Driving Tips in Indonesia

Driving in the middle of Indonesian traffic is quite a challenge because the traffic, particularly in big cities, is extremely chaotic. You may take it as a tongue-in-cheek sort of guide, but here I list some tips for driving in Indonesia, particularly in Bandung, my beloved city:

• Indonesia drives on the left. But this cannot always be the case when a lot of roads are damaged, having holes here and there, and no pave way for pedestrian. So this rule commonly becomes: people drive on the middle of the road, unless there is another car approaching from the opposite direction, you can slightly move your car to the left.

• All vehicles are on the same lane. Whether it is private car, truck, angkot (angkutan kota, public car), motorcycle, or bicycle, in some areas you also have delman (horse driven cart) and becak (human driven cart) on the same lane. To move along with them, you really need a skill to move the gear stick at the right moment and control the speed of your car to suit the speed of becak or delman in front of your car.

• Motorcycle can pass your car on whatever side. It can pass on the right or on the left of your car all the time. It can even be zigzagging across the road. So, beware! Keep the wheel straight all the time.

• Angkot has a privilege to stop anywhere. Don’t be surprised if an angkot passes on the right of your car, then suddenly makes a left cut in front of you and pull over to pick up some passengers on the left side of the road. Angkot is also granted a privilage to enter the road whenever they want without considering other cars’ right of way.

• Pedestrians can cross the street whenever and wherever they want, only by waving their hands. Since their wish is your command, your foot has to be ready to step on the brake whenever they suddenly cross in front of your car. Zebra cross is just a waste of paint and pedestrian crossing bridge is just a waste of construction material.

• People really love to use horn. Even if it’s in the middle of a severe traffic jam and people know that there is no possibility for the cars to move even for an inch, you can join them in blaring the horn, just to cheer up the situation.

• When there is an accident, it doesn’t matter who makes a mistake, the car will be given an honour to bear the responsibility. This is the rule of thumb: accident between car and motorcycle: the car is to blame, accident between car and pedestrian: the car is to blame, accident between car and angkot: the car is to blame, accident between car and becak: the car is to blame. To blame. To blame. So you must really, really proceed with caution.

• The last tip, if you feel like screaming, cursing or yelling at people that piss you off on the road, feel free to do so. Just yell it out from the window, or make a fist or any sign with your fingers. Nobody will be mad at you. People on the road are very understanding.

One thing I can guarantee about driving in Indonesia: if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. Enjoy! :D