After all, Malaysians are a capable bunch.
I know, rude motorists are everywhere.
But, Malaysians...ah, you'll be surprised of how rude and un-courteous we can be.
Here's a list of the things Malaysians do on the road:
Accident? What Happened a?
Ever wonder why you're stuck in a traffic jam without a reason?
In one second, you're driving happily because the traffic is smooth-flowing, suddenly you hit the brake and after a short stretch of traffic jam, you drive on like a free man again.
What happened at the short stretch, you wonder?
An accident, maybe?
Yes. But on the opposite direction!
Almost every driver, I can assure you, will either slow down or brake a bit and turn their heads to see what's going on, like they really care and will help out.
These nosy people are the ones who cause traffic jams. BOO.
Curiosity kills the cat, people. Don't create another accident.
Baby's Joy Ride
I'm talking about Lucky toddlers who first steer the wheels at the age of 2 or younger.
Their daddys just can't wait to give them their first driving lesson.
How sweet...
Sarcasm aside, I was utterly horrified when I witnessed fathers who sat their small babies on their laps while they were driving. Small babies!
Where are the enforcers when you need them!?
Car as Playground
Despite the proactive campaign of buckling up in the car, many parents ignore it.
They let their kids stand on the seat, walk from left to right and jump up and down and treat the car like a playground.
Tell me this, what happens to the kids when the car make a sudden halt?
They go tumbling down like Jack and Jill.
No signalling
Almost all of us don't turn on the indicator when turning into a junction. We're just too afraid it'll drain off the battery power.
One day, my friend was driving on the fast lane at 100km/h, following quite closely behind a car when the driver made a sudden swerve to the left.
To my friend's utter shock, there was a car sitting motionless right in front and he had to hit the brake so hard to avoid crashing into the car that had just broken down.
Now, don't convince me that there were other reasons that the driver didn't see the car in front of him.
He didn't even signal any warning to my friend.
What if there's a car tailing closely behind my friend? Another accident.
Jumping Q
What usually happens is this: The impatient driver would drive pass all other cars in queue and stop right where the turning is, with the signal on (they think it'll work).
Just as the traffic light turns green, he would get so close to your car, you'd just have to give way to him.
Otherwise, your precious car would get itself a dimple (dent).
Beating traffic lights
Oh yes, we do have a habit of beating traffic lights...Even a car which is travelling at 35km/h will speed up to 100km/h just as the traffic light turns yellow. Amazing, ain't it?
Motorcyclists are good at this. I call them the Opportunists. When they see an opportunity (no car at sight), they seize it.
Kudos!
Creative parker
Oh, I see this almost everywhere and I ain't kidding. I hate this particular place where I have to go on Sundays.
It's at Taman Connaught, Cheras. If you're familiar with this area, you'd know the most visited Dim Sum shop there.
I've been there a few times and I seriously do not have a clue as to why so many people throng this shop.
(Pic: Somewhere in SS2, Petaling Jaya: Cars sitting comfortably on non-parking space.
Can't blame them. Their asses are too heavy they just have to park right in front of the shop.)
The customers park wherever they like and even double park their cars just so they can have a lovely dim sum breakfast. To make things worse, the shop owner even places tables on the road itself.
Can you imagine the chaos on that road?
Oh, I bet the dim sum shop owner owns the roads there since they don't have any troubles with the authorities. Get it? Well, money sometimes can buy everything.
Multi-taskers
I'm usually the passenger so I get to observe all the time. I see drivers managing their tasks in the car very well.
The tasks they do?
Dig stubborn gold (nose), munching sandwiches, replying SMSes, answering phone calls, conducting (moving hands) while talking, reading papers during traffic jams, picking up things from the car floor, tie hairs, you name it.
There's one time when I was on the road and this car in front of us was swaying right and left and travelling quite slowly on a fast lane. So, we drove past him and like everyone else, took a glance at the driver.
Walla! He was on the phone!
(What a bummer! This topic was published on The Star last weekend. Shall not procrastinate.)
Right,Malaysian rocks in a bad way
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