What do you think of the traffic and drivers in Brazil?

18POSTS

5 years ago

Hey Y'all I was in Brazil last month for a mini vacation of a week and a half in Vitoria, Espirito Santo and I fell in love with the city and the state like I thought I would but couldn't help to think that the biggest drawback is that the way that people drive in Brazil.

I thought that overall it was much, much MUCH better than Rio de Janeiro, but still...

I am thinking about moving to Brazil next year and I don't think I will be driving there.

I noticed that drivers were very aggressive which is so different than where I live in the US.
Nobody stopped for Stop signs.

I didn't see much courtesy from drivers when another driver needed to enter the lane or pass. It seems like drivers are always in aggressive mode instead of calm, passive, friendly mode. I saw many of them honking for absurd reasons.

I live in Colorado, I would say that drivers in my city are very polite, calm and friendly, they let you pass, they don't honk for no reason unless there's a big mistake. I live in the city of a population of 165K people.

How has been your experience driving in Brazil or simply noticing how drivers drive there? Did you have to adapt and acquire some negative behaviors from that? For instance, if did you have to stop stopping for stop signs because others will honk at you or pass you? lol

I'm not bashing anything here or putting anything down, just pointing out some differences that I find important to know when it comes to day to day living.

I think I might just have to stick with Uber if/when I live there. I love having the ability to drive though, but hate the idea of always having to be on 'aggressive' mode all the time. I find that very stressful. I do experience that some when I have to take the highway and go to the capital of the state but other than that, in the city where I live driving is very chill.

How is driving in Brazil for y'all?

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mberigan Serial expat

401POSTS

5 years ago

Vivi, a fun read (in Portuguese) is "Fé em Deus e Pé na Tábua," (Faith in God and Pedal to the Metal) by Roberto DaMatta, 2010.

Brazilians are aggressive drivers. Some places they are more reckless than others. Still, I also find that once you get into their mindset and learn what to expect it isn't quite so difficult. I'm from Wisconsin where [at least some years ago] people mostly follow the rules of the road BUT also drive somewhat inattentively. Here it seems rules are to be broken yet everybody seems to expect that and are more focused on potential dangers.

I was once an avid motorcyclist in the states but won't ride here because of the high risk involved.

Take it slow and careful and you should do fine. But if you can afford to pay somebody else to drive, how cool is that??

Matt

rraypo Serial expat

777POSTS

5 years ago

mberigan wrote:
Vivi, a fun read (in Portuguese) is "Fé em Deus e Pé na Tábua," (Faith in God and Pedal to the Metal) by Roberto DaMatta, 2010.

Brazilians are aggressive drivers. Some places they are more reckless than others. Still, I also find that once you get into their mindset and learn what to expect it isn't quite so difficult. I'm from Wisconsin where [at least some years ago] people mostly follow the rules of the road BUT also drive somewhat inattentively. Here it seems rules are to be broken yet everybody seems to expect that and are more focused on potential dangers.

I was once an avid motorcyclist in the states but won't ride here because of the high risk involved.

Take it slow and careful and you should do fine. But if you can afford to pay somebody else to drive, how cool is that??

Matt

_____

I have ridden motorcycles in the USA for over 50 -years and keep 6 of them still in Oregon. Anytime I tell my wife or friends that I want one in Brazil, they all threaten to kill me.

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Texanbrazil ViP

2744POSTS

5 years ago

They are aggressive! In Houston I would open a door slightly and watch the dang scooters hit their brakes!!!!
Houston, I thought was crazy, most respected others but you always had bad apples. Here the majority are rotten apples.
When I went for a driver's license and they said I had to take that physc exam, I said come on 80% should not be driving.
My wife had 2 side mirrors knocked off by MC going in between cars!!!!!!!

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abthree Brazil Expert

6524POSTS

5 years ago

08/23/21

I lived in Boston for twelve years, and I haven't seen anything worse here in Manaus than I saw there -- and on ice yet, for almost half the year!

