Comparing driver behaviour in Taipei and Manila:


This is a scene in one of Taipei's busy business district. Disciplined ang mag citizen dito sa Taipei. Look at how they all stay in their designated stop zones while waiting for the green light.

Below naman sa Pilipinas:


Cars riding on the pedestrian lane, motorcycles in the yellow box.

We Filipinos should learn a lot of things about driving discipline in Taipei. A recent visit to Taipei reveals that the Taiwanese are very disciplined drivers.

1. Pedestrian Lanes - drivers respect the rights of pedestrians here, they wait until all of the people walking in the pedestrian lanes are all through before driving through. In Manila, you see a lot of drivers even bullying pedestrians.

2. Horn - In the Philippines, I think one foreigner who visited Manila I know is correct when he says that people seem to use their horns for communication - like cursing other drivers perhaps. In Taipei, I hardly hear anybody honking his horn in this place. Our hotel is Xinyi road (major road in the business district) and I have not heard any vehicle honking his his horn in a weeks stay here.

3. Bus Stops - Buses in Taipei stop only at designated bus stops, they don't open their doors until it's safe to let people get off or get in by making sure it is nearest to the curb. They have a designated lane also and they stay there. In the Philippines, chaos - stop anywhere the driver feels like it.

4. Bus drivers - they are very courteous, say Xie-xie (Thank you) after you pay or when you leave the bus. This is perhaps second nature to most Taiwanese - courtesy and I certainly admire them for it.

5. Designated waiting spots - while waiting for traffic light to turn green, motorcycles, bikes cars and buses have their own boxes to wait and all drivers patiently stay put in their designated boxes until it is their turn to go. In the Philippines, you find Public Utility vehicle drivers jostling for position as if their entire career depends on getting ahead of everybody.

I'm not saying all drivers are like this in the Metro Manila, most of them are courteous but there are a few lot who need to be understood. For most of us setting the right example in road courtesy is a good start.