Driving here is stressful; especially in the cities. Economic progress over the years has brought more drivers out on the streets (cars and motos) but not the necessary expansion of freeways, overpasses or other infrastructure that would make driving here, perhaps, less stressful.
To a certain extent, this is probably true for most urban areas around the world so Brazil is no worse than many and might even be less stressful than most…but it is still stressful to drive here.
The main problem with city driving: you never know what they will do. There is no pattern to the lack of driver discipline.
MotoBoys will pass on the right, go up on the sidewalks, cut through corner gas stations, go against the traffic flow. I mean, they are like a sworn of bees.
The MotoBoy problem will get worse since the cost of riding the bus for a month will pay the monthly installment on the purchase of a moto.
I drove in Saigon years ago and it was worse than Brazil, but I had a different mind-set then. It was a war-zone. There were no rules. It was driver beware. In Brazil there is no war. There are traffic rules and regulation, but folks tend not to pay much heed to them, but it is still “driver beware”.
The MotoBoys are not liked but in many cities they are important to keeping the economy going. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. Besides, how will you get your pizza delivered without the MotoBoys?
Take a Ride in São Paulo
LINKS:
> Eyes on Brazil – Motoboys of Brazil
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