That said, although I have a Brazilian license, we don't have a car. Uber gets us everywhere we want to go for less money a month than keeping a car, so might as well leave the driving to someone who enjoys it. We're planning on moving to Brasília and expect to need a car there. That will be soon enough.

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Viviexpat Member

18POSTS

5 years ago

Texanbrazil wrote:
They are aggressive! In Houston I would open a door slightly and watch the dang scooters hit their brakes!!!!
Houston, I thought was crazy, most respected others but you always had bad apples. Here the majority are rotten apples.
When I went for a driver's license and they said I had to take that physc exam, I said come on 80% should not be driving.
My wife had 2 side mirrors knocked off by MC going in between cars!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHA hilarious comment "most are rotten apples" I couldn't agree more!!

Honestly I would be afraid to drive motorcycles and share the bicycle lane with drivers.
Here in Colorado, we give maximum space from people on bicycles, we almost go to the other side of the road to avoid them. But in Brazil there's NO respect for cyclists. I will def get a bicycle but I want to ride on the sidewalk and with a helmet (which is something that Brazilians think is goofy looking (I don't care anymore)

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Guest34567 Guest

0POSTS

5 years ago

Traffic “rules” here are - for all practical purposes - mere suggestions.

I’ve driven small cars and motos here; I have yet to get behind the wheel of a caminhão, but may one day try my hand at it.

I’ve found that you have to look out for your own interest while driving - you can’t be too concerned with what the guy next to you/coming at you is doing unless it’s going to affect you negatively. The driving culture is just different to what you’re accustomed.

The absurd amount of horn-honking, though? It’s more a courtesy than anything; folks generally honk when they’re overtaking someone or want to catch a pedestrian’s attention at a crosswalk, for example.

—————

Think of it like a guy in line in front of you at the market. He hops out of line to go grab something and comes back - in the US this will at the very least cause a confrontation; here, you let the guy back into line because he’d do the same for you, and everyone gets their business handled faster.

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NewBrazil Serial expat

342POSTS

5 years ago

I not tried to drive in Brazil first because I can’t read street signs. Second there are very few Street Signs to read for directions. When there is a constant buzzing of Mosquitoes that come from all directions ( I mean Motorcycle). When there no lines on the roads to separate traffic. Anytime you see a pothole you drive around it only to be in oncoming traffic. This happened without any notice. Every time you finally pickup speed there appears out of no where a speed bump you have to crawl over. When most roads are only one lane highway with large Trucks everywhere. It’s like playing Wylie Coyote hopping around the truck just to find another a kilometer or two up the road. In the cities drives cut you off all the time to move over into your lane without notice. Watch out for the Bus pulling away they don’t care if they hit your car. This not to mention the road conditions all potholes dirt roads that have some many hole you loose count. This is my experience of Driving in Brazil.

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Inubia Serial expat

293POSTS

5 years ago

#10

Ive driven over a million miles in the states, driven every kind of vehicle. Ive driven in Mexico, Belize, Canada and even in Great Britain, on the other side of the road. In Brazil, so far, Ive driven about 20,000 miles long distance and I own a motor scooter for getting around town here.
I kind of like driving here. It suits my personality, I guess.
As 13Clubs says, the rules here are mere suggestions.
In the USA by contrast, everybody is very strictly rule-based in thier behavior, most people drive by toe book, and inn fact moreso today than ever before.
Brazillians re simply focussed upon getting to where they are going as efficiently as possible.
But I would propose another difference ...in the USA the drivers are all very quick to judge each other and find fault, this is why road rage is such a big thing. Even many times when you do something that is oerfectly safe, like driving more slowly than the law allows, it pisses people off. Furthermore, the majority of drivers in the USA today are not paying full attention, some are drunk or high and most of the rest are engaged with their cell phones. Nobody is ever prepared for the unexpected, nobody knows how to deal with it, and so a simple skirmish on the highway is likely to become a major battle.
In contrast in Brazil, most Brazilians will bend over backwards to be helpful. Virtually all the drivers are very alert and aware of everyone around them. I particularly love the way that slow truckers will alert the driver behind them of when it is safe to pass, or when it is NOT safe to pass.

