Friday, July 11, 2008

Driving in Malaysia

Of the many things that have changed in Malaysia, one remains the same: the way Malaysians are behind the wheel!

And, you'd think that with the 40% increase in petrol there should be less people driving!!
Things that I have noted are:
  • The (supposedly) Emergency Lane on the shoulder of the road, far left, IS NOT NECESSARY AN EMERGENCY LANE FOR SOME...

  • Using the signal when turning left or right does not seem to be obligatory - BE WARNED, BE WARNED!!

  • Jumping the queue is common in Malaysia, where as in the UK, one lane can have 20 cars queueing while the second land is empty - not a sight in Malaysia! They either can't read signs or are just so impatient (or thick).

  • Drivers can be selfless obnoxious morons - very inconsiderate of others.

  • The speed limit is not taken seriously by many motorists.

  • DO NOT CROSS THE ZEBRA-CROSSING until the road is totally clear or if the cars on BOTH directions have clearly stopped to let you pass. I couldn't believe my eyes when an old man (pedestrian) was almost hit by a car right infront of me! Even the zebra-crossings at the hospitals are not too be relied upon (maybe the motorists think rushing a hit pedestrian on the hospital grounds would be easier!).

  • Jay walking is sooo common!

I could sit here and go on all day and night but alas, there are more important things to attend to.


Unfortunately, I have learnt that to survive, you can't be the only one trying to be civil. Bugger!

12 comments:

Sofinee Harun said...

When we came from UK it's always been heart attack on the road. The thing is we try to behave on the road as we always did in UK. But you know what, you stop at the jundtion and think that somebody will stop and give you a way without you have to squeeze in and be thick, but that won't happen. You try to behave, you ended up stay where you are for hours!!!

iNa said...

zebra crossing kt msia tak sama mcm kt UK....silap2 blh kena langgar kt zebra crossing & siap kena maki lagi dgn drivers...hehehe

Unknown said...

Very true indeed, very true. Laws are ignored. Change must come from within. But when???

Anonymous said...

Betul kata ina.. Mula2 saya balik pun saya ikut mcm di Germany.Saya lintas diZebracrossing dan saya pasti mereka akan berhenti jika melihat saya. tetapi say apula dijerit dengan pemandu.Tak tgk kiri kanan ker nak lintas???

Adoiiiiiii sapa yg bersalah.. saya atau dia? Confuse sekejap!!

Nadia said...

hahahah kak d,
i know it's not funny when you're there (in malaysia and facing these things) but sorry, I had to chuckle gak :D

when we went back pun, we had to start drive mcm org gila jugak to survive :P ishhh....lagi pulak kat KL la kan...

hmmm...i think it all from law enforcement kot (kat malaysia bribing ada, UK US i think takde - or mayve i'm too sheltered)...but that is right, change comes from within but when?

it's the mindset that has to change...hmm camne yek?

NorAiniJ said...

Welcome back dear. But my very own personal opinion lah...driving in Jakarta lagi worst kot..hehe. And, Parisians pon ala ala KLites jugak gitew.. no?

Kiah Kardashian said...

Ermhhhhh wait until u drive in Dubai...lagi giler u....hon saya sampai kena repair!!!!

Mulan said...

he he.. sabar sis..

Makcik Runner said...

haha...only in mesia terchenta!

silversarina said...

memang shock kan buat sesiapa yang baru pulang dari luar negara, pemandu dan pengguna jalanraya di sini memang kurang beradab.

Formerly known as Superwomanwannabe! said...

Hi d...

What gets me personally is the lack of respect for zebra crossing...in the UK you only have to put your foot on the stripe and the earth stops..isnt it illegal not to ?? Sigh....

Shila

mad redo1 said...

concur...