Driving in Peru

Ok, I know it's been quite some time since I posted anything on here, but things are finally settling down a bit after the holidays and other things that have happened. I've spent a lot of time during the last month doing stuff with my girlfriend's family. Before this last month, most of my time was spent trying to get a job and drinking on the weekends. I figured it really wasn't much to write about. Now, I have a job although I would like more work and I have had a few adventures! I'll start with one that is rather interesting - Driving in Peru!

Let me start by giving you some background on why traffic and driving in Peru is the way it is. There is really not much in the way of traffic enforcement down here by police because Lima is so big, they spend most of their time trying to keep traffic flowing. Most Peruvians also believe that most police officers are corrupt and the only reason they are stopping them is get a bribe from them as well. This happens because the police force is quite poorly paid here. Until recently, I would say most of this is true. However, Lima and Peru are starting to take steps to make the police force less corrupt and increase true fines for drivers, especially bus drivers (their driving is truly horrific) and taxi drivers.

I would say the largest problem is the buses and combis (small vans). Most of these vehicles are quite old and there are so many of them. They crowd the streets and stop wherever they want without regard to traffic often times. Often, you will see them race each other to pick up passengers first. Riding one of these things can definitely be hazardous to your health as they slam on their brakes all the time. They will also do whatever it takes to get around traffic; drive off-road, up on the curbs, run the lights, and cut-off other buses and traffic. The next big problem is the taxis. There is an unlimited number of them and most of them are unregistered. They do the same as the buses as they are trying to make money too. I remember my first taxi ride in Lima

as I didn't think I was going to live for more than 20 minutes in Lima as the driver whipped in and out of traffic without regard to pedestrians or much else it seemed. The good thing about the system here is that it is really cheap to get around for the most part. I can get across Lima for about $4 - $5, and that's all the way across Lima in a taxi!

With this being said, driving in Lima takes a unique ability to be an extremely defensive driver, but at the same time a very offensive driver if you plan on making it anywhere. You always have to figure that the person on the side of you or in front of you is going to cut you off or slam on their brakes. At the same time, you have to be willing to cut people off and just go for it if you ever hope to move in the traffic here. It's also interesting as people seem to turn from the furthest lane over even if there is a turn lane or even a no turn sign. They really don't care it seems like. And one other thing, if you ever drive here - expect to honk and get honked at .... a lot!

With all this being said, driving is slowly becoming better here as the roads become better, police become better equipped and less likely to accept bribes, and the rules are changing to encourage better driving behavior, especially with the buses and taxis. The transport system is also being updated here with newer buses and new transportation systems.