h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I believe that they drive on the right,but I could be wrong..most of the time it is in the middle!The most essential componant of the egyptian drivers' car isn't anything so mundane as four tyres,an engine or a steering wheel...it is the HORN!!There should be a whole chapter in h2g2 to explain the correct usage of this implement.It is sounded to warn of approach(always)greet friends(always)move offending camels/donkeys/street vendors/pedestrians/children and other road users( when they feel like it)allow another road user onto the road(very occasionally)and just because they feel like it(nearly always..especially if they are late for prayers)They also use it to warn the poor unfortunate traffic policeman(strategically positioned at EVERY junction because the egyptian driver is either colour-blind..or just doesn't understand what the significance of a traffic light is)that he has absolutely no intention of slowing down/stoppong because he couldn't if he wanted to! They tend to look after the welfare of the horn above all else,including the inclusion of water in the radiator...an experience not to be missed is breaking down on the 4 hour journey from Luxor to the Red Sea on a blisteringly hot day because...there is no water in the radiator!!Luckily the horn still worked fine ,however..so I guess that honking for assistance should also be included in the extensive list.
Go to Egypt and experience it for yourself.Be sure to find an *English-speaking* driver though and don't forget to take a supply of toilet paper wherever you go..it may just come in handy.

Toiletpaper???? You have your towel, don't you?

LOL!! But that can get a bit grubby when they keep turning off the water

You could actually hire a car and drive yourself :-

A while ago I had the pleasure of visiting Cairo in Egypt. Its an exciting place to go. Our group was there on business.

While there, we had to get too and from work and of course on the days off, to other places such as the Pyramids.

While there, my friends and myself had some interesting driving/passenger experiences, which makes me think of the following examples.

Parking :-

Anywhere will do. There is this flyover near the airport and Heliopolis city. We had to use it every day, and on occasion you'd find people parked on or arround it causing traffic chaos. The same applies to all roads.

While parking your car in touristy areas, you are likely tobe mobbed be people willing to park your car for you, watch it for you and even clean it for you while you are about your business. This is just soething you'll have to get used to.

Speed limits :-

Due to the sheer weight of traffic and occasional pot hole, it is rare you'll get a chance to speed. I suppose there are some limits, I can not remember what they are. Outside of Cairo, the major roads are toll roads, and I believe these do have upper limits.

Crossing the road :-

It may actually be quicker to flag a taxi and get them to take you accross than risk some major roads outside the city centre.

If you look foreign, chances a taxi will slow down to try to pick you up, thus removing the gap (behind the taxi) you were about to use to cross the road.

Chances are, that in the centre you'll find a pedestrian route if you look for it.

Lanes :-

If you feel like it, you may stick to lanes. However, at least some of the drivers out there will weave in and out and when you get to a junction, expect the cars on the right to turn left and the cars on the left to turn right and the cars in the middle to go in any direction they please. Not forgetting the cars comming in the opposite direction on your side of the road. At night this is especially interesting because some of these drivers will not have their lights on. Trying to spot an unlit car comming at you on your side of the road is quite 'exciting'.

Lane discipline, or lack thereof, is most likely the hardest thing a Brit will have to come to terms with when driving there. People from most other nations will feel right at home

Junctions :-

The heaviest vehicle at the junction has the right of way is the general rule. If you have a hire car, get a big one or a lorry or a bus. Tanks and other military vehicles would be better, but we couldn't find any for hire, some sort of legal technicality.

If you use a taxi, get the biggest you can hire. 9 seater Peugot taxis are very common.

I remember once watching a car screech to a halt barely 2 ft from me as I was looking out the passenger window while we were doing 30mph accross a junction. The junction had no lights or markings, I do not know who had right of way, all drivers were just 'going for it'.

Horns :-

Use frequently and with gusto. As pointed out elsewhere.

Car safety :-

The petrol tank is at the rear on most cars, light up a cigarett at your own risk if you smoke.

Police etiquette :-

We were once in a taxi, and got to a policeman controlled junction. The driver and policeman (armed, I think they all are) got talking, so the lanes in our direction stopped progressing for the duration of a cigarette. Well, that was the theory. By the time the cigarette was nearly finished, most of the motorcyclists had already shot accross, all the other lanes had edged forward to nearly block the lanes going accross our path and the car in the lane to our left had got so fed up he was nudging the policeman in the back of his knees with his car bumper. The bedlam from car horns was also quite loud at this point.

There will be some areas with gun toting military people about, especially near the Suez canal and out in the deserts. Do not be at all supprised to be turned back by such people. It is unlikely that you'll know enough Arabic to read the road signs, and the soldiers are probably used to foreign tourists getting lost and turning up in the most unusual places looking for their hotel. Indeed, they seem to be quite friendly about it when we got turned back from a place we shouldn't have been driving too.

The seat of power :-

Being the capital of Egypt, visiting dignitaries do make the occasional visit. While we were there, an important Arab leader visited, and the resulting traffic chaos between the airport and the Presidents residence was unbelievable. Of course, this is most likely the same in all nations, but its amazing what two people can do to the millions of other road users trying to get about their business on a working day when they decide to drop in for a friendly chat with their neighbour!

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I hope this is of help to anyone who is thinking of driving in Cairo.

You'll love it!