I’ve often wondered how I’m going to handle driving in the Philippines. The lack of any regard for rules and signs is disconcerting to me and I imagine to many visitors from the States and other countries that adhere to some sort of semblance to order. I mean I get pretty frustrated currently with the driving I see locally, and with the amount of driving I do, it’s a lot of frustration.
Then I got to realizing, it might actually be better to know that no one is going to follow any sort of rules or courtesy. Here the problem is that you don’t know who will and who won’t. You expect that people should, but many don’t, and it causes you to become almost schizophrenic trying to determine what a person might do. In the Philippines I pretty much know what they are going to do – push and squeeze, first come first served.
I feel that lately I’m being prepared for the frenetic driving that I’m going to experience in the bigger cities in the Philippines. No, I don’t think I need to worry too much about getting around Samal, it’ll be Davao that will be more of a challenge for me. Samal Island may offer different challenges because of the roads and mode of transportation that could be used there.
I don’t know what it is – me getting older, the increased cell phone usage, less police on force, general disrespect – but it seems that there are more and more people out there that just have no focus on their driving anymore. We’ve got a new cell phone law here in Washington, but when you see the police driving around talking on cell phones, you know it’s not being taken seriously.
Running red lights, stopping 10 feet past the stop sign into oncoming traffic, ignoring yield signs, going down the wrong way on a one-way street; these are all becoming common place around here. Throw in winter driving (for those of you that don’t know there are basically three types 1) those that have experience and drive like it, 2) those that have no experience and drive like it, 3) those that have 4 wheel drive vehicles and for some reason think that helps them on ice – you’ll see them in the ditch later) and you have an all out mess at times.
So I’m thinking that I’m getting well prepared for my initial attempt at driving in the Philippines. I suppose I really don’t have to drive in that anymore, if I only venture out to Davao on occasion. I could keep my driving local to Samal. Though some of the taxi rides I’ve had there haven’t exactly done anything positive for my blood pressure either 
Photo credit: alfredo camba jr. | www.pbase.com/image/85951168
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Jul 11, 2010 @ 20:45:11
I’ve driven here and I have observed the driving habits of the drivers here and I think part of the reason it’s different here is because most people drive a motorcycle. This makes it more difficult to come to a complete stop. I think it’s also the reason they cut early to make a left turn.
Around here in Digos, there are no stop signs so everyone slows down, looks and then continues. Seems to work for everybody here. I haven’t seen anyone driving while texting or talking on a phone like back in NJ.
When I was a teenager I used to go roller skating a lot and we would go pretty fast. The trick was to not fall or collide with anyone and after a few years, I got pretty good at it. Driving here remind me of those day roller skating. Driving around looks kind of crazy to the new, but there’s a lot of strategy to it.
Jul 11, 2010 @ 20:55:20
Undoubtably there is a greater variety of vehicles on the road there.
Another addition to the congestion is the dropping off and picking up of passengers on many of those vehicles. Between the trikes, jeepneys and taxis alone, you have quite a bit of loading and unloading usually right in the street.
I know it works there, for the most part, I’m just not sure how well I can work in it.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 13:53:52
it’s surprisingly easier that you think. everything’s slow and every driver is instinctively driving defensively. i always find it funny when a visitor is scared to drive because of how it looks from a passenger’s perspective. remember that a filipino may find the US’ freeway speeds & instinctive right of way rules there equally scary. just jump in & you’ll find out. piece o’ cake.
Jul 14, 2010 @ 17:47:38
I’m sure you’re right, but as you say it sure doesn’t look that way.
Having grown up there you may be a little more used to it than you know. I don’t find Davao as bad as Manila, but from what I understand it hasn’t gotten a lot busier the last so many years.
Jul 17, 2010 @ 18:04:17
Hi Randy! I’m a Pinay that now live in Dallas with my family. We do visit Davao every 2 years. I used to drive there when I was younger, High School and College years. Now that I haven’t done so in so many years (we have family driver now) I’m scared to even attempt. But I think it helps A LOT if you drive an automatic car rather than a stick shift..
Enjoy your vacation there
Jul 18, 2010 @ 07:50:42
Hi Red – I may give it a try when we visit to see how bad it really is. We were thinking of going to Bukidon, so maybe I could rent a car for the day. There would only be a little driving in Davao, coming and going.
