Driving in Kuwait

A Few Thoughts on Driving in Kuwait:

• Why do parents not put their children into car-seats here? I mainly see expat kids in car-seats. The locals tend to let them sit on their laps while driving (or riding). Sometimes the kids are hanging out the windows like a dog. Others I see standing through the moon-roof. If you could see the traffic here you would know why this makes my heart stop (besides the whole safety thing). One of the teachers saw an incident where a family had been in a car accident. The mom was wailing and cradling the dead boy, the dad was standing there, and the little girl just lay on the side of the road. That scene just says so much about the culture here. I didn't even see it and it haunts me. The concept of death here is that it's God's will as to when and where you will die. That's all fine and dandy, but what I want to know why you have to test it.
• Many of the accidents I have seen have been horrific. It is not uncommon to see a car on its roof, on it's side, on the other side of the road, or any other completely mangled way you can imagine. Yesterday on the way to Saturday school our bus was on the on-ramp to the school exit. Traffic was really backed up, so we knew there was an accident, the question was where. And yes, we knew - basically due to previous experiences with traffic being that bad - it's not the first time. A taxi was laying on the driver's side. Literally. The car was facing oncoming traffic. I just can't wrap my mind around how some of these cars get into these positions!
• Another day on the way to school we saw a car perched on top of one of those steel barriers. The best part of this one was that there was NO damage to the car. It literally would have had to of vaulted off something to get where it was. I think someone got a picture of that one...I'll try and get a copy and post it.
  
• There are times when cars weave in and out of traffic. It's absolutely insane how fast they're going - and it's not just at non-busy hours or roads, but at any time. There are days when cars practically blow your doors off they're going so fast. The vehicle you are in actually shakes!
• I have also seen young Kuwaiti men standing up on their motorcycles doing tricks in high-traffic areas. Most often there are at least two of them. I think the largest group I've seen was around 8. I have even seem them turn corners while standing up on the seat of their bikes - and no, they weren't holding the handlebars by leaning down.
  
• I saw a cow in the back of a pick-up yesterday. That was at least entertaining. Poor cow!

These are many reasons as to why I don't drive here. That and I've been figuring out how much I spend on taxi's and it's at least 1/3 to 1/4 of what I would spend on a car. It's too nerve-wracking. I have a couple of cab drivers whom I trust, and a few teacher friends who I catch a ride with on occasion. Alright, the other reason is that if I don't have a car I won't be inclined to go out and do the one thing most people do here regularly - shop. The goal is to travel and save money, not throw it away on items that are often ridiculously overpriced.

This is a picture a friend took of a more minor accident here. She was on the school bus! I have no pictures of accidents. I just can't make myself take them...




Sorry for the rant on traffic and driving. It's been on my mind a lot lately, and today it hit home due to a message from the family. BE SAFE PEOPLE!