Faster
than a speeding bullet train. More powerful than a python as he
weaves through congested traffic. Able to fly through red-lighted
intersections without a single scathe. Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
No, it's the scooter driver flying down the road, thinking he is the
invincible superman.
Ok,
not all scooter and car drivers in Taiwan are
reckless. There
are the
cautious drivers, 'stay with the traffic' drivers,
oblivious
drivers and, 'let me show you I'm cool' drivers. That being said,
here are 5
ways you
can stay accident-free.
1.
Learn to ‘blend’. You need to change your mindset. Who has the
right away and who is right and wrong is not valued. Instead,
drivers blend into the available space.
2.
Be predictable. Whether you are turning right or making a u-turn, use
your turn signal and do it slowly so everyone knows what you are
doing.
3.
Approach blind spots with caution. This includes driving around
trucks or buses, turning into intersections where vehicles are
blocking your view and pulling out of any space when you can't see
oncoming traffic.
4.
Never expect the scooter lane to be free of parked vehicles. It could
be a supply truck unloading convenient store goods or a customer who
wants to buy a drink from the tea stand. Parking is very limited. So
doubled-parked cars that sit on scooter lanes is not uncommon.
5.
Never be the first one to pull out of an intersection when the light
turns green. A stray scooter, car, bus, or truck could be barreling
through that "yellowish-red" light. Also, a driver on the
opposing lane might be turning left before the oncoming traffic gets
started.