This could be one of the weirdest questions I’ve ever been asked to answer during my travels, but let me start by saying I’m not trying to lump all motorists in these countries together. I’m not saying that all the inhabitants of the soon-to-be-nominated country are bad drivers. What I mean to say is that, in my experience there, I had the worst experiences in terms of driving. Also, I would like to point out that I’m originally from Italy so, technically, I could be considered a “bad driver” myself, if we’re going on stereotypes! But in my defense I can say that I try not to be, at least.
Growing up in Italy, though, didn’t really allow me to develop a sense of harmony and coherence in terms of my driving attitude. In my homeland, the street laws are interpreted “artistically” by its inhabitants. Long story short, Italians drive usually like maniacs.
Thus, when I say “bad driving skills,” I’m not referring to drivers that are inclined to speeding or dangerously maneuvering their vehicles (which requires skills, in a way), but instead to people that, without the necessary awareness of their machines and its dynamics, take on the road and make their way nervously through traffic, jeopardizing everybody else and not blending in with the rest of the drivers.
Take Bolivia, for instance, whose motorists have some of the worst reputations in South America.
The incredible architecture of La Paz. Photo: Paolo
When I was there, I saw cars with no headlights or no seats or missing doors. Sometimes there were old station wagons carrying lamas on the roof and inside the vehicle too. Busses loaded with 3-4 times the allowed capacity, roaming around the steep roads of the altiplano, struggling to go faster than 15 km/h and emitting smoke darker than a Tim Burton movie. People with no driver license, no insurance, and no clue what to do on the road. To put it bluntly: Road safety was not a priority.
One in front, two at the back and two on the roof. Photo: Paolo
But still, I believe that even though the driving conditions were harsh and brutal at times, Bolivian people are not bad drivers. Actually, they are quite capable I would say, considering the environment they drive in and the fact that they likely receive very little formal training.
With that in mind, for Latin America, I believe the prize for worst driving I’ve ever seen would go to Peru.
Ironically enough, Peru’s roads have the most spectacular views of all South America… but these aren’t the only incredible scenes I’ve witnessed while riding through the country. I had people literally pushing me out of the road; I saw a minibus hitting other vehicles on purpose to take the spot in front of the queue. Of course, everyone has to put up with the incessant and pedantic use of the horn for no particular reason.
The epicenter of this terrible driving is Lima, the country’s capital. It’s even dangerous for pedestrians to walk around town. I almost got hit couple of times myself by some crazy taxi drivers. You rarely see bicycles or motorcycles in the city because it’s too dangerous for them to ride in traffic.
But Peru isn’t the only winner of this silly competition. There’s another country that deserves at least a nomination for their terrible behavior towards motorcyclists. That’s right Canada, I’m talking about you.
Too beautiful to win this award but… Photo: Paolo
If you have followed my adventures on Instagram, while riding through Canada, you know already why I’m mentioning this country in particular.
I encountered four road rage incidents, and my stuff was stolen from my bike while in the country, so for me it was the most challenging and dangerous for riding in all the Americas. A truck driver took the time to hop off his truck at 7 AM and walk toward me to yell at my face that I wasn’t welcome in his country and that I had to stay behind him. Another dude on a fancy Mercedes wanted to ram me with his car for taking his precious spot in front of him at the traffic light, while rolling at 15 km/h in Vancouver. I had another truck driver almost hit me for switching lane and take his spot at the traffic light.Really Canada? What’s going on? You don’t like motorcycles?
Sorry, hosers. I believe Canada deserves to win this awkward award, or at least to be up there with Peru. Maybe because everybody drives so cautiously and everything is so perfect, that motorcycles are seen as a disruption of the serenity and, as such, the major cause of frustration during your relaxing driving day.
Now, what do you think? Do you have any funny stories from your own travels in Canada?
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Publish date : 2024-06-13 11:22:33
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