pissontheroof wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:11 pm they dont enforce wearing helmets law in siem reap anymore , they used to . i paid $15 one time , that was it .
i used to pay $1 or $2 in sihanoukville
i dont mind paying , its too hot here for a helmet and it feels good without it ..

It feels good unless and until your head hits the pavement, that is. Each to their own though - your head, your choice.

SlowJoe wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 6:55 am

pissontheroof wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 11:11 pm i dont mind paying , its too hot here for a helmet and it feels good without it ..

I don't know how these expats here ride bicycles all over the place. I can barely ride my scooter when the sun is out, and if I have to walk anywhere I start to shake and get nauseous, usually turning pale in the process.

I cycle 16kms everyday but than i'm not in PP<:-)
In Kep i never wear a helmet, but when i travel to Kampot always have one one>

Khmers are terrible, inconsiderate drivers

I wear a helmet all the time, even on a pushbike. Seen too many colleagues get killed because they thought a helmet was inconvenient/hot/messes up the hair.

Where we in the west are taught to be aware of everything around our vehicles, what's behind and to both sides, at all times, I was once told that the only thing Khmers are 'taught' when learning to drive is not to hit whatever is in front of you. The theory being that if everyone follows this rule, accidents would be impossible.

Once I learned this, many Khmer driving habits started to fall into place.
Joining a main road from a side road? Just drive straight out without looking - you're automatically in front of oncoming traffic which means it's their job to give way to you.
Crossing a busy road to join the adjacent road? Again, just drive straight out into oncoming traffic. It's their job to give way to you, as you are in front of them.
Pulling out from a parked position? Don't bother using your mirrors and waiting for a safe gap in the traffic. Just pull straight out - no need to even indicate. So long as you're in front of oncoming traffic, it's their job to read your mind and act accordingly.

You see - it all makes sense now don't it?

xandreu wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 1:25 pm Where we in the west are taught to be aware of everything around our vehicles, what's behind and to both sides, at all times, I was once told . The theory being that if everyone follows this rule, accidents would be impossible.

Once I learned this, many Khmer driving habits started to fall into place.
Joining a main road from a side road? Just drive straight out without looking - you're automatically in front of oncoming traffic which means it's their job to give way to you.
Crossing a busy road to join the adjacent road? Again, just drive straight out into oncoming traffic. It's their job to give way to you, as you are in front of them.
Pulling out from a parked position? Don't bother using your mirrors and waiting for a safe gap in the traffic. Just pull straight out - no need to even indicate. So long as you're in front of oncoming traffic, it's their job to read your mind and act accordingly.

You see - it all makes sense now don't it?

Plenty of drivers in the west with zero awareness of what's going on also; and a great many of them wouldn't last five minutes on the roads here without being involved in an accident.

Whoever told you that that the only thing Khmers are 'taught' when learning to drive is not to hit whatever is in front of them was talking shit btw; driving school here is crap but they are made to learn a good percentage of the traffic code; it's the bribes to pass that test that mean many fairly oblivious road users are around

willyhilly wrote: ↑Tue Jun 14, 2022 3:27 pm I read years ago that French law says that pulling out in front of traffic is legal. They must give way. If true Khmers bad habits make sense. Any French allowed on here and can comment?

The priorité à droite rule – or priority from the right – has a simple basis but some complicated applications.

Essentially, because the French drive on the right hand side of the road, at a junction or roundabout the vehicle that is approaching from the right has priority over the one approaching from the left.

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