On the far side of the sea: Conakry traffic laws according to Michelle

Immediately upon our arrival in Guinea, I quickly realized that there aren't exactly a clear set of traffic rules in Conakry. And by that I mean there seem to be none whatsoever. Now, eight months of driving a Land Rover around this crazy city later, I have decided to write my own, based on what I have seen.

Disclaimer: I am fully aware that these are not the actual, legal traffic laws.

The biggest car always has the right of way. Stubbornness can overcome some amount of size difference. Constant horn honking combined with stubbornness can overcome even more size difference.

Turn signals typically (not always) indicate that a car is turning. However, an important distinction is that a right turn signal might very well indicate that a person is turning left. They may just have a broken left turn signal.

One-ways are not well-marked so usually their direction is determined by which direction more people want to go at any given time. Even when it is obvious which way traffic is flowing, if that is not conducive to the direction you want to go, you can go the other way. In that case, the right of way rules come into effect. The bigger you are and the more you honk your horn, the faster you can drive down a one-way in the wrong direction.

The number of people who can fit in a taxi is always one more. The same goes for what can go on top- always a little bit more.

When stuck in a traffic jam (aka anytime driving on a weekday), always move as far in the direction you are trying to go as possible. Even if this will ultimately slow you down because the entire traffic jam is caused by someone trying to turn around and they need some minimal amount of space to do so, keep inching forward no matter what.

If you allow more than a couple of car lengths between you and the car in front of you on the highway, you must prepare yourself and your brakes for dozens of people to make a break for it crossing the street.

I still have not quite figured out the hand signal system used by guards at gates and roadblocks. Usually I have found that a functional way to determine what they mean is slowly keep doing what you planned on doing anyway and watch their reaction. Smiling and a thumbs up helps.

It's not exactly a traffic law, but if you decide to buy anything being sold by people walking along the street (including, but not limited to: kleenex cases, bags of water, q-tips, popcorn, plungers, sheets, mini lawn chairs, frozen yogurt, cups of tea, bars of soap, phone cards, pieces of fresh coconut, and leopard print leggings) you need only to wave the salesman down and they will certainly find a way to catch up with you. Eye contact with one of these salesman indicates, "I have never wanted leopard print leggings more in my life so please don't let my words tell you otherwise."

Source: http://michelledeneen.blogspot.com/2013/04/conakry-traffic-laws-according-to.html

bobbi kristina brown new edition austerity rihanna and chris brown back together pebble beach cause of whitney houston death keanu reeves