Why Pinoys make lousy drivers

[bender]

Reposting an article from Manila times that i saw in ABS-CBNNEWS.com. Although i disagree with some points, the author touches upon most of the issues facing local drivers. The basic point is that Pinoys have a cultural mentality against authority figures thus have a predilection towards trying to beat to the system. For me, it is just a sign of an immature society that has not yet seen the long term benefits of law and order.


Why Pinoys make lousy drivers

In the old days the folks called it "abilidad," the ability to put one over a person or the government. Being "wais" (wise) enabled one to circumvent the rules or the law.

The current word is "palusot," which means the same thing: getting ahead at somebody’s expense or abbreviating the rules to achieve your goal.

Having been lorded over by colonizers (Spanish, Americans and Japanese), spiked by businessmen and abused by the politicians, Johnny de la Cruz learned to survive by outwitting the system.

Managing to beat the rules was (and is) not a character flaw. It is an attribute of a fighter and a survivor. It is an asset devoutly to be wished.

There are many variations of abilidad. Jumping the line. Not paying the correct income tax. Stealing juice from the electric line. Pilfering water from an illegal connection. Getting up from the table and leaving the company when it’s time to pay the bill. Cheating on a school exam.

Besides, the system winks at small-time cheating. Bureaucrats have set up fixers to expedite applications. Government inspectors will turn away from a violation for a sum of money. We have the best accomplices that money can buy.

Moreover, the system plays favorites. The government enforcers do not implement the law fairly and squarely. Friends, relatives, the privileged and name-droppers get favors ordinary Joes do not. Why do journalists plaster the "Press" badge on their windshields?

From these culture, practices and rules come the Filipino as Driver, also known as the king of the road and the worst in the world.

A wise man once observed that a Pinoy changes the moment he owns a car. His sense of power grows. He regards the car as an extension of himself, something to display, crow about and protect.

The Pinoy who learns to drive (without necessarily owning a car) also becomes a transformed person. He has joined a select fraternity. He has acquired a skill not every mortal has. He can impress family, friends and neighbors. Girls like guys with wheels.

The new mobility could make one heady. The car owner or driver could travel almost anywhere. His world has expanded. So have his territorial claims.

Almost every Pinoy learns driving from friends and relatives, using the family or someone else’s car. Professional driving schools are not big business here. So he learns his values and attitudes—the rules of the road—from someone close. He picks up the driving habits of the tutor.

He is taught, of course, to be careful on the road. Practice defensive driving. Watch out for the other driver. Obey traffic rules. He also picks up tricks and bad driving tips.

However he turns out—car owner, professional driver, cab, bus, truck or jeepney driver—the new motorist is a born-again person.

His first brush with the system comes when he applies for a student driving permit or a professional license. At the LTO he learns that he can pass the written test by getting a "codigo," (crib paper that supplies the answers) or can forgo the exam and the driving test for grease money.

His preparation for life behind the wheel does not include instructions on basic road courtesy, knowing and respecting traffic signs and elementary driving rules.

But the car owner does learn, and practice, the rules of road survival, such as:

Jumping the lights.

Overspeeding.

Weaving in and out of traffic.

Drinking while driving.

Squeezing his car between narrow, designated lanes.

Blasting his horn unnecessarily.

Illegal parking.

Taking possession of the sidewalk.

Ignoring safety signs.

Giving up the safety belt.

Overtaking another car the dangerous way.

Bribing the traffic cop.

In a hit-and-run case, fleeing from the accident.

Try to have his car—for status—outfitted with an alarm or flashlight.

Hogging the intersection when he should have stopped on a red light.

Not giving the other vehicle the right of way.

Blowing up and engaging another driver in a fight over right of way or parking space.

Ignoring pedestrians’ safety by hurtling down the road.

The professional driver (bus, jeep or cab driver) specializes in:

Overloading.

Questionable loading and unloading of passengers.

Cutting trips.

Playing loud music.

Negotiating a set fare (for cabbies) with a passenger on rainy or busy days.

