Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mr_thehorse]

http://www.10mag.com/2014/07/28/10-craziest-korean-driving-cam-videos/

Quite terrifying some of them. I think #8 was unavoidable. #1 I found funny hahaha

[FDNY]

There is a TV show on every weekday morning at 7:30 on SBS called Blackbox. They have some pretty hair-raising stuff. They are not really accidents. They are caused by stupidity.

[kimchi_pizza]

Here's one FDNY is referring to~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eHC1ZWWgsA

Plenty of episodes on YouTube to pass the evening away watching.

I highly recommend anyone that drives/rides a motorized vehicle to watch.
They show actual video and speak to one of the party's involved. Then will
sometimes have a professional explain the rational for imparting 'blame' and the
ratio of culpability given that it directly effects your damages that are owed
or due. It is very rare that one driver is found 100% at fault.

Plus it does show how Koreans tend to react in such situations that I find
personally alarming. For example, once a vehicle is suddenly hit, even a glancing hit, the
driver seemingly lifts their feet from all pedals and allows their car to 'coast
to a stop' which only increases the chances of further damage and death
as they seem to coast into oncoming traffic or shops on the side of the
road.

I'd like to list a few other things to be cautious of for expats driving.
The order based on the degree of danger in my opinion and experience:

1. Lane changing. Drivers will change two, three or even four lanes with
absolutely NO notice, i.e. turn signal, when they think they have the clear or
simply don't give a fig.
2. Pedestrians. Please, please, please watch out for them. Specially the
older generation. They are at an age where they don't comprehend the
dangers or don't care based simply on the respect that should be shown
given their age. They cross the road as they please. I don't honk or show
irritation but give them plenty of space. The majority were here before
such a thing as 'paved' roads and if so, a single lane road. Also, if you
should hit a pedestrian, game over my friend. Be careful.
3. Riding your Ass. Drivers, particularly tour bus drivers will BARREL down
a road expecting you to haul ass out of the way. If not, expect a treatment
of flashing high beams and a foot distance between
bumpers. Of all drivers, these guys royally piss me off and I normally
extend a high-minded-finger at them as they pass. (I'll elaborate on that
one later. Maybe! It's a BIG no-no here. ha~).
4. Lastly, on ramps for the express highways. Locals will drive SO slow
on an 'on ramp' or merging lane, like go 50km on a 100km highway. I have
yet to see a driver that makes the attempt to blend in with the
highway traffic so I make it a point to give the preceding driver a good
10 second start before I launch myself from tollbooths or rest stops.

That's enough. But so as not seem I am bashing, there is/was a driving
etiquette here in Korea that I do like and respect.

1. There was a time that when traffic is stopped at a red light, cars would
turn off their headlights I believe out of respect for vehicles opposing them
and in front of them to prevent night blindness. An old custom that I think
has since faded over the years.
2. Use of hazards. If I see a vehicle that wants to merge into my lane by
use of a turn signal, I'll slow down and allow it and it would usually be
followed by a 2,3 second flashing of hazards either to say, 'thanks' or if I
am suddenly cut off, 'sorry'. Also when approaching traffic that is QUICKLY
slowing down, hazards are used. I like that and use it often.

[jvalmer]

[CentralCali]

[CentralCali]

[jvalmer]

[kimchi_pizza]

[Who's Your Daddy?]

[Squire]

[kimchi_pizza]

As you ask, I'll respond Squire...

Where to start? I do my best to understand and 'merge with the traffic'
that is Korea as best as I can. But once in a while dangerous driving elicits
this urge to show my...um...displeasure, though I'm not proud of it.
Ok...I do get a little kick out of it and self-satisfaction from it, but it only
aggravates this situation and I don't encourage it.

In the accidents I've seen here so far, usually both parties are outwardly
calm, yet perhaps inwardly seething, but remain civil and calm which is great.
I have never been in an accident in my years of being on the road (notice
how I'm dodging this one? ha), but I do tend to react emotionally and
instinctively by flipping drivers off once in a great while.

But once that simple little gesture is unsheathed, do expect an immediate
shock and an urge by the recipient to 'respond' by either being called to
pull over or being even more abruptly cut off or pushed to the barriers.

If you want full stories and experiences....

I was entering one express highway and trying to match the 100km limit.
The right lane was nose to tail with cars while the left lane was bare. Yet
NO ONE moved over, particularly this one driver who sped up as my
merge lane was ending. I HAD to cut in front of him and he flashed his
headlights at me. I then slid into the 'fast' lane, let him drive parallel to me
and he got the full moon of a white man's middle finger. He immediately
gestured we pull over (on the express highway no less) and a sign
came up for a rest stop and I pointed to that to 'meet up' and we did.
He barreled in to a sudden stop as I did. He got out, I got out and found
ourselves toe-to-toe yelling, finger-pointing and then the slew of Korean
"you wanna get your ass kicked" began and he raised a flat palm as if to
slap me. I smiled big and bright and I said, 'No touchee! No touchee!"
hahaha. Anywho, I threw back my knowledge of Korean vulgarities
and got in my car, he stepped in my door jam. A quick push with my 'weak'
hand caved in his gut to get him out, closed my door and drove
on as I had better things to do. I will say his passenger was embarrassed
and had to walk away and smoke one to avoid the mess to his credit.

Not my proudest moment, but no regrets. That's one story, but oohweee,
that middle finger will get the locals riled!

[Lazio]

[3DR]

No he was right. They will never willingly let you into a lane whether it be merging or trying to avoid a dead lane in stand still traffic. You literally have to bogart your way into an open space. The most asshole-ish behavior ever.

[cabeza]

I find myself doing more assholish stuff on the road. It's the only way to survive sometimes. But I'd still say I'm more courteous than most drivers here.
I can not for the life of my understand the whole refusal to let others merge thing. I had to drive into Gwangju for a doctors appointment this morning. It was absolutley pouring down between 9-10am. A lane on the main drag past the bus terminal was closed so we had to change lanes. It was chaos. No fucker would give an inch. They would rather ram into you than brake for two seconds to give a little space to move in.

[Captain Corea]