Driving in Czech Republic

Well, they drive on the other side of the road for a start!

Driving in the Czech Republic-

I saw an article about this about 12 years ago that I put in a blog somewhere. These words may seem exaggerated, perhaps wildly so, but you may find the reality to be far worse.

"Czechs show a cavalier disregard for their own personal safety and driving rules in general. The taxi drivers are reckless and the police are not known for their good manners. This is not helped by poor road signs( if any) and the rule that gives priority to traffic form the right

Drive defensively

Self discipline has never been a salient feature of Czech character and with so many driving today it is a miracle that so many survive the experience. Navigating is a mixed game of blind man's bluff and Russian roulette, in which traffic lights, signs and the highway code in general are gleefully ignored. These are habits rooted in a cultural defiance of law and its representative symbols that date back to the socialist times.

Jeopardy abounds and the prevailing rule is: No mercy!!!

Add this to a deficient public attitude toward safety and poor driving skills and your have a ready mixed cocktail for multitudinous accidents.

There is an accident here every three minutes. The first word of caution is that, in the eyes of Czech drivers, pedestrians rate just above pestilential insects and the bubonic plague.If you are still daring enough to experience Prague on foot , then superb physical fitness, advanced motor reflex skills and nerves of steel are highly recommended.

Other basic guidelines

Use pedestrian crossings, but be aware that they provide no guarantee of reaching the other side alive and well. On the other hand do not make any sudden moves on pedestrian crossings in rainy weather, because the glazed white paint is scientifically designed to eliminate all traction when wet. In rainy weather also notice that Czech pedestrains carry an umbrella not over their heads, but at knee level aimed towards the road, the better to avoid a sudden deluge from heedless passing drivers.

Another favourite feature for pedestrians is the cobblestone pavements which provide free foot massages and make high heeled ladies dance like Ginger Rogers while avoiding the cracks and the ubiquitous merde du chien.
Since 1997 the urban speed limit has been reduced to 50 kms and so now drivers slow down to as little as 70 kms now.

The average driver regards cyclists somewhat more highly than pedestrians, insofar as colliding with a metal bicycle will damage new car paint more than will the frame of the average pedestrian. Drivers express this regard by clubbing cyclists with their side mirrors while passing at the speed of sound. Tourists that arrive here carrying bicycles on caravans should know that cycle paths are exceedingly rare.This carries the prospect of travelling home faster minus the weight of your broken bicycle.

Whilst enjoying the gorgeous scenery, you will encounter splendid road drains, tram rails, uncovered manholes and innocent looking puddles that mask potholes the size of the Bermuda Triangle, all of which should add to the pleasure of your outing and gives you the chance to sample the high standard of Czech medical care.

In Prague , be particularly attentive to the hoards of couriers and messengers. They are easily recognised because they travel to their destination in their scooters and return via ambulance.

Being aware of signals for city trams is especially helpful because Czech tram drivers are renowned for their own courtesy. Rather than breaking to avoid an accident , which might possibly disturb the newspaper reading of the passengers, they prefer to simply ring the bell merrily before bulldozing your vehicle aside.

In summary, the foreign driver to the Czech Republic must be an adventurer with contempt for his own life and all wordly goods. Scepticism , mistrust and anticipation of the expected are sterling qualities of safe motoring here, just as ruthlessness and intolerance are for your Czech driving opponents.

The earlier you understand this the more likely you are to survive"

Mannerless without regard for the law. Most dangerous country in Europe to drive. Horrifying experiences in the rain on the  D1. Barry

Triumph1 said it all.
They drive mad, they are insane.

On open roads, no matter if there is a line or a double line, or even a corner, if they "need" (they just want to) to overtake they will whenever! So watch out!!

Simply there are no rules there!

They drive on the wrong side of the road, don't tell you you're planned route crosses the Ore Mountains - in late November - through scenic yet somehow grim villages of 4 stores, 3 churches and 14 houses. While novel at first for a desert dwelling Australian getting more and more lost in the mountains the driver is treated to vistas of snow covered hills, pheasants, foxes and then a Czech woman playing chicken on the tiny roads who will not give in. After you have gotten back your senses after being run off the road by a gunslinger stunt driving grandma you will drive a little further before a massive deer runs out slamming into your car causing it to spin through a fence and end up buried in a field. While the Czech grandma who owns the field screams angrily at you the deer will run off unharmed. The Czech grandma will give a final physically emotive torrent of abuse with a glare that would scare the Klitschko brothers before stomping off and slamming her door, leaving you to die. That is my experience of driving in Czech.

I realise thread is over a year old but I'm still really angry at the nasty old woman and the deer.