JC3

So says a survey of drivers in the UAE.

Sound familiar?

Indicating is a sign of weakness, finds UAE driving survey

Thanks to Meow in the Sandpit who posted the link on BE.

JC3

abdulawwal

One of the most frustrating things in Malaysia! And when you horn someone that nearly crashes into you due to not indicating, they look at YOU as if YOU'RE the one that's crazy!!!

I met a Malaysian who I informed of this and he told me 'if you indicate, people don't give you way. So better to barge in!'

Gunnar45

I find that indicating and s l o w l y changing lanes or turning works quite well here.
It is riskier to drive in Europe because you trust other drivers to obey the rules.....
More so now with the influx of people with different interpretations of traffic rules :-)

bakedbean

It's a strange thing about locals. In general, I find Malaysians very pleasant and helpful. They always help you out....at least I find that. But put them behind the wheel of a vehicle and something happens. Nobody ever lets you out into a lane of traffic. Ever.

There's some kind of competitive mentality that kicks in. The same with haggling over a ringgit or two. I mean...why? Life is too short.

Love using my horn. I drive a nice little Suzuki Swift which came with a little horn that sounded something like a wet fart. It didn't do the job here, so I had it replaced with a much louder horn. It's really fun. Especially behind bicycles

JC3

Think I've seen you. Is this it?

JC3

JC3

And nobody ever lets you out of the lift before they get in...Doh!

We call it the "I go first, lah" mentality.

JC3

Gunnar45

Size and looks matter.
People are more considerate if you have a large and dented van.
But in general I think the strategy is to avoid eye contact with your fellow drivers.
Quite contrary to what they teach you in Europe.

I think this also applies for the elevator case.

columbine

I scrapped and dented the side of my old car going down a parking ramp and decided not to fix it. As Gunnar noticed other drivers seem to take note and keep a away from me when I drive that car, it's not even a van just a 11 old KIA hatchback with 50+k mileage that the car dealer was offering me peanuts to trade in for the new car

InVinoVeritas

Yes, if you combine this with not indicating then you can pretty much just drive where you want. But of course you have to hope that the other driver is ALSO pretending that he is not looking.

Gunnar45

IVV.
In your own interest you should of course always use the relevant indicator!
After all you want the others to see you.
Unless of course you happen to belong to the machos not wanting to show weakness.

This about eye contact was learned in Taiwan where I was told that a good excuse in case of a crash was that one had not seen the other vehicle.
And since you are expected to look at least forward and even with an extreme tunnel vision also a little to the side, the guy coming from behind will definitely and officially see you and you can change lane when and if you judge that he can break to let you in.

If you get eye contact, he will mostly conclude that you have seen him and therefore not let you in.
In practice you should of course always be aware of what goes on around you, but you don't necessarily have to show that.

I noticed also that this strategy works fine also in Africa and to some extent in Europe.

OriginalSunshine

I've had different experiences in Sarawak.

In lifts, it's about status. It's quite funny watching everyone work out who has higher status than them and who goes out first.

On roads, people do give way. Right hand lane is for straight ahead traffic at any speed, left hand lane for myvis, bikes, and those turning on or off allowing about 1km for them to get up to 40kph.

Signals are used.

Horn is never used except to say "watch out" and it is the briefest toot you can and should give. That said, offend the wrong guy, and you have an Iban with a machete and throat tats trying to smash in your windows.....

ex reg

Unlike all you lot I find Malaysian drivers very good and easy to deal with. There again I do live in singapore.

bakedbean

This sounds very much like Phuket where horns are very rarely used. Driving is bonkers but polite. No anger. But on the rare occasion when tempers flared, a gun will come out, and sometimes used....yeh.

NeonHippy

I believe that Malay drivers have adopted and slightly modified the motto of the SAS.

HE WHO HESITATES LOOSES.

Davita

I believe in India the law states..."He who blew his horn last caused the accident!"