, what else is provided and what you expect. It will though cost you more because every time you are out the driver needs feeding etc. I gave up with drivers because, I feel safer driving myself, most experienced professional drivers I have come across are not good drivers, just look at the bus, truck and jeepney drivers, and at least I have been taught to drive and had to pass a test before getting a license. However, I do not like to drive in the rural areas at night for the reasons mentioned below. Driving in Manila or the highway is okay with a bit of extra caution.

Driving in Iloilo Philippines

I've lived in Iloilo 3 years now and have been involved in 2 traffic accidents. Both of them were not my fault as the other Drivers (both Jeepneys) who supposedly have "professional licenses" were on the wrong side of the road in my lane because they didn't want to wait for traffic at a busy intersection. But guess who paid ?

But surely this is a question of location. Some places I've been to like Bacolod. The streets are wide, traffic signals that work and other things like marked traffic lanes and signs. Driving there is easy and pleasurable. Here in Iloilo I wouldn't recommend a foreigner drive here for a number of reasons.

Here are my top 10 reasons not to drive here in Iloilo.

1. Being a foreigner whenever you get in an accident it's always your fault.

2. Evan with a "reputable" insurance company getting a claim settled here is a nightmare.

3. Traffic rules are rarely enforced or followed here.

4. 8 of 10 Jeepneys and cabs here have no working signal lights. They stop anywhere, anytime, with no regard to traffic flow and with no working signals or desire to pull to the side of the road to pickup/let off passengers, seen quite a few accidents because of this.

5. 1 working traffic signal in the whole city. No marked intersections with stop or yield signs or Evan marked lanes.

6. Jaywalking in the city is common, adding to the congestion and accidents. Evan though there are overpass crosswalks at many intersections, they are seldom used.

7. At nighttime there is some adversion to using headlights. Get on the side streets or out in the providences and you have Pedi cabs and tricked that have no lights, not even a reflector or reflective tape. You can't see them until they are right in front of you. I've also had them pull right out in front of me or make a u turn without warning.

8. Speed limits ? No such thing here. Especially with these VFH's (rented vans with a driver) they will literally run you off the road to get ahead of you. I was one 3 trips so far to Boracay, a 2.5 hour trip at 80 kph. On all 3 trips had those vans pass me doing in excess of 140 kph and causing near head on collisions or trying to run you off the road to get there faster.

9. I've driven in L.A., NYC, Japan and a few other high density traffic places. I'd rather drive in NYC than here because at least there most people observe traffic rules and have working signals. Driving here is like no other place I've been to. This place has a "road warrior" mentality when it comes to driving.

10. It costs just P3,000 a month to hire an experienced professional driver. Believe me it's worth it just to avoid the aggravation.

Hazards in rural areas : Driving at night -

Tricycles.
Tricycles without lights.
Tricycles making u-turns.
Tricycles emerging from side roads.
Other vehicles without tail-lights.
People walking out across the road.
Children. Dogs.
Tractors (without lights).
Tricycles.