If you've ever wondered how or why Chinese drivers have achieved such a bad reputation that people want to issue DWC tickets, the "Wheels of Fortune" article by Peter Hessler in the November 26, 2007 issue explains a lot. You're not sure whether to laugh or cry. The abstract on the New Yorker website does not do the article justice: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/11/26/071126fa_fact_hessler
It doesn't even mention the reflexive honking with ten distinct meanings, including hooooooooonnnnk for attention; hoooonnnnnk, hooonnnnnk for irritation; and honk, hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk hnk for pure panic. There are even items on the drivers' exam regarding honking. Question: When driving through a residential area, you should a) honk like normal. b) honk more than normal, in order to alert residents. c) avoid honking, in order to avoid disturbing residents.
That was the laughing. The crying part is the statement that a 2004 World Health Organization report that China, with 3% of the world's vehicles, accounted for 21% of its traffic fatalities. Overall, however, the tears from reading the article were of laughter. One critical point: the study guide for the exam describes how people drive, not how to drive. Basically, there appear to be no actual road rules. A case of too many cars too quickly and, unfortunately, figuring out how to drive came later.
The Contributor section of the issue notes that Mr. Hessler is working on "Country Driving", a book about driving in China. I can't wait.
