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Driving Quirks From Around The World

Driving in India

When you go abroad, are you shocked by appalling drivers?

Do you find yourself dodging traffic, getting hooted at and just generally trying to stay alive?

All of us are bound to have witnessed some shocking driving abroad. With that in mind, the classic car insurance broker Adrian Flux has done a bit of investigation to find out some interesting driving facts from around the world.

 

Deaths by dangerous driving

According to the most recent World Health Organisation Report, road accidents kill around 1.2 million people per year, while 50 million are injured. In Europe, the country with the highest number of car accidents and fatalities is Italy. In 2010 there were almost 4,000 road deaths, or 6.6 per 100,000.

Speeding 

The German Autobahn motorway network, the fourth-longest highway system in the world has no general speed limit (although a hard limit is imposed on some vehicles such as buses carrying passengers, trucks and passenger cars pulling trailers). According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Germany’s death rate due to speeding is 75% higher than the UK.

That’s not to say that German drivers are all speed demons, although it raises an interesting debate about speed limits on motorways.

Drink driving

A recent survey by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL), where it conducted more than 900,000 random breath tests over seven days found that the Moldovans are the worst offenders with a drink drive rate of over 19%! The Swiss came second with 7%, while drivers in the UK rank third with 6%.

Inconsiderate drivers

There’s no research to support this theory, but most travellers agree that the world’s most inconsiderate drivers have to be found in China. The general rule for the road is that “whoever gets their bumper in first has right of way!”.

Noisy drivers

India is one of the world’s most populated countries, so the roads are something if a little congested! India’s roads are populated with rickshaws, trucks, cars…and cows. It’s also incredibly noisy – many Indian drivers honk their horns without thought. It’s the done thing.

Dubious drivers

Finally, the award for the world’s most dubious drivers has to go to India too. Very few driving schools exist and obtaining a driving licence is commonly obtained by paying a bribe to an official. Then you have the Indian police force, which is notoriously corrupt. They are trying to stamp out the practice of bribes, but a simple backhander of 50-100 rupees often keeps everyone happy!

Liam Tarry

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