Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eaglenovan]

Deleted

[Ya-ta Boy]

Yes there are rules.

The real question is why they aren't enforced. Every foreigner who has ever spent 10 seconds watching a street has wondered the same thing. There may well be an answer for the question, but I've never heard it.

I live in a smaller city that for some reason brags that the cops have never given a parking ticket. I don't know why that is considered an accomplishment.

[wylde]

[inexhile]

Ahh the crazy Korean drivers, I can't wait......
anyway to your question: It may have something to do with tradition. In my village a well respected older man got hammered and actually drove into the police car, the cop booked him for Drunk In Charge but was later ran out of town as he had broken the rule...respect your elders or whatever. The cop was seen as in the wrong!!!!
Ever seen the blank cds in the front screen of cab drivers? apparently they are there to jam the signal from the fuzz radars.

[wylde]

this link will show you some of the more standard road rules here


http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=15165&start=0

[Ilsanman]

The rule is, don't get caught.

[sadsac]

All you need to look at is how Koreans treat the police. They have no respect for them and are happy to break the law in front of them. Conscript traffic police are a joke to most Korean drivers.

[Homer]

There are rules....but they are not applied....

Driving here is a mad house....I would not drive here if they paid me too.

Public transit and taxis are great here...no need for car.

Unless of course you live in the country...then driving will not be as crazy.

[scarneck]

Traffic rules, regulations and signs are merely suggestions..Follow at your own risk. Seems those trying to obey the law are creating the risk...

[aussie col]

these are the best ones:

1. beep the horn when driving through a red light.
2. don't worry about putting seatbelts on the kids in the back... just let them jump around and fly throught the windsheld in an accident.

(Side note: around 70-80% of all deaths of children under 5 are caused by car accidents in Korea.... and stll no seat belt law for the back seat. WHY!!!!)

3. If you're in the right turning lane at a red light proced to drive into the intersection to allow the drivers behind you to pass. I nearly s@#% myself the first time this happened on a bus.

But on the up side, Korean drivers are 500% better then some countries I've been to. Try taking a moto taxi in Cambodia.... then you'll see what driving with no rules is about.

[dutchman]

Okay, driving here is bad but come on folks it's not as bad as you all make it out to be. I'm curious how many of you have actually driven here. I've been driving various vehicles (scooter, motorcycle, microvan and car) here for 7 years. All the examples you've given are exceptions. Once you get accustomed to their driving styles it all makes sense (well almost all of it).

As for taking a taxi...I'm much more comfortable with my life in my own hands.

[Toby]

The road is yours and only yours. The space around your car is yours and only yours. Other people will move.

That is how I feel when I drive here. I don't necessarily abide by this, but everyone else does, sp, like the syaing, "When in Rome........."

[ajuma]

There's only one driving rule here. "The biggest vehicle wins!"

[Homer]

ajuma...actually thats true everywhere!!!

Example from home: The Hummer....the most idiotic vehicle idea ever.

[wylde]