Ignoring passengers looking for a ride when the mood strikes him.

Paying a kotong cop off.

Allowing students to ride dangerously at the back or foot board of the jeepney.

Driving a smoke belcher.

Living with a noisy engine.

And doing what everyone is doing: jumping the lights, weaving in and out of traffic, overtaking the wrong way, ignoring road signs, illegal parking and violating basic road courtesy.

Jenson Button, the famous British Formula One racer, once visited the country and went away saying he would not drive in a jungle like Metro Manila.

Another stranger sang the hymn to New York City: "If I can make it (drive) there, I’ll make it anywhere…"--Edong Manabat

[mikey177]

The Pinoy who learns to drive (without necessarily owning a car) also becomes a transformed person... He has acquired a skill not every mortal has... Girls like guys with wheels.

I guess this is where the saying "Basta driver, sweet lover" comes from

[mdc]

hmm . . . interesting! some are definitely true

[Kamui]

Having stayed in this country for a few months now, I have to say that article is mostly true. I can count how many drivers and bikers in this country that I have seen driving or riding the correct way. Corruption is a big problem and it is influencing even young kids.

I have Filipino friends back in the U.S., and they can follow American traffic rules just fine. It's a pity people here can't do the same. Put an American cop on duty on Philippine streets and he would have to apprehend almost all of the road users be it driver, biker, or pedestrian for violations.

[mbeige]

Did anybody read the article on Inquirer about social courtesy? I think the country ranked number 39th? I guess this also applies to driving habits.

[empy]

Did anybody read the article on Inquirer about social courtesy? I think the country ranked number 39th? I guess this also applies to driving habits.

on the bright side, that means that pinoys are more courteous than about 200 other countries

[mbeige]

on the bright side, that means that pinoys are more courteous than about 200 other countries

I'm not sure about the 39th though, I just remember the article.

[claRkEnt]

Put an American cop on duty on Philippine streets and he would have to apprehend almost all of the road users be it driver, biker, or pedestrian for violations.

That is if he will still be earning his American Salary!!!

[ronald_m]

The solution is filipion needs to learn/adapt 4 WAY STOP.But too many vehicles on narrow road i don't think it's possible.

[3kster]

Reposting an article from Manila times that i saw in ABS-CBNNEWS.com. Although i disagree with some points, the author touches upon most of the issues facing local drivers. The basic point is that Pinoys have a cultural mentality against authority figures thus have a predilection towards trying to beat to the system. For me, it is just a sign of an immature society that has not yet seen the long term benefits of law and order.

............... Jenson Button, the famous British Formula One racer, once visited the country and went away saying he would not drive in a jungle like Metro Manila.

Another stranger sang the hymn to New York City: "If I can make it (drive) there, I’ll make it anywhere…"--Edong Manabat

Wait till he drives sa China, malamang sasabihin nya "If I can make it (drive) in Manila, I’ll not have enough to drive in China …. and Jenson Button will be saying he would love to drive in a jungle like Metro Manila than in a jungle like the ones in China.

But I do agree that we do have problem....but how to solve them? Although meron ng mga LTO sa malls, nanjan pa rin yung long wait sa ibang branches for getting the drivers license in the heat, tapos sila naka aircon. How about getting caught and having to retrieve your license? Long arduous wait na naman?

[mikey177]

The solution is filipion needs to learn/adapt 4 WAY STOP...

Sir, could you elaborate on what this "Four-Way Stop" principle/practice is?

[e2fee]

Sir, could you elaborate on what this "Four-Way Stop" principle/practice is?

1. All stop (regardless of whether clear or not).
2. First to stop, first to go.

If two or more cars stop at more or less the same time, there is an obscure rule for who should go first. But in practice, few people remember the rule, and one driver usually just gestures for the other to go ahead. This negotiation takes place very quickly, in about one or two seconds.

