|
Regardless of improvements to the
road infrastructures in
Portugal, when you take to the
roads in
Portugal you do so at your own
risk, like anywhere else, but you need to be aware,
acutely aware, of all other road users and their strange
use of indicators, overtaking techniques and inability
to manoeuvre roundabouts in the correct lane.
When you
take to the
roads in Portugal, you do so hoping you
won't end the day as another crash statistic waiting for
a tow truck, at best, or ambulance at worst.
Road accidents in Portugal
on relatively empty roads, in good conditions are
unfortunately a common
occurrence. And, and when the weather turns nasty you can expect to
see several crashes, even if you are completing a
relatively short journey.
Don't expect drivers in
Portugal to slow down when the roads are awash with
water from a sudden autumn cloud burst. You are far more
likely to find drivers in Portugal speeding up,
aqua-planning and crashing into oncoming traffic.
It is law in
Portugal
to pass a driving test before taking to
the road in a vehicle and it is not uncommon to see slow
moving, L-plated cars manoeuvring carefully round
roundabouts indicating well in just about every town in
Portugal.
Though it is just as common to see these learners being
over taken erratically by drivers who are texting on the
mobile phone, while eating a sandwich and steering with
their knees as well.
It is a little bit of a
mystery to road users from other countries and to the
Portuguese government themselves as to this phenomena
which turns a relatively passive nation into demons on
wheels, who have little or no spatial awareness or
consideration when in a motor vehicle.
So if you're going to
drive
in Portugal take care and what out for traffic - in all
directions. |
