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10 tricks for mastery in Indonesian traffic

the one who wanders traffic in bali

We are fast, we are furious, we are Indonesian drivers and we dare to show it! Read the ultimate guide through rules of Indonesian traffic based on real experience, mostly on motor bike and don’t take it so serious 🙂

Indonesian traffic

1. OVERTAKE

The first and golden rule. Actually I should write another guide about all possible ways of overtaking, maybe later 🙂

  • overtake immediately you see a tiny space on the road
  • overtake while you’re being overtaken, road has usually 2 lines, don’t hesitate and use them!
  • overtake while you’re driving a long curve especially if you don’t see whether another car / motor bike / bus / truck is coming
  • overtake even if you are about to turn – c’mon, every second matters!
  • master exam: overtaking the trucks before hill is master level.

Children on bicycles

Experienced indonesian motor bike drivers are never stuck in traffic jams. Why? Because they overtake! Yes, use opposite direction, sidewalks or tiny little space next to the cars.

Woman driving on path for pedestrians

2. PARKING

Try to avoid to park your car / motor bike in spots created for this purpose. Instead of parking areas use sidewalks, roads or just leave your car in front of place, where you were supposed to go (even it’s highway with two lanes).

Craziness after school

3. USE ONLY LONG-DISTANCE LIGHTS

More people you make blind, better! The most important thing is that you can see.

Kid without helmet

4. FULL GAS, FULL BREAK

The only right way how to drive is speed up with full gas (it doesn’t matter that you are driving in jam, but don’t forget to take advantage of 20 meters of free space in front of you) and then full break. Of course, overtake slower drivers because every second matters.

Parents driving children after school

5. HELMET? WHY?

Wearing helmet is at least so useless as waiting for a green light. You are a master driver.

Texting on motorbike

6. NEVER ALONE

It’s always more fun to drive with somebody, isn’t it? Try to take at the same time at least 3-4 friends, family members or whoever and don’t forget to to apply point 5.

Family on motorbike

7. NO TURN SIGNALS

Anyway, nobody cares ’cause people ride their own race. For better effect, apply point 1.

Man in traffic tries to get into his lane

8. MIRRORS?

Master drivers are focused on a speed, not checking mirrors.

Man in traffic

9. WHEN TURNING TO YOUR DESIRED LANE …

… use opposite direction to find a perfect gap to pass and meanwhile block as many other drivers as possible. Going across the road and then turn to your line doesn’t make sense at all.

Obviously stopping the traffic

10. AGE IS JUST A NUMBER

Let the kids enjoy childhood playing with the best toy ever – scooter.

Small kid drives motorbike with friends

P.S.

Remember: if you’re white and trying to follow the rules known all over the rest of the world, you’re the one to blame! Sorry Mister!

4 Comments

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