The far more important concept is that of rule 2. (As for rule 1, some people tend to do 'rolling' stops. )

In heavy traffic (long queues) at a 4-way intersection, rule 2 results in the two directions 'taking turns' -- a clear intersection always -- smooth flow -- delay shared equally. No need to think. Just wait your turn and it will surely come up. None of this 'inching' -- 'fighting for every cubic inch' -- 'who will give way first' method.

At Subic, there was a stop sign, but the other driver just stopped! Did not go when it was their turn. Not taking your turn within one or two seconds of when you are supposed to can be almost as annoying to others as going when it isn't your turn.

Could not blame them though, if there is no driver education.

One idea: Instead of a stop sign that says STOP, how about TAKE TURNS.
Another possibility is
STOP
FIRST TO STOP
FIRST TO GO
but that looks like too much to read and the letters would have to be smaller.

Would it be obvious to most drivers what TAKE TURNS means and how to do it, even without formal training? Would they follow?

[mbeige]

Agree, when somebody gets through kasi sa Pinas, sunod sunod na sila. More with public rides (jeepneys/trucks/busses/trikes)...even pedicabs!

[Horsepower]

that is actually the main problem here. Most of the drivers lack courtesy, virtues and education. All could be rooted to their families and the way they were bred.

[e2fee]

Reposting an article from Manila times that i saw in ABS-CBNNEWS.com. ... The basic point is that Pinoys have a cultural mentality against authority figures thus have a predilection towards trying to beat the system. For me, it is just a sign of an immature society that has not yet seen the long term benefits of law and order. ...

Having been lorded over by colonizers (Spanish, Americans and Japanese), spiked by businessmen and abused by the politicians, Johnny de la Cruz learned to survive by outwitting the system.

Managing to beat the rules was (and is) not a character flaw. It is an attribute of a fighter and a survivor. It is an asset devoutly to be wished.

Or, to paraphrase: de la Cruz isn't 'flawed'. That's just the way he turned out to be. Actually, he fought, adapted, and arguably survived. 'They' and circumstances shaped him into what he is now. It's 'their' 'fault' (if anybody's). Blame them -- the Spaniards, Japanese, Americans, their local business 'partners', and the latest whammy -- the abusive and corrupt dictatorship/politicians/military that drove suspicion and mistrust of fellow citizen deep into Filipino psyche, and that put personal gain above nation building.

It could be useful to relate - compare - contrast this perspective to that in
http://getrealphilippines.com/book1/

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Nature or nurture?

[Gumusut_Amige]

I have Filipino friends back in the U.S., and they can follow American traffic rules just fine. It's a pity people here can't do the same.

kasi wala silang nakikitang gumagawa ng di tama o kaya naman ay ayaw mabigyan ng de-merits pag sila ay nahuli! yan ang epekto ang kapaligiran... pero at least yung mga galing ibang bansang pinoy driver ay maraming sumusunod talaga sa road courtesy and rules.

[Fast Eddie]

sa tutoo, di lang pinoy ang mga lousy drivers. lahat ng mga drivers sa buong mundo ang sabihin nila.

isa pang problema,lalo na sa mga probinsya. kung meron man stop signs or stop lights di nila ginagalang. kasi walang pulis na nanghuhuli o kaya nagpapatrolya sa mga daang probinsya. kaya halos mga driver sa probinsya ay walang pakialam sa mga street regulations. ang isa pang kahirapan kci sa probinsya halos mga pulis ay nasa busy traffic lang sila ng bayan, o kaya nasa opisina lang sila naghihintay ng emergency calls. kaya halos mga tao sa probinsya, pag napunta sa manila dinadala nila ung ugali nila sa probinsya.

kung nasa manila ka naman, di rin nila eni-enforced na mahigpit ung mga traffic rules at violation penalties. masyado kci mahina ang parusa sa mga motorist sa atin kaya di sila takot. di kagaya sa ibang bansa, katulad sa kanila mahigpit ang penalties sa mga di law abiding motorists.

depende kci, kung gaano kahigpit na i-enforced ng traffic management ang batas sa atin eh. kung lahat bigyan nila ng mahigpit na penalties ang mga motorist sa atin, kung di sila nagtino sa pag da-drive nila sa daan.

