Driving In Pakistan

Here are some unwritten rules that I have picked up and may come in handy if you were planning on driving in Pakistan:

• ·      When it comes to switching lanes, do not expect the driver to signal, but if you here honking you better get out of the way, because the driver is moving over regardless if you move or not.
• ·      Signalling is confusing in general, because it can mean 3 different things.
• 1. (Unlikely) The car will switch lanes or is turning
•  2. (More likely if truck in left lane) The driver is telling you he/she will not move over
•  3. Vehicle is indicating that you should pass them.
• ·      When it comes to honking, if a car is honking at you it means they have taken right away and you best get out of the way or you will get hit. It does not matter what side of the road the car is on either.
• ·      If you see a pedestrian who is about to cross the road make sure you honk. If you honk and they still cross, its their fault. But if you hit a pedestrian without honking its your fault for not warning them.
• ·      The honking rule is the same with just about anything. As long as you honk your okay it is the other person’s fault (yes this means honking is a regular thing with day to day driving and most likely passengers will not be able to sleep).
• ·      Licence and registration are not necessarily required as long as you carry a few extra Rupees to give to the police so that they can get “Tea and biscuits.” In fact if you’re okay with bribing there’s no need for official anything.
• ·      But if you do want to stay legit, make sure you have the driver handbook with all proper licence and registration with you. Even this though and the police will still sometimes ask for “tea and biscuit” money just because.
• ·      Traffic lights may or may not work depending on whether the power is up or down, which is about half the time. If they are not working do not panic and do not stop, you most simply honk and try to squeeze your way through all the rest of the traffic that is coming at you.
• ·      At the odd times traffic police may actually direct traffic; if you’re driving a motorcycle, or a rickshaw you may be able to get by without paying attention to the officer.
• ·      If you are driving a motorcycle you do not ever have to follow behind bigger vehicles or stop. Sidewalks, side of the road, wherever you think your bike will fit – you can drive there.
• ·      Speeding is mostly okay except when it is decided that the police want to reinforce it, but even then if you’re a foreigner you might fine 600 Rupees worth being able to drive faster.
• ·      But even if you felt that a speeding ticket was within your budget, you have to keep in mind that there are speed bumps everywhere. These bumps are not just cows, sheep, goats, people, donkey carts, and camels they are actual speed bumps. Some of the speed bumps are made from dirt and clay other ones are big cement ones and they do not MARK them!
• ·      That brings us to signs. There may be some signs to tell you what a road is, or what is coming up, or there might not be. Do not expect it. When it comes to construction, be careful because there is a good chance there will be nothing telling you about what is ahead.
• ·      Watch out for potholes and other hazards everywhere.
• ·      A helpful tip from a New Zealander: “Think like your skiing or snowboarding on a busy hill, and only pay attention to what is in front of you.”

Blurred Cart pulled by horse

One of many Colourful trucks found on the road

This cart has been retired

Motorbike driving fast on the sidewalk

Coming up next time on Jason’s Pakistan: “ME FIRST!” – You got the “rules of the road” now read how it works in real time! (Including the story on how we got to Shikarpur)