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Driving in the
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Since I
wrote my comments on driving in the Philippines,
I never
thought I would try to drive in the Philippines myself.
I have driven with others, foreigners and Filipinos,
taken taxis, more often and when I was first here in
Cebu always took jeeps. But I have a bit of a back
problem so I went to taxis for more headroom. But I have
to pick one of the larger model cars. Some the taxis
have very little headroom certainly not enough for my
6'2" body.
In a fit of madness and when a friend told me about this
"wonderful car for sale a 1983 Toyota, nothing to fix,"
for
only about USD 1,000. So I bought it to see what
driving
in the Philippines was like for me. I have
driven in many
countries over the years and decided I
would like to just
try it here. So I bought the Toyota.
Then I put about USD 1,000 into fixing it.
Used cars are expensive here compared to the States and
driving is tricky to say the least. I will only drive
very early in the morning or short distances. Traffic in
Cebu City is hard to drive in, very slow. But I knew
that from the taxis and Jeepneys. From what I read below
it is much easier to drive in smaller cities, of course,
but rush hour traffic is a problem. I should point out
many of the smaller cities do not have taxis and the
busses are used only from city to city, except for a few
in big cities that are local busses. They do have vans
now, V-hires that cost more than busses in Manila for
Metro Manila travel and in the smaller places for travel
from town to town. These are very comfortable and but
more expensive than the jeeps, but still cheap by US
standards.
Here are some comments about driving in the Philippines
and driving in certain Philippine cities from members of
our free mailing List of more than 1, 900 as of today
December 2004. If you want to join this group just click here: livinginthephilippines3.
-----------------------------------
I like the walking part if the beggars will leave me
alone. Vehicles used here often are two small for my big
frame. I've seen guys a lot bigger than me too. They
usually have a driver and a car. I think you should take
busses,Jeepneys, tricycles, and walk.
I think the main suggestion on the website and this
group is for People who are going to come here and drive
with know idea what the Traffic conditions are, "not
to". I drive here, but very seldom get the car out to
drive around town, scooter is much better, but I drive
to Vigan, San Fernando, Baguio and to Manila, once at
the hotel I get taxis till returning. but I wouldn't
recommend anyone to arrive here for the first time with
the idea of renting a car to go touring, certainly the
lack of enforcement of the rules is a problem and the
fact that lights are optional at night has given me a
few good moments. I quote from somewhere or other on the
internet "the good thing about driving is the
Philippines is that signs are just suggestions" My
experience is no one will wait for you to go, but they
will always let you in when you go.
********************************
I have driven in Manila a
number of times, and drive in Baguio every day. You need
to remember that the person behind you always watches
the one in front, as you also concentrate on watching
the car ahead. Do not be intimidated, and drive like
Filipinos do - if you see
a space fill it before someone else does!
Keep checking
your side mirrors if you think others are crowding you,
and keep your nerve. After a while it'll become
second-nature. read on
www.livinginthephilippines.com that a
foreigner shouldn't attempt to drive a car in the
Philippines. I agree and I think it is forbidden for a
foreigner to drive in Manila. That place is crazy.
However, I drive in Dipolog every day. So do many other
expats. Maybe you have never been to Dipolog, but let me
tell you it is pretty crowded Monday thru Saturday.
Sunday’s traffic is low.
What it takes is a little patience and the knowledge
that no one wants to be in an accident. Motor cab
drivers are rude and think they can bully their way
through, but my Corolla is one of the big ones (1981)
and an automatic. I just inch my way through
intersections where there are no signs or any other
controls. If I will beat them to the opening they stop.
I drive with my left foot on the break always. The trick
is not to go to fast and always be prepared to stop.
People will pass you on both sides and even when you are
turning. I have learned to watch behind me for speeding
motorcycles when I make turns.
I see motorcycle accidents quite often. It is too bad
they don't get tough on those people. They need to learn
some rules. Some of it is drinking Tuba in the mornings.
I have many drunkards right outside my apartment at the
two cantinas.
************************************
I'm not sure the website was clear about that, but your
idea is good. I always take proactive precautions and I
sometimes take a motor cab instead of driving. It's the
parking problem. Also, the wind blowing in your face
when in a motor cab feels pretty good around here.
I definitely don't drive at night much and I wouldn't
even try to drive in Manila. I even try to avoid driving
in the rain.
--Being a foreigner whenever you
get in an accident it's always your fault.
--Evan with a "reputable" insurance company getting a claim settled here is a nightmare.
--Traffic rules are rarely enforced or followed here.
-----------------------------------
This has not been my experience. My wife was driving our
car a few weeks ago; I was in the front passenger seat
and our
daughter in the back. In good time my wife
signaled a right turn
into the narrow lane leading to
our daughter's school and was 2
feet from the kerb. She
had checked her mirrors before signalling.
As she turned
a solo motorbike with pillion passenger attempted
to
overtake on the nearside (the right). He hit the front
of the car
knocking off the car skirt/side valance and
denting and scratching
the
front wing and door. The mirror was also broken. A small
crowd gathered, including a Poso. All agreed the
accident was the fault of the motorbike rider and the Poso asked if we wanted to file a complaint. We didn't
as the only damage we'd immediately noticed was the
skirt/valance being knocked off and I could fix that. On
to the insurance claim. It was settled without any delay
on the part of
the Insurance company (AVIVA).
The thing is - no one is going
to hit your car on purpose but there does seem to be a
big game of "Chicken" going on. I suspect that I could
learn to drive there. The worst place that I ever drove
in was Boston and after a while I was like a native.
For more
information about Driving in the Manila
and Iloilo City
Philippines, click here
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