kala siguro ng mga tao sa pilipinas, halos mga motorists sa usa ay law abiding
motorists. sa katunayan di rin sila mga law abiding motorist, nag mumukha lang silang law abiding motorists dahil mahigpit ang penalties sa usa. pag lumabag ka sa mga traffic rules, mahigpit ang consequences na dadanasan nila,+ hassle sa pagbabayad ng ticket sa kanila un.

kung i-aaply nila sa buong pilipinas un, kahit probinsya, malaking city, pareho lang ang kalalabasan ng batas. susunod ang mga motorist, dahil matatakot at madadala sila. ganun lang naman kasimple un eh!

ung mga hindi sumusunog sa linya pede rin nilang ticketan ang mga un. di lang ine-enforced ng traffic management ung mga lumalabag na wala sa linya eh. kanya kanya-kanya silang linya kahit sa gitna mismo ng linya wala sila pakialam. kaya halos traffic sa metro manila ay buhol-buhol; kci, dahil na rin sa kapabayaan ng mga traffic management enforcers sa atin. ayaw ticketan ang mga lumalabag na wala sa linya.

ang problema sa atin ay hindi ung mga lumalabag at ugali ng mamamayan na pilipino. kundi ung pag implement ng tight law sa mga motorista at mamayan.

my 2 cents.

[empy]

sa tutoo, di lang pinoy ang mga lousy drivers. lahat ng mga drivers sa buong mundo ang sabihin nila.

i agree. either lapastangan mag-drive o tatanga tanga.

in my personal experience, the most orderly roads and drivers are in the UK. this is of all the places that i have visited.

the craziest roads are in India, although there seem to be some unofficial rules within the anarchy (at walang sigawan/basag ulo)...the most inattentive drivers are in America, and the biggest speed freaks are in Italy

the country where i see the most fights/arguments/bastusan? why, the Philippines of course! although the US (specifically California) is a close second :hihihi:

[claRkEnt]

kung nasa manila ka naman, di rin nila eni-enforced na mahigpit ung mga traffic rules at violation penalties. masyado kci mahina ang parusa sa mga motorist sa atin kaya di sila takot. di kagaya sa ibang bansa, katulad sa kanila mahigpit ang penalties sa mga di law abiding motorists.

Not always the case. Di naman sa minamaliit ko mga PUV drivers pero most of the pasaways ay yung mga yun. Sa mga Industrial parks sa Laguna and Cavite, very common ang FULL STOP (First to Stop, First to Go) sa mga intersections at walang mga traffic enforcers na nakatoka pero nasusunod ang rule. Even late at night at solong-solo mo yung intersection, you would see that most ay nag-full stop.

[CVT]

ang problema sa atin ay hindi ung mga lumalabag at ugali ng mamamayan na pilipino. kundi ung pag implement ng tight law sa mga motorista at mamayan.

my 2 cents.

Agree ako rito. Kaya matitino at disiplinadong magmaneho ang mga kababayan natin sa ibang bansa ay dahil alam nilang hindi sila makakalusot sa parusang mabigat na ibibigay sa kanila ng mga law enforcers.

Kaya huwag nating ipataw ang lahat ng sisi sa mga drivers. Dapat ay sa mga law enforcers natin. Kung hindi sila magpapalagay at ibibigay nila ang naaayon sa batas, siguradong lahat ng drivers ay susunod sa batas trapiko at mas maayos ang ating mga lansangan,- walang trapik na bastusan, walang counterflow ng tricycle, walang palengke at basketball court sa kalye...

Kung itatanong ninyo ang mga drivers na hindi alam ang batas trapiko,- mawawala ang lisensiya nilang magmaneho, ng naaayon sa batas, dahil sa malimit nilang paglabag. At saka ang insurance ng sasakyan ay magbabago segun sa performance ng nagda-drive nito.

Muli,- nasa pagpapatupad ng batas iyan.

When it really hurts consistently,- everyone follows the rules.

It's that simple.