Egypt School of Driving: Traffic Lanes

Did you ever wonder who decided why lines should be put on the roads? Why are only 3 lanes put on the road when actually 4 lanes of traffic will fit on the road? I mean, seriously, if no one follows the lines why bother putting them on the road in the first place?

In Cairo, lines on the road are more of a suggestion than the rule. You might be surprised to find that even when the roads are clear that most Egyptian drivers still manage to completely ignore the *suggested* lanes.

For me, I have learned to appreciate the idea of staying within the lines ever since I was a child. Years I spent coloring inside the lines. Now I cringe to think of all those Egyptian coloring books scribbled all over by children with no regard for the lines!

Okay, so maybe I've taken it a little too far.

But there are distinct differences between we Americans use lanes on the road and how the majority of cars on Cairo streets use lanes. As usual, we'll use the 2006 Kentucky Driver's Manual as a reference.

How to use lanes.
KENTUCKY
"Smooth driving allows you to keep more distance between yourself and other drivers and also helps improve fuel economy.

If there are three or more lanes in one direction, the middle lane or lanes are for through traffic. The left lane is for drivers who want to pass or turn left. The right lane is used by drivers who want to go slower or who are entering or turning right. If a road has only two lanes in one direction, the right lane generally has the smoothest traffic flow, with the left lane being reserved for the passing of other vehicles. Remaining in the left lane on a limited access highway is illegal."

EGYPT
Smooth driving is not having to stop EVER. Everyone knows that the lines on the road are for decoration. Make sure to use the far left lane if a u-turn is coming up and you're wanting to go straight. Everyone turning left will appreciate having to wait for you to block traffic to go straight instead of turning left yourself. The same goes for turning right. If you need to make a right turn, be sure to wait until the last minute to cut straight across several lanes of moving traffic to turn right. Again, who wants to be bored while driving?

How to pass properly.
KENTUCKY
"In general, you should pass on the left. Passing on the right can be dangerous since other drivers do not expect it. Vehicles on the right side are also more difficult to see. The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movements safely. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway, unless the vehicle passed comes to a complete stop and such movement may be made safely."

EGYPT
It is true that passing is safer done from the left side. But the best way to pass is to move to either the left or right side of the car you want to pass, flash your lights or honk your horn to tell them to move aside. Just remember that there are no personal space laws so be sure to use every available inch to fit your car between other cars while passing. The tighter the space, the more points you get.

How to turn properly.
KENTUCKY
"When turning into another street, turn into the lane nearest to you. If you are turning left from a street with two or more lanes, turn from the lane nearest the center line. If you are turning right, turn from the lane nearest the curb.

If you need to change to another lane, do so only after you have finished your turn and when the traffic is clear.

If you have already started through an intersection when the light changes, keep going. If you have started to make a turn, follow through. Last-second changes can cause collisions.

If you miss your turn go on to the next intersection and work your way back to where you want to go."

EGYPT
Turning on the roads of Cairo is a national sport. Whether it's cutting across several lanes of traffic to catch that u-turn rather than continuing on down the road to the next one or making oncoming traffic come to an abrupt halt by veering right suddenly to make a quick right turn, you don't want to miss out on making your mark on the road.

And as for last-second changes, well, didn't someone say better late than never? If you start to get on the 6th of October bridge and realize it's blocked, don't worry about backing back down the ramp. The traffic coming up behind you is just waiting for a car to swerve to avoid so no worries. It may seem crazy to back down a busy street but in Egypt, that's just the way things are done!

Image courtesy walid.hassanein

Egypt School of Driving: Redefining the Right-of-Way

Just because I got my driver's license in Kentucky doesn't mean that I've got this driving thing all figured out. Egyptians take driving to an entirely new level, and I think it's high time I share the notes I've been taking about how a *real* Egyptian should drive.

Be forewarned, however, that driving in Egypt is not for the faint of heart.

And if you're like me and you've only ever ridden as a passenger in Egypt, well, prepare for the ride of your life.

To show a real comparison, however, between the way we drive in the States (namely, Kentucky), I have decided to do a comparison between the "rules of the road" according to the official Kentucky driver's manual and the "rules of the road" as they play out on the streets of Cairo.

Let's take a look first at the Right-of-Way.

Point 1: Pedestrians
KENTUCKY
"By law, drivers must yield to pedestrians under the following conditions, (1) when pedestrians are in a crosswalk or at an intersection and there is no traffic light and (2) when turning a corner and pedestrians are crossing with the light."
EGYPT
Pedestrians are a driving obstacle. Every good driver in Egypt knows that the object is to get as close as possible to a person walking in the street without actually knocking them over. And if you get too close, don't worry - they'll just lay there for a second groaning in pain (surely it's not THAT bad) and get right up and go again.

*This includes mothers walking with babies in strollers and older persons trying to cross the street.*

If you're concerned with their safety, honk the horn real loud right before you pass them. That way they can jump out of the way in time before you run them over. At night, be sure to substitute flashing your lights for the honking of the horns. This is particularly true for foreigners walking in the dark because they're foreigners, they understand exactly what you mean.

Point 2: Turns
KENTUCKY
"Drivers turning left must yield according to oncoming vehicles that are going straight or turning right."
EGYPT
"If there isn't a police officer with a pad & pen in his hands ready to take down your license number, feel free to turn left at your leisure. Don't worry about the cars coming straight towards you. They'll appreciate the fun in swerving to avoid hitting you at the last moment.

Point 3: Traffic Circles / Roundabouts
KENTUCKY
"Drivers entering a traffic circle or roundabout must yield right-of-way to drivers already in the circle."
EGYPT
A roundabout (called a "midan" in Egypt) is no fun when there aren't any cars in it. So please be sure - regardless of how many cars are already packed into the midan - to force your car into the stream of cars. It's best if you take the extreme left and go straight across to the extreme right - that way you stop more cars in the process.

Point 4: Minor Roads vs. Main Roads
KENTUCKY
"Drivers on a minor road must yield to drivers on a main road."
EGYPT
Who cares what the difference is between a minor road and a main road is? If you're driving straight, people should stop for you. If you're turning left, people should stop for you. If you're turning right, people should stop for you. And especially if you're going the wrong way down a one-way street, the rest of traffic should come to a screeching halt and get out of your way because you have extenuating circumstances which mean you have to drive the *wrong* way.

Point 5: Intersections
KENTUCKY
"At a 4-way, 3-way, or 2-way stop, the driver reaching the intersection and stopping first should go first."
EGYPT
Regardless of how many streets are intersecting, the only reason to stop is if another car's nose or tail is in your way and you can't find a way to inch around it.

I know you're itchin' to do a little driving in Egypt yourself now, right?

But seriously, I have been studying this whole right-of-way concept in Egypt for years now, and I'd say that it's all basically a matter of being completely fearless. If you're shy and timid and don't get the nose of your car out there to enter the stream of traffic, well, you'll be sitting there for a while. You have to just get out there and do it - leaving your fear in the cloud of dust behind you.

My husband and I have been discussing lately whether or not I'm ready to begin driving in Egypt yet. And I'm telling you (just like I tell him) that I'm ready.

Just ask my grandma who taught me how to drive. When it came time to merge onto the interstate highway that first time - a time when most people gradually accelerate to move into the oncoming stream of traffic - well, I floored it.

No fear here!

So I think I'm ready. What do YOU think?