Traffic

I am a horrible passenger. I would much rather be in the driver's seat in most circumstances (except on a plane or other commercial transportation system). However, I am realizing that driving here in Cambodia is also my biggest struggle. It isn't because I don't like the challenge of feeling like you are driving in a crazy, obstacle laden video game all of the time. For me it is more a sense of injustice that comes along with people not following the "rules of the road". Let me give you a few examples of how Cambodian traffic rules/laws.. differ from those in America, since those are the only 2 places I have driven.

Green Light:

• America: Go
• Cambodia: Go (so far so good) In fact, why not go early. The light is going to change in 5 seconds anyways, I will just start going now. Also on a green light, don't assume that cross traffic will be stopped or remain stopped. ALWAYS be on the lookout :-).

Yellow Light:

• America: Slow down and use caution. Make sure the light won't be red before you get to the intersection.
• Cambodia: Still green

Red Light:

• America: Stop and wait for the green light.
• Cambodia: When it changes to red, you have at least another few seconds of "go" time. Then stop unless you really want to go or if it seem clear or if you are in a really nice car and you are "more important" than whoever has the green light. Basically it is a subjective decision.

Right Turn Lane at a light:

• America: "Right Lane Must Turn Right"
• Cambodia: Right Lane Must Turn Right unless you want to go left. Go ahead and turn in front of all of the other lanes and make them wait while you inch your way through your left turn...from the right lane.

Left Turn Lane at a light:

• America: "Left Lane Must Turn Left"
• Cambodia: Left or Right or Straight. Doesn't really matter. Other people will gladly wait for you and miss their opportunity to get through the light all to accommodate your last minute decision.

Yield sign:

• America: Yield
• Cambodia: Don't Yield.

Speed Limit Sign:

• America: Travel within a reasonable range of the posted speed.
• Cambodia: A rare sight here. Vehicles in traffic travel any where between 1 m.p.h. (ox cart, elephant or person pulling a cart used to collect recyclables) to 70+ m.p.h. (buses, nice cars/suv's or anything that will go that fast...etc).  Cops are not equipped to pursue so most people don't really think about it.

Diamond Shaped sign with exclamation point on it:

Self Explanatory

• America: Not sure since they don't have them there.
• Cambodia: Not sure because no one I have asked knows.

Big Pig Truck going through an intersection on a red light.

Many families work together during the day. This is just a visual example of what you may see in traffic here.

Mobile beverage vendor.

Small glimpse of motos collecting in the middle of an intersection...they had the red light.

Following the path of least resistance.

Morning Ice Delivery. Most people don't have refrigerators so  daily ice blocks are a must.

Motos deliver sooooo much in the city.

Balloon vendor.

This little girl is riding in a trailer pulled by her dad's moto. Sweet face.

This 3-wheeled bike is pedaled around the area so he can sell the food that is cooking as he rides.

Local market right off the road.

Just a variety of "vehicles" that are seen here on a daily basis.

So those are just a few differences between traffic in Cambodia and traffic in America. Makes driving fun,  challenging here. Maybe at some point I will post a video of it. Although I have made light of it, the blatant disregard for traffic laws by people here is by far my biggest struggle. It strikes a chord of injustice in me. "Why should they be able to break that law just to accommodate themselves and make us all wait?" It is an exercise in love and patience EVERY time I get behind the wheel (or handlebars). If I can eventually learn that lesson, through the patient, loving encouragement of my wife, I will be a better person in the end.