Driving in Asia: Horns or Brakes?
Driving in Asia is quite the unique experience, at least in the eyes of these two Canadians. It’s unlike any other place on the planet (well maybe South America) and seems to have its own random ‘code of ethics’ and ‘rules of the road’.
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| From RTW Highlights |
It’s easy to get frustrated with North American driving. We’ve all had a moment of cursing and single-fingered hand gestures. Be grateful! You don’t know how civilized and organized the roads really are… that is of course, until you drive the dusty streets in Asia.
Traveling through India by taxi or tuk-tuk is an exhilarating and terrifying experience. If you’ve traveled to Asia before you’ll have an idea of what we’re talking about, although each country seems to have its own distinctive twist on road etiquette.
We’ve heard that it is roughly 30 times more likely to get into a vehicle accident in India than in North America. We can see why!
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| From India |
Horns or Brakes – What’s more important?
Let’s start with the honking. In Canada, a horn is rarely used except by tailgating road-ragers who have no patience. In Asia, the horn is as important as the brakes. Possibly even more important because often times drivers have no intention of stopping anyways.
The horn is used to communicate; it’s like a primitive version of Morse code. One beep means something totally different than two or three beeps; and of course the long single wail typically means “move out of the way you %$#@!”
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| From India |
It’s actually comical, but extremely annoying, observing how frequently drivers use their horns… especially motorcyclists. When a motorcycle is cruising down a street cluttered with pedestrians, the motorcycle driver will abrasively beep the horn, letting the pedestrians know that he’s approaching.
Now is that really necessary?
A simple beep is sufficient. Even if the pedestrians didn’t hear him approach, do you think that scaring the crap out of them with your horn will help? But those are the accepted ‘rules of the road’ in Asia!
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| From India |
While driving through the congested city streets of India, drivers will literally keep a continual honk going for up to 500 meters… now imagine every driver doing this at the same time. It quickly loses its affect and purpose, yet drivers continue to do it.
In fact, many drivers come to expect it. Many large trucks have “please honk” painted on the back. Our assumption is that they simply don’t want to use their rear view mirrors and need a loud wake-up call? Many trucks and buses even have their own unique horn jingle, similar to a cell phone ringtone.
Even after three months in Asia we still can’t figure out the honking logic because it seems to change from city to city. But one thing is consistent… the honking never stops!
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Have you experienced driving in Asia? Care to share an interesting story?
Share your experiences in the comments section below!
Cameron and Nicole Wears are a Canadian couple and newbie parents living in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. A passion for travel and outdoor adventure has taken them to over 65 countries & territories on 6 continents in the past 7 years. Consider following us via 
Haha, so true, so true. It’s just madness over there and is really just funny after a while. The only thing you can do is just shake your head at the absurdity of it all. I don’t know if you’ve been to Vietnam yet, but we found the driving practices to be most chaotic there. That first overnight bus journey was quite interesting. If you go there and take an overnight bus, be sure to sit in the middle or back. If you’re near the front, the horn WILL keep you awake all night long.
We didn’t take a bus in Vietnam but we had the opportunity to take many overnight buses in South America. They sound about the same as your Vietnam experience, terrifying!
I’m from Asia myself (Malaysia to be specific) and I find that the traffic and honking in countries like Cambodia and Vietnam are too much. In Malaysia we only honk when it is necessary, but nonetheless it was quite an adventure to sit on swaying tuk-tuk and crossing the road with tones of motorcycles crossing left and right in Vietnam!
Elaine, I went on exchange to USM in Penang a couple years ago and you’re right! Driving in Malaysia is far more civilized. No need to pay to go to an amusement park, just cross the street in Vietnam:)
Speaking of Vietnam, check out this video we took from an intersection in Hanoi – where do you begin?
http://travelingcanucks.com/2010/05/motorcycle-hanoi-vietnam/
In the UK the horn should only be used to make others aware of your presence. It is often used as an aggressive sound to others. But in some countries abroad I’ve been to, it’s just constant tooting and honking, so confusing! The horn is sometimes a friendly sound there though as well.
Thanks for a fun article Cam and Nicole!
So many times I’ve been sure my life is over when taking buses/taxis/tuc-tucs/ /motorbikes in Asia. The worst experience was probably in the north of Sri Lanka, when taking a bus from Jaffna down south where I was squeezed in between two onion bags and couldn’t move and the bus was so bumpy it almost fell over (every fifth minute there was an “oohhhh”). But there’s a trick! Close your eyes and try to fall asleep (in that way you don’t have to face your fear). That’s how I survived (at least from having panic attacks).
Cam and Nicole, which has been your so far worst experience? And where?