The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

General Category => Totally Off-Topic Discussions, Rants, Tire & Oil Threads, Etc. => Topic started by: balibeemer on November 13, 2008, 10:49:04 PM

Title: Indonesian traffic
Post by: balibeemer on November 13, 2008, 10:49:04 PM
And now for something completely different................
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Melena on November 14, 2008, 09:23:36 PM
Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhh!  And on the wrong side of the road, too!   ;)
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: balibeemer on November 15, 2008, 08:30:00 PM
Er............actually, it is the right side of the road (for Indonesia)  - sometimes. Although the dividing line is often used as an "aiming mark"
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Melena on November 15, 2008, 11:41:23 PM
I was just kidding about the "wrong" side of the road.  I was hoping you got it by the "  ;) " smiley.  

It would definitely be the wrong side for me.  I don't know if I could manage the switch from driving on the right  to driving on the left side of the road.  I'm afraid I'd end up totally paralyzed with fright!   :o

Is this a common sight in Bali?  Scary!
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: aussie on November 16, 2008, 05:31:02 AM
I'm confused Melena..the left side is the right side. Ain't that right bb?
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Altritter on November 16, 2008, 08:15:21 AM
From Melena:  << It would definitely be the wrong side for me. >>

I understand that it's even more of a problem for pedestrians trying to cross the street. I spent a few days in Australia a long time ago (two separate trips, courtesy US Army). We were cautioned by our hosts that a fair number of Americans (and visitors from other countries where one drives on the right) are wiped out by vehicles because they instinctively look "left-right-left" rather than "right-left-right" before stepping from a curb to cross the street.
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: balibeemer on November 16, 2008, 07:12:02 PM
Melena, It is a very common sight here. They also use dump trucks for ferrying people to temples! More photo's to follow...............
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: not-so-fast-ed on November 16, 2008, 07:56:41 PM
"Any port in a storm" --   "Any transportation in a shortage"....

I still remember the sight of entire families (sometimes with poultry) on a Vespa in a similar place, long ago.
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Darwin_R65 on November 17, 2008, 05:00:25 AM
i remember driving in the Philippines (where they do that American wrong side of the road thing ;))
I thought this driving on the other side of the road was easy until I turned a corner and noticed other cars heading straight for me, oops need to concentrate harder.

In Malaysia I recall seeing families riding on mopeds, now helmet laws were just that you needed to wear a helmet, there was no standard.
So sometimes you'd see Dad on the front with the outer fiberglass shell, Mum with the inner polystyrene part, and junior wedged in between.

Another time I saw someone with an aluminium saucepan on his head for a helmet, I'd hate to think what damage that would create if he fell off.

Oh and full face helmets were considered only for criminals wanting to rob banks.

John
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Ed Miller on November 18, 2008, 01:04:59 PM
Quote
I'm confused Melena..the left side is the right side. Ain't that right bb?

Johnnie Cash would have agreed, I guess.

Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Ed Miller on November 18, 2008, 01:05:37 PM
Quote
"Any port in a storm" --   "Any transportation in a shortage"....

I still remember the sight of entire families (sometimes with poultry) on a Vespa in a similar place, long ago.

Port?  The wine, right?   ;D

Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Danie on November 19, 2008, 11:53:33 AM
While Balibeemer is talking about "someting different" - in South Africa ordinary law obeying citizens can easily be wiped out by undissiplined police members and undissiplined speeding politicians.

In the latest incident, eight people has been injured in a car crash  in a neibouring town- simply because an undissiplened policeman started shooting at a civillian vehicle - according to a local newspaper today, the civillian driver was driving too slow to the policeman's liking !

Thank God this policeman did not get away - he has been locked up, and his bail application has been refused in court by the magistrate. According to magistrate there are simply too many local incidents where ordinary citizens are getting "bullied" by speeding goverment officials and police members.

More information can be found at:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click-id=nwz0081115150324627C685789  - just click on "Scolding for blue light drivers "
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: aussie on November 20, 2008, 05:56:16 AM
Quote
just click on "Scolding for blue light drivers "
I'm probably just blind - but I can't find this.... :-?
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: Danie on November 20, 2008, 01:46:38 PM
This might work better:

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=nw20081115150324627C685789

Local newspapers and radio stations have already confirmed that the alledged shooter who has been arrested in the meanwhile, is indeed a police official.
Title: Re: Indonesian traffic
Post by: steve hawkins on November 21, 2008, 04:14:12 AM
Armed 'petty officials' - almost as bad as armed religeous leaders.

Do they arm their traffic wardens?

times we live in.