Korean Job Discussion Forums

[eaglenovan]

Deleted

[happeningthang]

Korean drivers do fine. Believe it or not, there is a working system of unspoken rules and behaviour that works pretty well for all. Any big city sees its fair share of inconsiderate drivers.

[rawiri]

Bullchit. I just came back from the bank right now where there was a police checkpoint, on guy on his moped was casually driving down the pavement RIGHT PAST THE POLICE. I cam out of the bank crossed the road, probably 30 meters from the checkpoint A GUY WAS DRIVING HIS CAR ON THE PAVEMENT RIGHT AT ME. He saw the checkpoint, you couldn't miss it and didn't give a shit. Koreans are the most obnoxious, poorly trained, drivers iv'e seen. You are taking your life in your hands whenever you cross the street here. I've seen young elementary aged school kids waiting forever AT PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS for a chance to cross and idiots just whizzing past not giving a crap. If one of them hit me and i was still able to move i crap youi not, i would kick the living bejesus out of them. Even the bogans (petrol head rough neck guys) back home would stop for little kids on a pedestrian crossing.

[tatu]

You would be surprised at how difficult it is to get you drivers license here. First there is a written test followed by a three hour class explaining laws and safety.

Next you take a driving test test on a closed course in a car that because of sensors on the car gives deductions if you go too fast or don't stop perfectly at the number of stop lines. If you dont take a driving class at a school there is a slim to none chance of passsing. It is in the driving school that they explain rules and expectations of the test.

Thirdly you take a road test.

I just finished getting my license here in korea as i misplaced my license from back home. I'd been driving for more than 10 years back home and failed my first test on the driving course. I was told that almost half the people fail the driving course test because it is so difficult.

I've been driving a motorbike for a number of years here, without a license(my bad), and find people to be fairly good drivers. The problem is not the drivers, its the enforcement by police. That is to say there is virtually none. I mean who is going to follow the rules if they aren't enforced. I can't keep track of the number of times I've driven through red lights following a police car as it meanders along. Too many people and not enough space.

If you don't break the rules it would take forever to drive anywhere. Makes driving a motorbike fun.

[Demophobe]

[IlIlNine]

I drive like a maniac. It suits me fine.

Most people drive okay -- but it's the few slowly rolling roadblocks that make things a little frustrating - like people talking on phones or frightened new drivers.

The worst thing is the sheer volume of cars and the lack of sensors on the traffic lights.

[Qinella]

Yeah the only things that bother me are the total lack of turn signals and the habit of people to just barrel onto a road from another road without even slowing down at all. That last one really amazes me. People just come flying out at a good 10-15 kph onto a man thoroughfare. Whatever the fukc goes on in their minds, I do now know..

Good thing is that it's really easy to change lanes. If you get over, people generally just slow down for you without making a scene. In the US, or Florida at least, many people would aggressively try to prevent you from changing lanes. Then, sometimes if you changed lanes, they'd tailgate you to make a point, or speed up in front of you and slam on their brakes. To me that is true idiocy.

[Lao Wai]

[Demophobe]

Someone told me once it (their awful driving habits) was because they haven't been driving that long.

I asked him how long it takes to learn to drive. Koreans can study well, but they can't remember driving rules? Or see the red lights. Or use a indicator when turning. Or to recognize a crosswalk. Or how to merge?

Simple things, but generally, they seem to defy Koreans. I don't like to bash, but driving is an area I just can't deal with, understand or let slide.