Ok, so I have resisted up until now to write a sequel to ‘Driving me mad…‘, but after several close shaves yesterday on my way to and from work, I have to vent my frustration. I have come to the conclusion that the MAJORITY of drivers here in Puerto Rico do not know what the turn signal is for. I have been here in Puerto Rico for over 5 months now and I can safely say that the car horn gets more use than the turn signal.
Let me set the seen, on a normal day it will take me about 15 minutes to drive to work and 20 – 25 minutes to return home. I have to drive along two lane roads (one in each direction) and a major highway for a short distance. Now on most days I will see some of the most surprising maneuvers by drivers here in Puerto Rico, all with out the aide of the turn signal:
Drivers will change lanes (one, two and even three lanes) in busy traffic without using the turn signal; they just go for it and hope for the best. If you are fooling these cars, you have to be ready to break at any moment.
Drives will stop in the middle of the road to make a left hand turn with no turn signal, so if you are following a car, be prepared to stop if you see them slowing down (hopefully their brake lights will be working). These are the same drives that will turn across traffic even though there is not a safe gap to do so. Instead of waiting, they will force the oncoming traffic to stop so that they can be on their way.
Drivers will stop in the middle of the road to let someone out without using the turn signals to warn following cars that they are stopping; they could at least put the hazard indicators on.
Don’t let the lack of turn signal use put you off from driving here in Puerto Rico. The best way to see the island is by getting a rental car; just realize that most of the drivers here in Puerto Rico are not thinking about the other cars around them; if they were, they would be more considerate, and would use their turn signals.
You may also be interested in this car rental post
2 Responses
OMG, you are so right about the turn signals. I have to admit that I have avoided the issue on my blogs. To be honest with you, it was never that bad. I grew up there and it was pleasant to drive. Traffic was heavy but less crazy. When the police shifted their focus in cracking down hard on crime they totally abandoned giving tickets for not using turn signals. I do know that they are still giving tickets for not wearing seat belts or driving while using the cell phone. Can you imagine how much money the gov could amass just by giving and collecting on moving violations tickets???
A.C.
LOL…it is quite an eye-opening experience driving here in Puerto Rico, huh?! I have to admit, I grew up in The Bahamas, and driving there is no fun task either. So I guess it’s a West Indian way of life. However, Puerto Rico takes the cake for me. I’ve heard that Jamaica’s really bad too though.
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