While those aformentioned cities have their own nighmares, the experiences are quantifiable once you learn the unwritten rules. As an example: in Atlanta once your light turns green you must wait a couple seconds for the last cars to zoom the intersection. This is based on the principle that if you have seen the light green then you may go through regardless of the color when you are in the intersection. In Houston, on the 16 lane highway, if there is a gap in traffic you will switch lanes to close it while your counterpart 2 lanes over is making his move on the same spot. Blinkers are optional.
The key rule in the Dominican Republic is that there are no rules. One example: On a two lane road (no shoulders) our jitney was passing a slow moving truck. While we were passing the truck an SUV was passing us. It was a clinched derriere moment!
Motorcycles have even more latitude. When crossing the street at a stoplight the cars will stop; however, not the motorcycles. The scooters spew forth from around and between the stopped cars so that the only safe place, once you leave the curb, is directly in front of a car grill. This safety is illusionary because when the light changes the car is going to leap into race track mode. You bob and weave toward the opposite side of the street feeling the adrenal high of cheating death, then the letdown of was the street crossing worth it?
I estimate 25% of the population owns a motorcycle and is actively engaged in providing transportation to the other 75%. It is not unusual to see 3 people on one and I have seen several with 4 aboard. De Anne took one into town on our first day, but I have put my foot down on that. None of these motorcycles are over 150 cc and under 20 years old. I am permitted to forbid her to do dangerous things, but only about once a year.
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