Evasive/Defensive Driving

[wolfy1988]

Hi Guys,

We are currently living in Kuwait and have received potentially dangerous road rage on a few occasions.

The driving standards here are terrible, Kuwait has the highest amount of car crashes as well as the highest amount of related deaths. From my experience a majority of the dangerous driving is done by drivers of large, heavy 4x4's such as; Landcruisers, Silverados and Patrols etc

My wife and I travel together 99% of the time but 2 months ago whilst I was out of the country on business, she was followed home, not in a typical way such as following from a distance, but instead the man circled here car as she was driving, attempted to push her from the lane and repeatedly slammed on his brakes in front of her, he gave up following before she got close to home. My advice to her if this was to happen agian was, do NOT stop. DO not drive home, drive to busy well lit area (petrol Station forecourt, police station, etc) and stand on the horn with doors locked and if the situation were to escalate so much that her life should be in danger, use the vehicle as her weapon.

Yesterday, whilst driving at the posted speed limit past a speed camera (80kph) a Infiniti QX 70 piloted by a well dressed arab lady quickly appeared at the back bumper (3-4ft) and proceeded to flash, beep and gesticulate her anger that we were now holding her up. My wife pulled in as soon as we had passed the slower traffic but gave her the finger (I know, I know. First time she has done it and last) Said Infiniti driver took huge offense to this and proceeded to try and cause an accident by braking sharply and swerving in lane, fortunately she did it with not much effect BUT if that lady was more determined, she could have.

The typical driving style here is extremely aggressive and very offensive, cars are used as weapons.

I have a dash cam in the front, I will get one for the back also. We had a discussion last night and agreed that we should simply get out of the way and keep out heads down. We have ICE numbers in phone to call as well as saved locations to navigate to should we run into trouble.

We are kind of alone from a law enforcement stand point should it escalate again, Locals will be favoured over us. I am painting a bad picture but I am realistic.

What day to day driving habits should we practice? Any other advice welcome

When my wife was followed she was driving a Red 5.7 Dodge Charger, now we are driving a Black Nissan Xterra 4.0 (pictured below)

Edited by wolfy1988 on Saturday 30th May 07:35

[wolfy1988]

davepoth said:

Get a driver?

We don't want a driver, we like driving and we are terrible passengers.

A lot of people have drivers but its just not for us

[wolfy1988]

R_U_LOCAL said:

I've written a piece about dealing with other drivers' anger and aggression for the new book. It's written with the UK in mind and is meant for newly qualified drivers but I think a lot of it will be relevent to the situations you describe.

I'll dig it off the laptop a bit later today and post it on here.

Thanks Reg, I look forward to reading it.

[wolfy1988]

R_U_LOCAL said:

Lots of helpful stuff

Thanks Reg, you give some good advice. Thanks for taking the time to share that!

[wolfy1988]

Gary C said:

Do you think you might be having trouble because your obviously European ?

wonder if heavily tinting the widows would help (as long as you can see out ok)

Also, if you respond with the finger, they cant see you !

I think the fact we are European does have some negative impact for sure, although certainly not as much as other nationalities here.

I think your suggestion of window tinting is a great idea however, I have heard that the local police views are not that of the government and can be much stricter and harsher, I have heard of instances where cars were impounded! But I will look into it

[wolfy1988]

Swanny87 said:

Wow.

Is "use the car as a weapon" advice you were given or just something you have adopted? Either way I don't blame you!

Are there any expat/foreign national security firms you could get in contact with? Maybe they can provide some training...

'use your car as a weapon' is my advice to my OH if things get out of hand, it comes from advice that she was given from her grand mother when she had passed her test, she said ' A car is likely to be the most powerful weapon you will ever own, be careful' Im not sure she meant it in this context but great piece of wisdom non the less!

I would actually love to do some training, good call. I shall investigate that further!

[wolfy1988]

V8forweekends said:

Having visited Kuwait (but mercifully having been driven everywhere by others) I sympathise - however from everything I saw there, one thing is very clear - as you say, as a non-local, you are considered pretty low.

It's a shock coming from a society where (officially at least) racism isn't promoted, to one where it's expected, but one of many problems with being an expat (and one reason I could never do it) is that you have to adapt to cultures you find troubling.

One of the guys I was working with was an Indian - he (trying to do the right thing) went to take his driving test. The examiner began (and ended) the test by asking if he was Indian. When he said yes, the guy told him there was no way he'd be getting a licence.

If I had to live there, I guess I'd wind my neck in as far as possible. If some berk is inches off my bumper, the sooner I can let 'em past (without issuing any finger based rebukes) the better.

I have no personal idea, but maybe the finger is more serious there than here (although I take it pretty ill when I'm on the receiving end).

I agree with all of the above, re the licence, now you have to prove that you earn more that 1600 per month, have at least a bachelors degree and are in one of the exempt professions before you qualify for a licence, otherwise you will need all of the above AND wait 2 years.