Job Discussion Forums

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

for those of you in the country, have you recently had any concerns with your safety. with Syria, Yemen, Isis, and in-country problems, have you had any thoughts of leaving the region?

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 1:50 pm Post subject:

Not so far. Hasn't felt anywhere nearly as tense as post 911...yet.

Yasuke · Joined: 10 Jan 2014 Posts: 178

good to know.

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

The closest you get to danger anywhere in the country is on the roads. Saudis are notoriously bad drivers. I fear for my life as a passenger on the highways more than I do of being a victim of crime/an attack etc.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Anybody still in Yemen has to be one beer short of a six-pack.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 3:20 pm Post subject:

bigdurian · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 3:58 pm Post subject:

I don't think a comparison with Thailand is really that great. It does have a far higher fatality rate than KSA, but 80% of fatalities are motorbike/moped related. Driving a car in Thailand is actually a lot safer.

I rode a motorbike in Bangkok for years with no problems(apart from a drunken slip or three), in comparison, driving a car in Riyadh is mental at times.

I definitely agree that you're best driving yourself. I trust myself, but you can't say the same for every random cabbie/school bus driver etc.

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 4:09 pm Post subject:

bigdurian · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 4:12 pm Post subject:

I suppose the difference is, that probably once a week, something would happen driving in Thailand where I thought to myself "that was a bit close," whereas here, it would probably be every single journey I make!

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 4:30 pm Post subject:

To be honest, I find the Saudi drivers a bit easier to predict...

bigdurian · Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 3:49 am Post subject:

If by that you mean that they can be relied upon to always cut you up, beep their horn the second the light goes green, never indicate, cut across four lanes of traffic as they exit/enter a highway, stop right in front of you at the lights as they are turning left and you're going straight on, occupy the right-hand turn lane at the lights when they're going straight, flash the lights at you when you refuse to drive at 100 kph on a single lane track, park taking up two spaces...........I agree they are predictable.

any I forgot? Laughing

MixtecaMike · Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 643 Location: Guatebad

By safety concerns, I think the OP was referring to suicide bombers, rather than Saudi drivers. (Oops, did I mention the unmentionable?)

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 6:18 am Post subject:

cnthaiksarok · Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 6:21 am Post subject:

Gamajorba · Joined: 03 May 2015 Posts: 357

From what I understand, the King Fahd Causeway between Khobar and Bahrain has upped its game as well.