swirljem wrote:Don't drive in China unless you absolutely have to. If it is a commute issue, it's less painful to move than owning a car to drive. Jiangsu cities (Suzhou, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Nanjing) are not as half as bad as some other less civilized cities, where people don't have a single clue about basic road safety (i.e. common sense), let alone traffic regulations.
The reason I say this is because, unless you speak fluent Chinese, it will be a nightmare if you even run into an accident - I don't mean a minor tailgate or fender-bender, but a crash or injuring a person. You can get into trouble with Cops, but that's the least of the concern here.
A lot of Chinese who got rich due to the current boom went out and buy expensive import cars - high end sedans or SUVs. On Huning Exp (Shanghai-Nanjing Expressway) I see a lot of crazy jerks going 180 km/h swirling through busy traffic. I don't have to explain how dangerous it is going at extreme speed in busy traffic.
There are stories in the news where these rich jerks made hit and run and actually killed someone. There are also stories about people get beat up by these rich jerks and the local police are biased towards them, leaving the victim pretty helpless.
If you drive, there is only one way - drive defensively. People not having proper driving sense is the norm here. Can't really blame them because China does not have many generations of drivers. People don't grow up with parents who drive and grandparents who drove, etc. Road design, traffic law enforcement and punishment are all very new in this country.
But then again, I heard places like India is even worse...
Your post is absolute truth! I could not wirte better!But what is the traffic department busy with in Yangzhou? They should do their job, or not? I think if local media and traffic department constantly educate people than changes will be seen very soon , but untill now, looks like no one really cares.
I was in the restaurant 3 month ago and I have seen 2 Chinese guys, each of them have drunk 7 botles of bear, than I was suprised to see how they went and seet in black porsche cayenne and drove away by themselves!
Yeah, by the way I have heared that most of the drivers do not even read the questions for exam, they come with their teachers from driving courses and those people answer for them, how do you expect them to drive?
This is terrible and sad I must say.
If you have kids in Yangzhou do not let them along cross the road it is too dangerous!
I hope the situation wil change
do not sleep following TAXI in Yangzhou be aware of all kind of surprises.
