Over the past 10 months I have been to many different countries and in that time I have learned quite a few driving rules that I think everyone should know. These are for the experienced driver and should not be attempted by any novice to these countries.
General Rules For All Countries:
1. The proper position for you hands while one is driving is not 10 and 2 like most driving instructors would tell you. The proper position is anywhere on the rim of the steering wheel and the horn. There are too many occasions when the horn must be used to move your hand from this position.
2. If someone tries to change into your lane, speed up and make sure they can't get in.
United States:
1. As a courtesy to others, once you successfully completed a lane change, put on your turn signal for one second to indicate what you have just done.*
2. Tailgating is mandatory, even if there are empty lanes in which you can pass someone.
3. It is totally acceptable to irritate other drivers with your loud bassy music, in fact, it is encouraged.
United Arab Emirates:
1. The posted speed limits are only a suggestion. Feel free to go as fast or as slow as you would like. And at that, don't be courteous to others by driving fast in the left lane and slow in the right lane, just pick a lane and stay there until you are moved.
Sub-rule: 120 km/h is the speed limit, EVERYWHERE
2. Even in long lines of traffic, it is your duty to get as close to the bumper of the driver in front of you and honk and flash your lights so that they will get over and let you move one car length forward.
3. Drive over the lane dividers in order to ensure that you have access to both lanes. Why should you be restricted to just one lane when there are so many?
4. The sound that occurs when you hit the country speed limit is not needed in taxis. Cab drivers may drive whatever speed the feel is necessary, but make sure to pound on the brakes once every couple of minutes.
5. Get irritated with people that slow down for speed bumps in the middle of the road, yeah, that's right, there are speed bumps in the middle of roads.
Saudi Arabia:
1. Lane dividers don't really mean much unless you are on the express way. Feel free to drive anywhere on the road, including the wrong way.
2. When approaching a traffic signal, make sure to be in the wrong lane to get as close to the light as possible, then when it turns great push your way into the proper lane.
3. When the light turns green honk your horn.
Bahrain:
1. Follow the same rules as Saudi Arabia.
2. When crossing the causeway, drive as fast as your car will go.
India:
1. A road marked with four lanes is just a suggestion, you can easily fit 9 cars wide.
2. When approaching a traffic signal, make sure there are as many lanes as possible so that you block oncoming traffic.
3. STOP! No, Seriously, stop wherever you feel like, even if it is in the middle of the road.
4. Pedestrians are a part of normal traffic, make sure to weave between them and almost touch them with your mirrors.
5. To change lanes, move further and further over until it is impossible for the car next to you to continue forward without hitting your mirror.
6. Remember that rule in Saudi Arabia about honking the horn? Ok, well here you need to honk it more often. Appropriate occasions to honk your horn include: You are changing lanes, Someone else is changing lanes, the light is green, the light is red, there are people in the crosswalk, there is a bump in the road, you accelerate, you break, etc . . . Basically the horn needs to be honked every minute whether it is needed or not.
Scotland:
1. Drive as fast as you can between traffic signals, it ensures that you will get to take a rest at the next red light.
2. Cut through crowded neighborhoods when ever possible to extend the time of your journey.
3. Change lanes as frequently as possible, even if it gains you nothing.
*This was a suggestion from Mark