The different driving style between US and China
As a driver who drives everyday in China, I don't understand American driving rules at first. Many different traffic rules exist between China and America. It is easy to get confused for me. If I had never drive in the past, study driving rules in America would be easier. But now I have to shut down the Chinese logic and turn on an American brain every time when I hold the steering wheel. Here are examples that I think which are different between Chinese driving rules and American driving rules.
Slow down (CN) VS Speed up (US) when switch lanes.
When I learned I have to speed up when change lanes in America, I was totally shocked. In China, you have to slow down to check the mirror before switch lanes. You make sure the driver is willing to let you in first. Because the speed of coming cars is very fast, so you have to slow down to tell other drivers that you want to get in. If some drivers would like to let you in, they would slow down. But in American theory, you have to speed up, try to match up the speed as the coming cars. Both theory sounds reasonable to me. However, here is a friendly remind. Some people think speed up when switch lanes is rude in China. It would cause some drivers mad! They probably think you are "jumping the line"!
No speeding in any circumstance (CN) VS Match the speed with other cars despite they are speeding (US).
I got a question similar to this topic in American driver's licence writing test. Something like "if the speed limit is 60, the cars around you all drive 70. What would you do?" I chose the answer like" whatever them, I limit my speed at 60 all in all." But probably I was wrong. For your safety, you'd better match up the speed as cars around you. It is very different in China. Speeding violate the rules, regardless what other drivers do. If no one caught you, you are lucky. But if you get caught , speeding is your fault, no excuse, no exceptions, paying fines is a must.
Policeman pull over your car from front (CN) VS from back (US).
I know nobody wants be pulled over by the cops. But you have to know the rules or you are in a big trouble. Policeman in the America follow a car, then turn on the police alarm if they decide to pullover it. But in China, first, pullover a car by police cars is not as common as in America. Beijing's road have many showing or hiding cameras to record everything. Second, if the police want to pull over a car, they will drive in front of it, turn on the police alarm, use loudspeakers warn the driver to stop. So while you are in Beijing, if a police car is behind you while its alarm on, what you have to do is, change lane immediately, let the police car pass you. Remember to keep driving, don't need to stop. Unless they use loudspeakers to force you stop. Third, if Chinese drivers got pull over, the first thing they would do after they stop is, jump out of the car as soon as possible, smile to the police officer, try to waive the fine. Chinese think this behavior is friendly, and show their respect to the police officer. But opposite, It is extremely dangerous to do so in America! I heard many drivers come from China got caught because they purely want to show nice after being pull over by American police officer!
Fortunately, the same as America, people drive in right side in China. I know many European countries drive in left side. That sounds extremely difficult to me. Especially while making a turn, go to the wrong way is very common. When I was in Hong Kong, walking across the street even becomes dangerous because I often check left! Thanks to the considerate people in Hong Kong. They paint significant signs on the ground say:" Look Right! ->" These signs saved my life! Please remember, a common sense for you may not even ever heard by people who have different culture. Before you visit other countries, gain basic acknowledge about destination is your required course.
Have you ever experience driving in other countries besides America? What different rules do they have there?
Slow down (CN) VS Speed up (US) when switch lanes.
When I learned I have to speed up when change lanes in America, I was totally shocked. In China, you have to slow down to check the mirror before switch lanes. You make sure the driver is willing to let you in first. Because the speed of coming cars is very fast, so you have to slow down to tell other drivers that you want to get in. If some drivers would like to let you in, they would slow down. But in American theory, you have to speed up, try to match up the speed as the coming cars. Both theory sounds reasonable to me. However, here is a friendly remind. Some people think speed up when switch lanes is rude in China. It would cause some drivers mad! They probably think you are "jumping the line"!
No speeding in any circumstance (CN) VS Match the speed with other cars despite they are speeding (US).
I got a question similar to this topic in American driver's licence writing test. Something like "if the speed limit is 60, the cars around you all drive 70. What would you do?" I chose the answer like" whatever them, I limit my speed at 60 all in all." But probably I was wrong. For your safety, you'd better match up the speed as cars around you. It is very different in China. Speeding violate the rules, regardless what other drivers do. If no one caught you, you are lucky. But if you get caught , speeding is your fault, no excuse, no exceptions, paying fines is a must.
Policeman pull over your car from front (CN) VS from back (US).
I know nobody wants be pulled over by the cops. But you have to know the rules or you are in a big trouble. Policeman in the America follow a car, then turn on the police alarm if they decide to pullover it. But in China, first, pullover a car by police cars is not as common as in America. Beijing's road have many showing or hiding cameras to record everything. Second, if the police want to pull over a car, they will drive in front of it, turn on the police alarm, use loudspeakers warn the driver to stop. So while you are in Beijing, if a police car is behind you while its alarm on, what you have to do is, change lane immediately, let the police car pass you. Remember to keep driving, don't need to stop. Unless they use loudspeakers to force you stop. Third, if Chinese drivers got pull over, the first thing they would do after they stop is, jump out of the car as soon as possible, smile to the police officer, try to waive the fine. Chinese think this behavior is friendly, and show their respect to the police officer. But opposite, It is extremely dangerous to do so in America! I heard many drivers come from China got caught because they purely want to show nice after being pull over by American police officer!
Fortunately, the same as America, people drive in right side in China. I know many European countries drive in left side. That sounds extremely difficult to me. Especially while making a turn, go to the wrong way is very common. When I was in Hong Kong, walking across the street even becomes dangerous because I often check left! Thanks to the considerate people in Hong Kong. They paint significant signs on the ground say:" Look Right! ->" These signs saved my life! Please remember, a common sense for you may not even ever heard by people who have different culture. Before you visit other countries, gain basic acknowledge about destination is your required course.
Have you ever experience driving in other countries besides America? What different rules do they have there?
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