Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Darl]

OK, for the last couple of months or so, I have become a commuter, intrepidly navigating the roadways of the big city on a daily basis. I must admit it was frustrating, even maddening, until I got out my Korean Driver's Handbook, and found the special secret portion in the back that explained everything. Here are some of the highlights.

Seatbelts-We will check that you, as a driver have a seatbelt on approximately every 3 city blocks, with police checkpoints. We will exhaust every police resource to ensure you, the driver, have your seatbelt on. Feel free, however, to allow your children to freely roam and frolic about the cabin of your vehicle as they see fit.

Stoplights-A red light is really just a formality. Don't take it as a suggestion to stop, or even slow down, unless it is a major intersection. If someone does stop for this before mentioned 'red light', please honk at them incessantly until they proceed.

Highways- The right lane is for emergency vehicles only, unless you become frustrated by the traffic and want to go faster. It's just fine to go in this lane as long as you put on your hazard blinkers. There is no speed limit on the highway, but you must slow down every 3 KM for the camera. If you are a cab driver, it is your duty and obligation to attempt to break the sound barrier when you are on any expressway. If you own a vehicle which is cheaply based on a 'Fast and Furious' Vin Diesel thing, and is plastered with stickers of car components you do not own, then it is your oath to obnoxiously weave in and out and through traffic as you see necessary.

Signaling a lane change- this is a habit of the frail-minded. If you happen to see someone doing this, please speed up or slow down to prevent such lane change from occurring.


Now that I read all of this, I now realize that I was in the wrong for being frustrated and angry, and everything makes sense now. I must adapt.

[Ya-ta Boy]

[Qinella]

[Darl]

seatbelt checkpoints are pretty much a daily happening for me here in Incheon, they camp out around a corner and whistle down everyone not wearing one. I only see alcohol checkpoints about once a month, however.

[thursdays child]

I miss 'merging like a zip'

[charlieDD]

While it is frustrating here dealing with "they drive the way they walk" drivers, . . . I have to say that I have become a better driver from my experience driving here in Korea. They certainly keep you on your toes.

At the same time: My car spends more time in my apartment's parking garage than it does on the road. I much prefer to let someone else do the driving, so I tend to take a bus or subway the few times I have to venture anywhere that's not nearby when I know the traffic is going to be hell, which is just about always!

(By the way, I drive a vintage 1982 Volvo 240 GLE sedan that has been in Korea since new - - bought from an embassy official; can you say "tank"? Come on Matiz, hit me!)

Me too, sure do miss the beauty of traffic merging zipper style.

[Muramasa blade]

Sidewalks-it's okay to drive on sidewalks as long as you honk your horn. It's also okay to drive on sidewalks, as long as you only drive with two wheels, on the pavement.

Lights-you will waste the battery if you use your headlights. Besides, the streets and highways have streetlamps scattered at 100 meter intervals.

Parking-park wherever you like, preferably bumper to bumper. The bigger the vehicle, and the narrower the road, the better. You get bonus points if you can form characters in hangeul.

[I-am-me]

I watched a driver cross a red light at a major intersection. He got stuck in the middle of the intersection. I was sure the police whom he had just crossed in front of would have given him a ticket. To my amazement, they didnt even bat an eye. I wonder if police give tickets for anything here besides speeding? Red lights really dont mean stop i guess.