This site has often had threads bemoaning the poor driving/riding standards of Khmers. There is the unparalleled commitment to looking forward only, most also insisting on removing the rear vision mirrors to prevent knowledge of what drives behind. Then the Freshie boys ride their mottos in and out of heavy traffic at comparatively high speed oblivious to the danger the present to themselves and others.
I can understand that for most Khmers having motorized transport is a relatively new and liberating experience. Road safety training has also yet to become ingrained in the culture and realistically youth all over the world behave badly when let loose in vehicles with little or no supervision. Hell it took me and many of my friends thousands of dollars in traffic fines before we wised up. Plus along the way there were some casulties.
The annoying thing for me isn’t the Khmers enjoying their new found motorized freedom. It is the trashy middle aged expats who insist on riding their old dilapidated dirt bikes along the waterfront, street 51, or anyways in between. They don’t wear helmets, are oblivious to the dangers of drunk driving and invariably have no baffles in their exhausts. The shrill of the exhaust bounces of the shop front down the narrow streets.
Then there is the arrogance. This week I was riding along street 110 at the intersection with Norodom, all the traffic was going slowly and the small amount of traffic on Norodom was slowing to allow the large number of vehicles mostly mottos to cross Norodom. Then down Norodom at great speed comes helmetless “dirt Bike King” with his helmetless Princess on the back. He screamed abuse at the wave of Moto’s even though he was going significantly faster than any other vehicle in the area. His high pitched squeal of “Nooooooooooooooooo” could even be heard over the ridiculously loud exhaust. Naturally the Khmers made sure he had enough room to avoid his early departure to Valhalla.
It is the middle aged irresponsible dirt bike riders, whose bikes really should in general go to the scrap heap, are the real scourge of Phnom Penh roads. Plus they should just know better.
The real Phnom Penh Road Menace
- marklatham
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Good point Bar One.
Just a few days ago my Mrs was ridding her little scooter past the golden lions here in Snooky and two barang on dirt bikes zoomed past here on either side at break neck speed, scaring the shit out of her. She continues to cruise up the hill towards down town and sees both the barang stopped. Apparently one of the idiots nailed a little kid getting out of school right there.
My Mrs. saw blood coming out of the kids ears and nose, certainly not a good sign.
The next day he died.
Now how do the parent's feel about this? They lost their son because some idiot foriegner likes to drive recklessly fast. How does it make the rest of us look?
And how does the barang speed demon feel now? Great, a couple seconds of fun racing your mate and now you're a killer. I know someone who knows this dude and apparantly he's not a bad guy, just a stupid driver. I don't think he wanted to hurt anyone, and now he's got to live with himself for the rest of his life.
Something to think about next time I'm driving my dirt bike throught town. At 40km/h from now on.
Just a few days ago my Mrs was ridding her little scooter past the golden lions here in Snooky and two barang on dirt bikes zoomed past here on either side at break neck speed, scaring the shit out of her. She continues to cruise up the hill towards down town and sees both the barang stopped. Apparently one of the idiots nailed a little kid getting out of school right there.
My Mrs. saw blood coming out of the kids ears and nose, certainly not a good sign.
The next day he died.
Now how do the parent's feel about this? They lost their son because some idiot foriegner likes to drive recklessly fast. How does it make the rest of us look?
And how does the barang speed demon feel now? Great, a couple seconds of fun racing your mate and now you're a killer. I know someone who knows this dude and apparantly he's not a bad guy, just a stupid driver. I don't think he wanted to hurt anyone, and now he's got to live with himself for the rest of his life.
Something to think about next time I'm driving my dirt bike throught town. At 40km/h from now on.
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You seem a bit defensive, bro. Can't wait to read the next comment. "I was drinking with LeePee and the wife and LaudJohn and I took his whole load on my face for a laff. What of it?"I was drinking at Salt for a laff with my wife and LeePee? What of it ?
No one's going to criticize you here man. Just be yourself. Your real friends will accept you for who you are, and who knows, you might make some more friends too!
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Many people enjoy motorized freedom in Cambodia, the freedom to choose to wear a helmet or not, the freedom to drive a bit too fast than is considered wise, the freedom that you can drive drunk without much chance of getting cought. I do not see why it is ok for khmers to drive too fast and reckless while westerners, used to boring and pretty civillized conduct of traffic, should remain driving defensive.The annoying thing for me isn’t the Khmers enjoying their new found motorized freedom. It is the trashy middle aged expats
One can often see that boys, usually with one or two friends on the back of a +-125cc scooter are not slowing down for intersections, because their bikes are too underpowered to get quickly back to their desired speed.
While I may get attention for "speeding" from one intersection to the next, I do slow down for intersections.
Everybody knows that traffic kills, and that the faster and bolder you drive the higher the chance of an accident befalling you.
Now I did put a baffle into my exhaust a few years ago, you are right about bikes without one just being too loud.
You are also right that shouting at other road users is bad manners.
But just because you have an old underpowered honda cub doesn't make white people driving a dirtbike scum.
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