It is a very different style and it takes awhile to adapt to it.....but it suits me just fine .....

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Guest34567 Guest

0POSTS

5 years ago

#11

Never seen Anything like driving in Brasil in my life ..51 years 🚗and this is a disaster..

I currently am waiting a car in a "Consortium " ( never join one, NEVER) and if I ever get the fricking thing..I Sell immediately..as a matter of Fact I quit Paying into the Facil Consortium..things one learn living in Brasil

Back on Topic...The Worse, I mean Worse Drivers in the World...Hands Down, up,sideways any direction, just flipping BAD...KKK.
MAO,RUIM...EVERY BRASILIAN DRIVERS LICENSE-☆☆☆ REVOKED"..Para, Permabucho, Bahia, Maranhão....yea I said it...and I mean it...

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sprealestatebroker ViP

1288POSTS

4 years ago

#12

So you pahked the cah in the havid yawwd.

small world ain't it ?

Formerly New Bedford.

Plied my trade in Boston, btw.

There were no inner city that I was afraid off.

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Adriano Fiorini New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#13

@Viviexpat HI, i am from Brazil. Born Here, lived here all my life. Brazilians are aggressive people mainly on traffic. I struggle to adapt myself which i find really difficult. I have had road rage many times, now i use to pray a lot to not react to these free aggressiveness that Brazilians perform all the time. i would recommend you NOT to come here if you can choose to be in US. Although they may seen friendly sometimes this is only a facade. Overall Brazilian have disregard for ones which are not their families and friends. This is far more true in traffic, really aggressive people. Be safe, stay in you north America.

Adriano Fiorini New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#14

@rraypo In sao Paulo they are more respectful, try Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, is a Hell.

Adriano Fiorini New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#15

@Texanbrazil as a Brazilian i agree. Brazillians are very aggressive behind the wheels

Texanbrazil ViP

2744POSTS

4 years ago

#16

They are crazy everywhere. I have already replaced 2 side mirrors because they have no insurance. I would not open the door (I have thought of it myself) but you can drive without a mirror but not a door!

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Adriano Fiorini New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#17

@mberigan as a Brazilian i have to say. IS always a hassle driving here. they cut you off with no singling, they push you off out of your lane, you can't ride a bike, they tailgate almost all the time even if you are on the right lane, it is craziness.

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Adriano Fiorini New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#18

@Texanbrazil cheers! and believe me! people from the state where you live are usually more polite. The further you go north, the worse it gets! I just follow what outsiders say about us because sometimes i think i am the only crazy Brazilian that sees that our culture is rotten to the bones !

bepmoht Serial expat

296POSTS

4 years ago

#19

I driven a lot in the Vitória/Villa Velha area as that is where about 1/2 my wives relatives live. Her brother lives in Boston. I’ve seen more crazy things in Boston by far. In Brazil the, beep beep, is one of the most common sounds along with the barking dog and the rooster crowing!

The main issue in Vitoria is the choke points the three bridges create. I’ve found if you avoid driving there between 230pm and 7pm traffic flows relatively well. Of course that holds true for most places in the world, even Boston.

As far as Belo Horizonte MG, the motorcycles are insane there! The worse I’ve seen anywhere in Brazil.

The other scary thing about Brazil is the interstate Highways. I’ve driven BR101 between RJ and Vitória two times and also the Highway between Vitória and Colatina many times. The truckers can drive quite aggressively at times. However, I give myself plenty of time and only travel during daytime hours, preferably early.

Driving is best done when well rested. Avoid distractions and you’ll get use to any area. Of course, the easiest thing is get someone else to drive

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sprealestatebroker ViP

1288POSTS

4 years ago

#20

It depends on the municipality, and the demographics.....

