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Post by halfwaythere on Aug 24, 2012 20:35:48 GMT
Dear Forum users
I have heard and read quite a bit about erratic driving in Saudi and also recently saw a journalists take ( CNN Video) about "Drifting" on Middle Eastern roads. The video showed driver's skills of moving car sideways at high speed while the pedestrians watched alongside the road.
Is it to be expected during one's every day City or Highway driving in Saudi?
I am in the midst of hiring process and thinking about what kind of car I would need there for my family. Looking at the Drifting video, I am thinking nothing less than Volvo XC-60 or 90, which has superior safety ratings than other SUVs.
Some of the car sale websites posted on this forum don't have Volvo listed on them. Is Volvo not available in Kingdom? Any recommendations for other medium or large size SUVs from experienced users. Ideally vehicles that would withstand extreme heat, are reliable and also safe family vehicles?
Thanks
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Post by Hadia on Aug 24, 2012 23:53:35 GMT
Everyday driving involves a lot of people not staying in lanes (if they're even marked), cutting you off in traffic, crazy long red lights and such short green lights that drivers careen at high speeds trying to get through intersections. Four way stops are a nightmare in the souqs. Narrow streets with cars parked on both sides, and it's every man for himself at the stop signs. Also, the entrance and exit ramps from the highways are a trip, with everyone on each other's bumpers and creating their own lanes out of the shoulders and anywhere they think is a spot to wiggle into. It gives white knuckle riding new meaning.
Driving inside the camp is a breeze. Once you hit the main roads outside, however, it's defensive driving time. It's worse at night. More cars, harder to see what's going on. The best time to get used to driving and figure out where everything is located is early on Friday morning. You'll pretty much have the roads to yourself. A lot of people like SUVs so they are up higher and can see better on the highways, and also 4WD for desert driving.
You'll find that being a more aggressive driver is a must. If you wait for someone to let you in, or if you leave what is supposed to be reasonable stopping distance from the car ahead of you...you'll get cut off and mowed over, not to mention left sitting at a 3-minute red light again. LOL
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Post by Boustrophedon on Aug 25, 2012 5:08:48 GMT
A quick google search suggest that in KSA Volvo is distributed by First Motor Company. They would have a showroom in Al Khobar.
I've been living and working in the Middle East for years and confirm that assertive driving is a must. A car that is big enough to get noticed (and maybe even respected) does help.
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Post by halfwaythere on Aug 25, 2012 18:44:13 GMT
Thank you.
It looks like I will have to use my driving tricks learned from driving in manhattan and uptown houston:)
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Post by GroveWanderer on Aug 31, 2012 7:20:43 GMT
While I agree with the majority of your post, I have to take issue with this part. Aggressive driving is never a must. The more people drive aggressively, the more chance of accidents.
I still always leave a safe following distance to the car in front - not to do so invites problems. If there is an accident and the car in front of you comes to a sudden halt (having hit the car in front of it) you risk not being able to stop in time and becoming part of the multi-car accident.
I am still able to get around just fine in local traffic while driving defensively. I'd much rather spend an extra 3 mins at a traffic light than the several hours (especially in the current baking temperatures) that it takes to sort out even the most minor fender-bender - followed by days, if not weeks, of visits to Government Affairs, Traffic Police, Insurance offices, repair gaes etc. It's an experience I had to go through recently and it's not one I would wish on anybody.
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Post by Hadia on Aug 31, 2012 19:34:11 GMT
Okay, I'll go with the replacement word "assertive," instead of "aggressive." But I still maintain my point that you have to step it up.
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Post by almostcheerful on Aug 31, 2012 21:53:25 GMT
After reading all posts related to this issue and after watching couple of Saudi traffic videos I convince myself that "all the time defensive driving" may not be an option ( for me only) but to drive with care is must. Btw before moving to Canada I used to drive in a country where there is no sense about traffic and laws and temp.in summer is higher than Saudi like 45-50 celsius. Whenever i go back home I can't afford to drive as per Canadian driving habits, so I drive like others are driving and i dont feel uncomfortable at all.Driving in saudi is not worst than where i used to drive. Defensing driving is better by all means.
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