xandreu wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:40 pm Someone once told me you can tell everything you need to know about a society by just watching their driving habits. The way they drive is like holding a mirror up to all the other aspects of their lives.

If you look at cultures around the world I think he's right.

This. "The way they drive is like holding a mirror up to all the other aspects of their lives."

There is one concept that Khmers simply do not grasp, and that is consequence. This is in every aspect of their lives. Like the potential consequence of pulling out into the road without looking, like spending their last $1 on beer and not having any food for the next day, like not going to school, like not saving money, etc, etc. Lack of the understanding of consequences. Not dumb, not selfish, they just don't factor in action / reaction.

Chuck Borris wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:24 pm As many of you have already noticed, Cambodians dont look right and left, check for other vehicles when they come from the side road. They just turn right to the main road and drive slowly in front of you. I had to break hard few times although I drive really slow and always expect some kamikaze will jump from the side road. If heavy truck with dodgy breaks would be instead of me? Splash.
I asked once my Khmer friends, just got laughs. Why? Any logical reason? Amulets? Buddha? Stupidity? TIA.

form of gambling?

John Bingham wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 1:01 am

John Bingham wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:58 pm

Chuck Borris wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:24 pm As many of you have already noticed, Cambodians dont look right and left, check for other vehicles when they come from the side road. They just turn right to the main road and drive slowly in front of you. I had to break hard few times although I drive really slow and always expect some kamikaze will jump from the side road. If heavy truck with dodgy breaks would be instead of me? Splash.
I asked once my Khmer friends, just got laughs. Why? Any logical reason? Amulets? Buddha? Stupidity? TIA.

It's actually in the law that they can pull onto the road from the left in front of you (depending on the lights/junction). If you hit them you're responsible. Some French-inspired weirdness I believe.

I meant from the right.

https://www.thelocal.fr/20190808/how-do ... in-france/

We have right priority in EU, but only where two roads are equal and there is no traffic sign, but everyone is still checking before turn right.

truffledog wrote: ↑Thu Oct 07, 2021 12:47 am

Chuck Borris wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 7:24 pm As many of you have already noticed, Cambodians dont look right and left, check for other vehicles when they come from the side road. They just turn right to the main road and drive slowly in front of you. I had to break hard few times although I drive really slow and always expect some kamikaze will jump from the side road. If heavy truck with dodgy breaks would be instead of me? Splash.
I asked once my Khmer friends, just got laughs. Why? Any logical reason? Amulets? Buddha? Stupidity? TIA.

form of gambling?

Or Russian (Cambodian) roulette?

That's why we all should drive slow, real slow, someone is going to pull out in front of you, you can't stop it.
Why they don't look before pulling out to save themselves is a total mystery, Maybe tunnel vision.

ego bibere nimis wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 10:44 pm

xandreu wrote: ↑Wed Oct 06, 2021 8:40 pm Someone once told me you can tell everything you need to know about a society by just watching their driving habits. The way they drive is like holding a mirror up to all the other aspects of their lives.

If you look at cultures around the world I think he's right.

This. "The way they drive is like holding a mirror up to all the other aspects of their lives."

There is one concept that Khmers simply do not grasp, and that is consequence. This is in every aspect of their lives. Like the potential consequence of pulling out into the road without looking, like spending their last $1 on beer and not having any food for the next day, like not going to school, like not saving money, etc, etc. Lack of the understanding of consequences. Not dumb, not selfish, they just don't factor in action / reaction.

Consequence, and also anticipation, mainly they drive and ride only thinking of themselves. I certainly drive and ride slow and with care, giving way mostly. Also keep a eye in the mirror, they will come from behind and not even see you most of the time.

yeah based on some very old French custom from the days of horse drawn vehicles I think I suspect the coachman could not see what was coming until half his team of horses were out onto the road...I'm forever slowing down and waiting for people to exit into the main road its not like my beer will be colder being in the fridge a few minutes longer

it does surprise some slow coach pullers outers (?) that once they are moving in a straight line and old fat barang wafts by on a mountain bike .....if I go out today though I will be braking a lot for the wandering holiday makers especially on Kampots traffic circles/roundabouts with 6 or more exits !