Places where there are a lot of elderly folks, traffic is civilized. Drivers are courteous.

Sao Paulo's capital isn't known for patient and courteous drivers.

The ABC, particularly Sao Caetano and Santo Andre, they are a whole lot better, granted you live in an upscale neighborhood.

See, we do not drive those road cruisers, no Buicks, no Olds, no Cadillacs. The motorcycle bunch is not Harley, it's Honda, Suzuki. They weave and weeze by, in between lanes. They are daredevils. You must have your ears perked up and eyes behind your back.

Audi drivers, here and abroad are impatient drivers, they get adrenaline on their hearts.

SUV drivers, here and Stateside, are a clueless bunch, chatting on mobile while driving.

Econobox drivers are completely unaware of their surroundings as well and complete road amateurs.

There ain't no truck drivers, other than real full size cargo trucks. Bus drivers are kamikaze drivers, trying to beat their route schedules, and are severely underpaid. Nothing like your friendly inner city Mr. Huxtable type of old timey driver hauling poor black mamas around or your Yellow and Zealous School Bus driver hauling your little rascals from and to schools.

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Alex Paraná New member

6POSTS

4 years ago

#21

Hi,

If you drive in Brazil, you need to be a defensive driver. In Alaska, this is less of the case.

At road construction stops, watched out for bizarre passes.

I find the emergency vehicles' (police, ambulances, etc) continuous blinking top lights annoying and third-worldish.

The lack of standards for traffic lights and one-way signs is frustrating. Some traffic lights are directly above you, so you need to stop way before the intersection. You need to conscious think about what the one-way signs means - they are not consistent: they are a mix of affirmative and negative; plus you need search for them (similar to "where is Waldo").

If you like roundabout intersections, you will be in heaven.

Eventually, you learn to move about among the Brazilian traffic.

Take care,

Alex

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john8670 Contributor

128POSTS

4 years ago

#22

@Viviexpat I noticed this too. Drivers in São Paulo, São Paulo drive like they are always in a rush. Same with Recife.

KenAquarius Serial expat

391POSTS

4 years ago

#23

It seems to me that anywhere you have a massive population density, rules are ignored and common courtesy is a forgotten thing. Same thing here in the USA. Until recently l was commuting about 60

miles per day, and l saw everything from massive pileups to fist fights at traffic lights.

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abthree Brazil Expert

6524POSTS

4 years ago

#24

08/30/22 We just finished a visit to Vitória, Espírito Santo, and found the drivers there the best we've encountered in Brazil so far. They observe the speed limit (more or less!), and if we so much as looked at a zebra crossing, all the cars got ready to stop. The city is investing in more bike lanes, and the motorists seemed to be respecting them, too.

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Boston_Pinksox Member

2POSTS

2 years ago

#25

@abthree if you saw Boston now you would be surprised! drivers run the reds most of the times, they turn on red even when they are not supposed to and they are very dramatic, they honk for everything. nobody respects the the bike lanes, they park litera everywhere, even in the middle of a highway you can expect someone parking. So many mopeds, motorcycles, all unregistered, no helmet, riding the wrong way on the roads, electric bikes doing crazy things. You would be so surprised that sao paulo is not even half of it! So many people being ran over all the time, I was ran over myself for the driver’s negligence and cops didn’t do shit for me.

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Boston_Pinksox Member

2POSTS

2 years ago

#26

@Adriano Fiorini you don’t know how it works in Boston not even half Lol. they are very mean here! i thought Brazil was worse before I move here!

jasonlovesdogs Contributor

161POSTS

2 years ago

#27

The sad thing is even Brazilian public buses don't stop at stop signs.

bepmoht Serial expat

296POSTS

2 years ago

#28

Also remember, Formula “1” auto racing is a very popular spectator sport in Brazil. So the boys imitate their favorite futebol players and the men imitate their favorite Formula “1” pilots!