Driving in Goa
 

We are going to borrow a car from a friend and I was wondering what the correct procedure is if you get pulled over by the Police. Also are there any funny driving rules and parking restrictions. I would hate to find that the car had been towed away assuming that the do tow cars in Goa or is that just something we have to put up with in London?

Re: Driving in Goa
 

If you follow the rules and the displayed traffic signboards there shouldn't be a problem.

Re: Driving in Goa
 

Better way,close your eyes and pray..............

Re: Driving in Goa
 

JCbrum,
I did not u/stand your statement.

Re: Driving in Goa
 

If you regularly (i.e. daily) drive on UK motorways & in city centres you won't have a problem in Goa. I know motorcycles are regarded as unsafe but I feel better riding a bike in Goa than I would driving a car - in bigger towns on a bike it is quite amusing with the teeming volumes of traffic and the speeds are slower so as long as you keep your wits well about you, you should be fine - I find having my wife on the back of the bike screaming at me does help me focus on the driving & ignoring her! :rofl::rofl:

Regards

Hemingway

Re: Driving in Goa
 

My husband drives in central London several times a week so he should not have too much trouble. We usually rely on taxis to get around and have had several near misses over the years including crashing into a couple of bikes. Recently we have found that they have been getting more expensive and as we often visit early or late season there have been times when we can't find one at all.
I will be the one screaming the instructions whilst trying to read the map assuming we can find one.
How much is petrol, I presume it is a little cheaper than in the UK.

Re: Driving in Goa
 

I mean you take your life in your hands driving here.We went to Panjim today and i must have seen at least 5 near misses but, my wife drives here so maybe it's just me.

John

Re: Driving in Goa
 

Does anyone know of a good reliable driver with a large car/van that could be looking for full time employment come Nov.1, with a private family?

Re: Driving in Goa
 

We have had several so called good reliable drivers over the past 15 years but it always ends up in an argument. What starts off as a good arrangement is usually spoiled by greed. As they say familiarity breeds comtempt.

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I do know someone reliable, he has his own vehicle "toyota qualis" I can ask him if you are really interested. He does airport transfers for the guests in my apartments. Please state the number of days required.

Jcbrum:
I totally agree with you but things will improve. Atleast we should follow the rules and set examples.

Powerhouse:
I disagree with your statement my family has a driver who has been with them for the last 30+ years. It all depends on how you treat him. Or else you did not find the right driver.

Re: Driving in Goa
 

Milward,
A am glad to hear that you have had a good experiance, and you are right about getting the right man for the job.
Our last driver was with us for around 4 years. At first all was fine then he purchased another taxi and started sending friends to collect us. Often they were late or did not show at all. His brother would often arrive with his wife and then do a round the houses trip collecting his children from school. All of this would be charged to us.
The final trip was when we went to Mapusa, his brother arrived 45 minutes last, with his wife and daughter, took his daughter to school and his wife to her friends in Mapusa. We said we did not want him to wait as we did not know how long we would be, he called our regular driver who told him to charge us Rs600. We eventually took a taxi home to Candolim for Rs250. If he ahd beene fair to us we would still be with

Re: Driving in Goa
 

Petrol is about 55 rupees a litre, maps are easy to find but of little use to find your way around, bikes and scooters drive anywhere, on either side of the road, and at times overtake on the inside and the outside and try to go over the top as well. They can be like a swarm of wasps and none will wait at a junction but just come straight out.
Everybody cuts corners so approach carefully and use the horn as often as you can. Car, truck and bus drivers make up the rules as they go along, the bus drivers are extremely dangerous.
Talking of which buses are cheap and run often, 8 rupees to Panjim, but we get off at the ferry and cross for nothing, but be careful on the ferry at rush hour it is chaos.

Re: Driving in Goa
 

It is mad driving around in Goa. Road rage is quite common.

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I totaly agree and if you are not a local than the locals of that area have an upper hand (might is the right). I prefer public transport all times.

Just for information sake now Goa has a public emergency number 108

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Sounds rather like central London in the rush hour.

I wll have to let you know how we get on, assuming that we survive.