HOW TO DRIVE IN MANILA TRAFFIC, WHEN DRIVING IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES
How Filipino Drivers Behave on the streets? WHEN DRIVING IN MANILA Here in Metro Manila Philippines
SAFETY TIPS I GOT FROM EXPERIENCE RIDER. 1.Adjust according to speed limits, Put a safe distance between your car and the one before you as preventive measure to ensure that you won’t be touching bumpers when something goes wrong, Check your rear-view/side mirror before changing lanes. The Philippines is swarmed by motorists. 4.In case of flat tire while driving, make that extra effort to move your car into a legal parking area or gas station. Remember, traffic enforcers in the Philippines will still apprehend you for obstruction even if your vehicle needs emergency repair. 5.If you are riding a motorcycle and about to turn in a corner, avoid overtaking a car from the inner right left. 6.If you are riding a motorcycle, drive as if the other vehicles do not see you. This rule shall prevent you from speeding and lane splitting. Lane splitting is legal, but you must make sure that you are noticed by other vehicles. 7.Please always turn on signal lights when turning. 8.Here in Manila, Be aware of slow moving vehicles and anticipate that they are about to turn in a corner even if their signal lights are not properly turned on. 9.While driving in a place with large vehicle always find a way to be noticed by the driver of the vehicle. 10.Driving in EDSA, as much as possible, do not change lanes. Be aware of pot holes, uneven roads (lubak, butas sa kalye etc.), maintain a speed that will still enable you to make sudden adjustments. 11.There is no simple way to tell on how long will it take for a vehicle to come to a full stop on a certain speed. Be alert! 12.When transferring from one lane to another, or when pulling in after overtaking, the turn should be gradual and never be a sudden swerve which may result in skidding. 13.Don’t get into a race with other vehicles, especially in heavy traffic. 14.For cars and other large vehicles, don’t get into a race with a Motorcycle, It will post a danger to the motorcycle rider and to the car driver as well. 15.For car drivers, give way to a speeding motorcycle, be smart! Stay cool! 16.Heavy traffic in the Metro, if you are driving your car, always keep in mind that there are 18.8 Million registered motorcycles in the Philippines, so learn to live and drive with motorcycles. 17.When driving in EDSA in heavy traffic, stay in your lane. Always turn on your signal light when changing lanes. As much as possible, communicate with the other drivers when changing lanes. 18.Adapt to the devolution of driving in the Philippines. Statistics shows that car drivers in the “40 plus” age group are the hot headed drivers. Why? During the 70s, 80s, and early 90s the traffic is way more trouble free and celestial. 19.Always remember that all drivers are in the same situation as you. 20.Driving too slow does not mean that you are driving safely. In places with slow moving trucks it is better to get ahead of them as it may post more danger if a small vehicle is consistently moving as the same speed as the Truck. 21.Be mindful of street children (in all parts of the Metro)22.Be mindful of electric motorcycles.23.Be mindful of Dogs, Cats and other animals that may cross the streets. (running over dogs etc. will seriously affect the handling of the motorcycle rider and may cause serious accident. It may also affect cars; a surprise car driver’s natural/default reaction is to turn his steering wheel to his right or left and to step on the brakes that may cause the vehicle to skid. Studies show that drivers who panic in these situations often mistakenly steps on the gas instead of the brakes. 24. Always be cautious of Pedestrian Lanes. Make it a habit to slow down whenever you see a Pedestrian Lane to be able to commit a full stop. 25. Drivers should therefore be able to anticipate stops by intelligently reading the road and be able to apply progressive light braking and have control of the vehicle at all times, smoothly stopping before any potential hazard with ease. 26. In case of arguments do not push your personal rights too much to avoid conflict resulting to physical alterations and injury. 27. Do not double overtake!! (be mindful of the vehicle in front of you and determine if the vehicle is driving slow because of the vehicle in front of him (anticipate that the car in front of you will overtake the slow car), in this case, do not overtake, most motorcycle accidents occurs from this situation. 28. Share the road with bicycles, be aware of riders sometimes you need to be extra aware of them, sometimes drivers and riders do not notice them. 29.RESPECT and Obey traffic rules…-OR- Obey the traffic enforcers, because they tend to encroach the power of the traffic lights. 30.Most Filipino drivers are stubborn, reckless and hot headed, it is up to you on how you will handle them, remember, letting other car pass you and change lanes is not a big deal, it will not affect your life.