I’ve always driven a stick, so I’m not sure the automatic would be any better for me.
We are looking forward to the vacation there. Been quite awhile.
Jul 21, 2010 @ 09:46:34
I’ve been driving everywhere in the Philippines except metro Manila. I don’t know my way around there (even the major places like the embassy and the airport), so I hire a driver for about 1000 pesos for a round trip.
It’s all defensive driving and I usually have a major headache by the time I stop driving for the day. The only time it feels anything like driving in the states is when I’m on one of the expressways. Thank goodness they exist or it would take all day to get anywhere.
Jul 21, 2010 @ 12:44:39
I guess I’m really going to need to look at how much driving I’ll be doing in Davao. If it’s only once a week, or less often, it may just be simpler to find another mode of transportation. If I find it’s more often, then I’ll probably have to bite the bullet and get acclimated to the situation.
I don’t ever have to plans to drive in Manila. If we go there it will just be to visit, and I’m not taking a vehicle. That’s just more than I care to deal with.
Jul 23, 2010 @ 22:28:25
Last time I was over (in January) I drove a pick-up and a moped through the city. I didn’t find it too bad. Everyone takes a lot of care through the junctions. It’s just a matter of expecting the unexpected and giving your self enough room to stop but not enough room for someone else to squeeze in…they’ll do it anyway, but there’s no agression like there is in the West.
Jul 24, 2010 @ 07:58:12
I’m going to look into a moped or some similar means of transportation for Samal. I don’t think I’ll be using that for the city, though. Who knows, maybe I’ll change my views on that after being there a while.
I’m going to pay more attention to the traffic in Davao this time. It seems the general consensus is that it is as bad as it looks.
Aug 05, 2010 @ 17:57:47
Maybe I’m a weirdo but i LOVE to drive here in Davao City ! lol In Vancouver where I am from everyone obeys the rules of the road and you can depend on what the other drivers will do , but here its a giant mad free for all ! And I love it! Sort of like the wild west – lawless but not without certain unspoken rules . But once you get your past driving experiences out of your head, and start just ” going with the flow” you will find no problems at all. People are much more accepting about what others do here and dont get all freaked out if someone doesnt obey the written rules ! But you certainly have to be assertive coz for sure no one is going to stop to let you into traffic, but if you just start slowly squeezing in people will stop for sure! It helps if you pick the right vehicle to squeeze out of the way lol Motorcycles and trycicles know their place in the pecking order and always stop [ probably out of self preservation !] The jeepneys you have to be careful of coz they are mostly big and ugly with huge welded on steel bumpers – and tend not to give way to anyone – unless given no other choice.
You have to learn that if you want to get into a lane you have to get enuf of your vehicle into a space that no one else can move into it- so they then let you in. But as was said earlier- everything tends to move much slower here than we are used to and that makes a huge difference. main thing is to not get your panties in a knot and just ” go with the flow” lol
Aug 05, 2010 @ 21:40:04
Hi Ian – actually that seems to be what most are saying that have driven there for awhile. I think it’s mainly those that haven’t, like myself, that are concerned about it.
Sounds like it’s mainly a matter of getting used to it and keeping your cool. I may have a bit of work to do on both of those matters.
I’m sure that if I need to badly enough, I’ll do it. Just a matter of how badly I’ll need to drive in the more congested areas.
Dec 24, 2013 @ 14:09:26
Drivers in the Philippines are just retarded. There is no other word you can use to describe the drivers here. Running red lights, turning from lanes they are not supposed to, driving opposite to traffic. And ever wonder why the retards here don’t drive in their lanes? And why can we not go for more than 5 seconds without hearing somebody honk their horn?
I live in Pasig and I am grateful for the cops here because they actually give out tickets to those that break the rules. I prefer not to drive here because I would get road rage very easily.
Dec 24, 2013 @ 16:17:54
Well the one things I can say in their favor is that most of them pay a lot more attention than in the States. They have to here, because it’s every man for himself, and if you aren’t looking you’ll be sorry very quickly.
The horn, for the most part, serves a good purpose (right or wrong) that you are coming up on someone and intend to pass. When used in that matter, it helps avoid further accidents. Now I’m not saying everyone uses it that way, but many do.