How To Drive In Asia-Pacific

Following is a write-up that I found in the guest house that I thought was awfully accurate. I added notes from my experience.

To operate a motor vehicle in Asia-Pacific, you must understand the transportation gestalt in an entirely different way. Definitions that you thought were above redefinition will immediately be redefined. Please pay attention.

THE ROAD
Includes not only the paved portion of the highway, but also what others might call the verge, the curb, the sidewalk, the front yard and the roadside restaurant. The paved portion of the roadway is generally one lane wide. Not one lane in each direction, but one lane.

LIGHTS
Rapidly blinking the headlinghts can mean many things, including, "OK to pass now"
"Dangerous to pass now"
"Get out of the way"
"May you find the thread of gold in the linen of existence"
It takes year, sometimes entire lifetimes, to learn this subtle and intriguing intuitive nonverbal communication skill. Generally, however, you have about three seconds. (NOTE: Generally you blink your lights after dark and honk during the daylight - it's amazing how they automatically switch from the horn to the light controls)

THE HORN
When sounded loudly and frequently, the horn sets up an invisible energy berrier protecting the vehicle and its occupants from all harm. The faster the vehicle is going, the better the horn works. This is the central concept of Asia-Pacific motoring.

LANES
These colorful white and yellow markings wish a hearty Selamat Datang to every traveler. They have no other function. (NOTE: In one place we've been, if there was no one coming the other way, it was safer to drive down the middle of the road because people would come into the main road from side roads without slowing or looking.)

SEATBELTS
Absolutely unnecessary. Not only are they not worn, they are not even provided. Passengers are fully protected by the horn.

PASSING
The national sport of Asia-Pacific. Observant motorists may encounter the Vertical Triple (passing three vehicles in one acceleratory movement), the Horizontal Triple (passing a vehicle that itself is in the process of passing a vehicle) (NOTE: I almost got hit when a guy tried passing me when I was passing on my moped back in a different city) or even the rare Double-Double (passing a vehicle at precisely the same time that another vehicle, coming in the other direction, is also engaged in the act of passing).

TAILGATING
What to do when not passing.

ACCIDENTS
Rare. Usually the result of a malfunctioning horn. (Note: I think it's actually because you don't usually get much past 50-60 kmph. If traveling at "normal" speeds there would be many more accidents and fatalities. People also expect to be cut off and so make allowances for that. Doesn't seen to faze them at all.)

Thanks again for praying for safety for us on the road!