Observation of Polish drivers, by and English anthropologist.

Daisy 3 | 1,224

21 May 2011 #1

I've just started reading a book by English anthropologist Kate Fox, daughter of Robin Fox, also an anthropologist. She explains how growing up with her father, he taught her how to study people when entering a new country for the first time and, how this has always remained with her, she then givers the following example;

Two years ago, for example, my fiancé Henry took me to visit some friends in Poland. As we were driving in an English car, he relied on me, the passenger, to tell him when it was safe to overtake. Within twenty minutes of crossing the Polish border, I started to say 'Yes, go now, it's safe,' even when there were vehicles coming towards us on a two-lane road.
After he had hastily applied the brakes and aborted a planned overtake at the last minute, he clearly began to have doubts about my judgement. 'What are you doing? (...)

web-consulting.fr/romook/index.php?en/Voyages

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

21 May 2011 #2

That's just scary, man. You better hope the driver moves over.

Wroclaw 44 | 5,379

21 May 2011 #3

and when he doesn't u get the cross at the side of the road.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

21 May 2011 #4

That could be why there are so many...

wildrover 98 | 4,441

21 May 2011 #5

You better hope the driver moves over.

They always do...if they see you coming....

The problems arise when the oncoming driver is not looking out for you due to telling off his kids in the back seat while texting on his mobile phone....

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

21 May 2011 #6

I still don't think I could drive into oncoming traffic like that, trusting on the good faith of other drivers. I wouldn't try to pass...at first. If I saw other people doing it and the drivers always moving over, I might get the nerve to try it then.

Gregrog 4 | 100

21 May 2011 #7

Heh, so we have here suicide anthropologist;) Overtaking like that is the simplest way to get killed. It is also forbidden by law:) You can't overtake when there's incoming vehicle on the 2nd lane. NEVER.

grubas 12 | 1,384

21 May 2011 #8

It is not you like drive into oncoming traffic regardless conditions.And it is an unwritten rule that the vehicle you are overtaking moves to the right to give you more room.I always do that and it really pisses me off when someone don't but only ******* a$$holes and stupid foraigners don't do it.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

21 May 2011 #9

Then I wouldn't try it at all, lol.

pawian 223 | 24,390

21 May 2011 #10

See the perfect example of 3rd party overtaking.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

21 May 2011 #11

There's some fast reflexes, Pawian, lol. It's something one doesn't see everyday.

pawian 223 | 24,390

21 May 2011 #12

I was sitting next to the coach driver and wasn`t scared. I just knew that coming cars would move to the side. I am a naturally born killer Pole. :):):)

Wroclaw Boy

21 May 2011 #13

The most common cause of accidents in Poland from my observations are cars overtaking from three or four behind the slow vehicle then having car one or two pulling out also to overtake thus colliding with the car from behind already committed. If you ever wondered how so many accidents can happen on straight roads that's a classic example.

Antek_Stalich 5 | 997

21 May 2011 #14

This is why I try driving through either 4-lanes or -- caution -- ternary roads, where hardly any traffic exists. This is how I made Wrocław from Masovia last morning: Since the Eight (especially near to Piotrków) is under total repairs (and that route from Bełchatów is classical example of bad two-lane primary road), I have driven by secondary and ternary roads making my route in 4:30.

wildrover 98 | 4,441

21 May 2011 #15

You can't overtake when there's incoming vehicle on the 2nd lane. NEVER.

The Polish drivers do not appear to know this....

Antek_Stalich 5 | 997

21 May 2011 #16

Who, I? ;-)

Wildrover... generalizing? ;-)

pawian 223 | 24,390

21 May 2011 #17

I think the main cause of accidents is speed. Poles love breaking speed limits. They seem to think that speed limit signs are set in miles but nevertheless, always manage to break them:

MAREK_ANO

21 May 2011 #18

YES, SURE

Antek_Stalich 5 | 997

21 May 2011 #19

I think major problem are suicide drivers joining the traffic instead of yielding. I see this as the MAJOR problem in Poland, and I drive a lot, so I know.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

22 May 2011 #20

This is why I try driving through either 4-lanes or -- caution -- ternary roads, where hardly any traffic exists.

That's really good advice. Avoid roads with cars on them ;)

Antek_Stalich 5 | 997

22 May 2011 #21

PlasticPole

Really, why not? This morning, the only vehicles I met on the road were delivery vans. Not much trouble. The only slowdown was on the last segment, the remaining part of the Eight from Walichnowy to Wrocław, when everything slowed down, as always on primary road.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

22 May 2011 #22

I totally agree with you. I prefer driving roads with little traffic, myself. Less to worry about that way.

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

22 May 2011 #23

I prefer to have some asphalt on the road, Pawian, heh.

pawian 223 | 24,390

22 May 2011 #24

How about a little bit of off road adventure?

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

22 May 2011 #25

Only with a 4 X 4 that won't get torn up.

pawian 223 | 24,390

22 May 2011 #26

Why do you say 4x4? Shouldn`t it be 2x2?

wildrover 98 | 4,441

22 May 2011 #27

Have a look at this crazy Polish driving...

Its very safe though...

More mad Polish drivers...

PlasticPole 7 | 2,648

22 May 2011 #28

Why do you say 4x4? Shouldn`t it be 2x2?

Hehe. Four wheel drive vehicle ;)

wildrover 98 | 4,441

22 May 2011 #29

Much safer than driving on the tarmac...and great fun....

Dirty filthy Poles....

youtube.com/watch?v=56zdggE0bHI&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Wroclaw Boy

22 May 2011 #30

I think the main cause of accidents is speed. Poles love breaking speed limits. They seem to think that speed limit signs are set in miles but nevertheless, always manage to break them:

indeed its the speed that ultimutely kills, if everybody drove round at snails pace there SHOULD no accidents, however slow moving vehicles such as tractors create many accidents - causing others to become impatient and then overtake.