Different culture, different way of driving. As Clarkson blamed UK's recent increase in fatalities and injuries were partly contributed by immigrants congregating onto British roads and messing up the system. I think he is partly right. I think immigrants contributed a small percentage in the statistics of accidents. I think the British themselves are to take a larger blame on the increase. Now, take Malaysia now for instance. We have little of such foreign influence to say that they have contributed to the increase of road simply because they are pretty much restricted from getting licenses to operate motor vehicles. So, it is too negligible to count them in. In my opinion, the contributors are in fact ourselves. Our relatives from other states. Our brothers and sisters from hometown, and our neighbors.
Let me explain. Many well travelled Malaysian would have to agree with me that the driving styles of the motorist differs from states to states. I personally travelled quite a lot and every each time I crosses certain state, I will change my driving style in accordance. Probably pushing my imaginary "corsa" or "strada" buttons in my brain to activate that mode of driving style. Let's say I am traveling from KL to Ipoh, and then to Penang.
Now, along the highway I will be putt-ing along well within the speed limit. As I entered Ipoh township for some good food, I will then switch to "extra strada" mode. That is not to exceed 70 kmph at any given road in Ipoh. Failing which, you will end up rear-ending someone, and complimented with a high blood pressure certificate. So gently negotiating your way out of Ipoh township, you enter the highway once more and speeding within the speed limit. Blissful until some hour later, you cross over to the Pearl Island of Malaysia, Penang. Just as I am about to finish the length of the bridge, I switched my driving mode to "corsa". Yup, fast and furious.
From here on, I kept my gears in low, foot near brake pedal in full alert, and eyes double-timed concentration. This small island is actually a whole race track in disguise. Folks are always in a hurry and if you use your super strada mode, you will end up being rear ended, looked at in disgust, and honked at so much so that you thought were actually in India instead of Penang.
You see, you need to be in the same speed as the cogs that were in the states mentioned. Any wrong speed or cogs sizes, you end up wrecking everyone's lives and yours too. You need to learn and adapt to the way of motoring life there in order to stay alive ! Just like folks from these states. They need to learn the motoring culture of the host states and adapt to it as soon as possible.
And don't think you could influence them with your own culture because such moves would only make you the outstanding one, the negative one.
Spot any cars that were haphazardly parked in your area, check out the registration plates. Most likely you will see a different state registered car. Likewise when someone hogged your favorite road to work. More than likely you will see some foreign state vehicles, with or without a GPS!
Can some one input in such data into the GPS like what they do to warn of police speed traps etc?
So, don't be naive to think that calmness, good driving skill and what's not will ensure you get through the day there, as the understanding of one's environment and adjusting to it is as important as the mentioned attributes.
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