“Haalo, Taxi?”
Jeff November 5th, 2007
This becomes a real common phrase to hear any time you exit a building in Dar. Thus begins the ‘decision’ on what an appropriate fare is for where we want to go. The decision involves a back and forth discussion on how much you should pay; usually you can get a ride for about 80% of the initial ‘quote’. I actually prefer this method as opposed to other countries where you get in and then get a big surprise as to what the cost is upon arriving at the destination. There isnt any ‘meter’ so if you need to go to the ATM or anything the driver just waits for you.
Most taxis that I have been in are compact cars (except for one ride in a Rav4) and generally are in need of a brake job as they scream in protest any time we need to make a stop. The actual ride in the taxi is where the real fun begins…
But first to describe the road conditions: I still have not seen any speed limit signs, potholes are a common occurrence, and it seems that the only rule in driving is that there are no rules. People are constantly crossing in the middle of busy streets, bikes (both motorized and not) whiz in and out between cars, and horns are used more than turn signals. The best way to describe what it is like is to describe a few situations:
- The other lane isn’t necessarily for oncoming traffic. We were once stopped behind a car and waiting to turn. Instead of waiting for that car to move, then pulling up and making the turn, our driver jumped into the other lane (forcing a car that was going to be turning down that road to stop) and then careened off into traffic.
- If there is an accident, drive around it… at full speed. We passed one accident at a really busy intersection that we have been through a few times. There was a tbone accident in the middle of the intersection (two lane street) and cars just flew around the accident whilst the police officers were off to the side discussing what happened as opposed to moving the cars and then having the discussion.
- When turning, ease into traffic instead of waiting. So many times I have been on a street with a bunch of cars driving past. Instead of waiting for them, drivers just ease into traffic until if the other driver didn’t stop, there would be an accident. This goes the same for any sort of merging, turning, etc… you just stick the nose of your car out there until people can no longer squeeze around past you (which they do).
Now that I have taken quite a few rides in taxis, I am a bit more used to it and notice that while there aren’t really any defined ‘rules’, everyone seems to play by the same lack of them, and things generally appear to work well in their own chaotic sort of way. I love it but cant say that I will be renting a car here anytime soon.
