Central American Motorcyclist's Handbook

Central American Motorcyclist's Handbook
1. Turn signals will give away your next move. A confident motorcyclist avoids using them.
2. Under no circumstance should you maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, because the space will be filled in by somebody else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation.
3. The faster you drive through a red light, the less of a chance you have of getting hit.
4. Warning! Never come to a complete stop at a stop sign. No one expects it and it will result in you being rear-ended.
5. Never get in the way of an older car that needs extensive bodywork, which is just about every car in Central America. With no insurance, the other operator has nothing to lose.
6. Braking is to be done as hard and late as possible to ensure that you strengthen your leg muscles after a long day of driving.
7. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It's a good way to prepare other drivers entering the highway.
8. Speed limits are arbitrary figures; given only as a suggestion and are not enforceable in Central American rush hour, especially in Mexico City.
9. Just because you're in the left lane and have no room to speed up or move over doesn't mean that an Central American driver flashing his high beams behind you doesn't think he can go faster in your spot.
10. Always brake and rubberneck when you see an accident or even someone changing a tire. This is seen as a sign of respect for the victim.
11. Learn to swerve abruptly without signalling. Central America is home to high-speed slalom-driving; thanks to the Department of Public Works, which puts pot-holes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them alert.
12. It is tradition in Central America to honk your horn at cars in front of you that do not move three milliseconds after the light turns green.
13. Remember that the goal of every Central American driver is to get ahead of the pack by whatever means necessary.
15. 'Flipping the bird' is considered a polite salute. This gesture should always be returned.

Credit and thanks goes out to Marnie for this list!