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The Craziest Drivers in the World Are...

by Iva Skoch (RSS feed) on Jan 15th 2007 at 12:50PM

How does one define a "bad driver"? In a good portion of the civilized world, we tend to think of it as someone who drives fast, passes without seeing what's ahead, doesn't stop for pedestrians, honks impatiently ... and frequently breaks the law.

This definition does not apply in other places. Take Eastern Europe: Bad driver is typically seen as someone without the skills to drive a bad car 100mph on icy roads, someone who frequently slows down traffic by driving the speed limit or someone who doesn't take off within exactly one second of the light changing. This school of thought automatically makes every person above 55 and 95 percent of women bad drivers. Really, the only "good drivers" would be single, childless men between 18 and 30. And, according to some, good drivers would definitely not be Australians.

Some say that the people of Rome are the world's worst; others think Buenos Aires is crazier. Several sites are dedicated to the awful drivers of the Arabian Gulf (aka Persian Gulf). A few Mexico Cities, LAs, Rios. And finally, one study shows that Russians are the worst in Europe, with 25 percent admitting to having sex while driving.

I cast my vote for the drivers in Egypt, the world's most enthusiastic honkers.

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Italy

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)

Majid Jan 17th 2007 3:18AM

Where is Arabian Gulf. Perhaps you mean the PERSIAN GULF. This the real, official. historical and eternal name of that part of the world.

Iva Skoch Jan 18th 2007 4:02AM

Arabian Gulf refers to the Arab countries of "The Gulf" (most of them), not the Persian part (Iran).

And, really, is anything eternal?

palmer Jan 19th 2007 2:18PM

Craziest drivers? Definitely in Beijing. Now with all the car bying explosion in China,add motorscooter,motorcycles and bicycles and then try to drive at Beijing at rush hour!!! Wow!!! The Chinese are crazy behind the wheel.Make the French look like nice little lambs!

king Jan 19th 2007 2:37PM

I think that having sex behind the wheel is great fun!

Meisam Jan 19th 2007 2:49PM

It's Persian Gulf- Get it right. It doesn't matter who lives where. It has been for thousands of years before those so called "Arab" countries, even spoke Arabic. Many countries in the Middle East did not even speak Arabic until the Islamic empire took hold of the region. Let's not make the same mistake National Geographic made and show some respect and honesty towards the truth.

chos Jan 19th 2007 2:48PM

GOOZ

Mario Jan 19th 2007 2:53PM

i'm in miami,fl and i've had sex driving more than once or twice, so i could imagine it being easier in more northern state, country roads for ex. I am surprised they didnt mention any latin countries aside from mexico and buenos aires.

randy Jan 19th 2007 4:09PM

well, go to india, they are f..crazy when they drive.
buenos aires it's not worst than new york my friend. nothing bad about 84 renault, french cars better than americans :-)

Porscha Jan 19th 2007 3:07PM

Persian Gulf Arabian Gulf who gives a flip we all know what part of the world they were talking about and arguing about what to call the place is off topic. Lighten up people no need to get uptight about something so minute. Worst drivers...The Chinese!! Rush hour over there...WOW!!!!

jim fay Jan 19th 2007 3:00PM

There are only two types of drivers in the entire world. 1. Axxholes
2. Maniacs
The first one is ANYONE who is driving slower than the car in question.
The second one is ANYONE driving faster.
We all get a chance to be an obstacle or a spectacle on the road.

Jason Jan 19th 2007 3:14PM

This little article picks on bad drivers; women, old people, "SANE" people. All of you only car about ARAB Gulf ... well that title refers to Arab's along the Gulf Coast (Saudi, UE, etc.) Not all Gulf coast n ations are Arabic... the writer was trying to say the ARAB drivers over in those countries are "bad" drivers. He did not say ALL Arab drivers were bad just those in that region which DOES happen to be known as Arab Gulf, not Persian Gulf. Things change, there is no USSR, the U.S is not the Colonies, and Germany is possibly back on its way to being Germany and not East and West. The articles intention was to show two things ... opinions on what is considered bad driving and to make us realize that most likely we fall in someone's definition of bad driving.

Margaret Dykes Jan 19th 2007 4:57PM

# 5.....I'm a native of Miami. I'm ashamed to admit that after reading your post. What kind of person would put other drivers at risk of serious injury or death to have sex while driving a car? I can only surmise that you are very young and immature or you have no concern for the safety of others. Does the term "Get a room" mean anything to you? And who are these "ladies" who would have sex with someone with as little gray matter as you seem to have? The police in Miami are pretty much on the ball (no pun intended) and they'll catch you sooner or later.

Margaret Dykes Jan 19th 2007 4:55PM

In the U.S. I'd have to say the worst drivers appear to be from Ohio. I don't know why--I have nothing against people from that state. I travel a lot and have noticed that people from Ohio seem to be oblivious to other drivers--it's like they own the road. Sorry if I offended any of you--but's it's my observation.

Joanne Jan 19th 2007 11:47PM

Ooooh, I have to agree with Rome. They will actually put together REALLY long strings of insults during their road rage. They have no qualms making a right hand turn from the left hand lane, and vice versa. And they love to park on the sidewalks and embankments. Quite scary - good thing my bus driver while I was there was Italian, and I was able to have my eyes closed.

LeNa Jan 19th 2007 3:12PM

Las Vegas,Nevada Has the Worst Drivers!!!!

Terry McCollum Jan 19th 2007 5:02PM

Apparently you guys have yet to drive in Jamaica. Narrow roads filled with semi's, goats, cattle, people, cars(some running, some burnt up and some stalled)couple all that with right hand drive and it makes life very interesting while I jog through the streets of Montego Bay.

Jen Jan 19th 2007 3:17PM

for Mario from Miami... I live in West Virginia, a northern state with plenty of country roads. I must say it's actually more difficult (sex while driving), twists and turns, sometimes no pavement at all and so narrow that if you go off to the side a little you might die from falling off a cliff. Road head is much better, and besides there are plenty of places to pull off and have it on the car!