Driving in China

Don't.

Don't do it.

Don't let it enter your mind for the merest millisecond of a possibility.

One of the things I noticed this time in Shanghai was more traffic. This seems to have had the beneficial impact of slowing people down on the roads. I say beneficial as many, especially those in the thousands of taxis think they are racing drivers. Or in one of those adverts with 'Do not attempt' splashed as a subtitle...

Aside from the speed, it's the aquaplaning, last minute breaking and trying to shove fellow drivers into the wall which are most worrisome.

I don't always fear for my life though, after all, there is very little evidence of accidents. I put it down to ESP which probably means the interview for taxi drivers involves reading cards. That and stamina as many drivers work very long shifts.

Out of the cities, it can be worse. I was on a minibus in rural China - we drove at a constant 80km/h. This was irrespective of conditions, straights, corners, blind corners. To achieve this the driver would often cross to the other side of the road.

As I often explain to first time visitors, lanes, signs and traffic lights are purely advisory.