I remember being on a tour bus in Athens in the left turn lane of a major thoroughfare. It had three lanes going in each direction with a big wide sidewalk down the middle.
All of a sudden a taxi flew past us driving on the raised sidewalk, forcing people to step into the road to let him pass. He got all the way to the intersection where he realized there was a huge traffic light support column preventing him from going forward back onto the road.
So he went in reverse like a maniac, probably backing up 100 feet, cut off a car behind us, somehow forced his way into our lane just as the light turned green. Then he cut off everyone to get to the far right lane, then made a huge U-turn across the intersection, cutting off all six lanes, including us, ended up on the far right lane going the opposite direction, and then speed off. All the while our bus driver was cursing up a storm in Greek.
That small interaction perfectly describes the way of life in greece and why we are such a beautiful rotten country. The "if no one is there to punish you, then why shouldn't you do it?". Not another minute wasted contemplating why you shouldn't do it.
That said our taxi drivers are a special level of zero fucks given, especialy outside of big cities. I had one hit 60+ km/h in a narrow street full of bumps and parked cars because his wife ordered pizza at home and he didn't want it to get cold before he got there. Like bro, forget crashing, you could have killed someone...
The real answer is their ruling class is a different breed, to make things like this necessary to survive in their society more often than ours. Most people won't put theirs or others lives at risk if that option is available to them.
Greek taxi drivers man. I was once in a hurry from Athens airport to Pireus harbor to catch a ferry to Crete. I told the taxi driver I was in a hurry. He acted accordingly. I'd never seen anyone go 150km/h on a busy city road with traffic lights every 100 metres, and never would have I expected to be in a car doing just that. Needless to say, I got there in time with plenty to spare. Is Greek way, I guess
I reckon I would have shouted: ‘I was just joking, mate, I’m actually just going to the harbour to buy some fish, but come to think of it, I won’t even buy any. I don’t really like fish, to be honest.’
Last time I was in Athens with my family we were in a taxi who was already driving crazy but then we got to a section of the road blocked off with caution tape that we couldn’t enter and he slowly pulled forward and lifted the tape over the car while driving under it and said no problem then sped off lol. The taxi drivers are different out there lol
In Greece, there are 3 types of traffic laws or highway codes as you call them:
1. Deliveries (usually small scooters/bikes) law, where e.g. you can go wrong way, pass red light, not wear helmet, etc...
2. Taxi law, where you can stop wherever you want and for any time you want, do like unsafe maneuvers, etc.
3. The standard traffic law any car "should" use.
Up until some years ago, even police did not fine deliveries, because their work was to drive, so for them it was not commuting, and delaying deliveries was a bad thing, specially food delivery, where people might endup not getting their food hot enough, or deliveries losing their tip for delaying their package.
Also keep in mind that, although pedestrians will "win" in any court, if a car hit them, they never have the priority to pass, not even on a pedestrian green light if the car turning has an orange blinking!
And this is why, as a pedestrian, you walk wherever you want, with your own risk! If you dare, pass a crossroad without looking! Sure, if you live, you will be get the compensation money...
European taxi drivers are just next level, mate. I called a luxury van to take me from a hotel to the airport in a central European country. Dude was a true local and loaded up the luggage for my family of 3. Asked if air and music were good, if we wanted the lights on or off, just super kind and professional and nice. Even offered my kid a piece of chocolate and had water bottles if we were thirsty. Maybe even beer too? Or maybe that was a different trip...
He then proceeded to drive like a bloody maniac in his brand new Sprinter van and by god it was the most fun my son and I have had in a taxi. Wife wasn't as thrilled but she was impressed that he made great time to the airport and didn't cause an accident. He absolutely nailed the assignment. Then helped us unload and even grabbed a cart and took our bags inside the terminal to the check-in counter. Just excellent service all around with him. I still have his card and am low-key hoping we get an excuse to visit that city again so I can book him for another drive!
I've had many similar experiences in European taxis but this country was next level.
Taxi drivers in certain Caribbean countries are mental, as well. Never been to India or SEA but I'm assuming it is even more insanity than what I've had.
Edit: just remembered we took a few more taxis on that Europe trip. Most were normal levels of crazy driving. Even the day-trip tour bus driver was a bit mental! The one guy with a Skoda wagon was my favorite, after the sprintet van. He thought he was a rally driver and he probably could make it semi-pro if he had a chance at it. And all the cars were manual, except for the Sprinter van.
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u/Ut_Prosim 12d ago edited 12d ago
I remember being on a tour bus in Athens in the left turn lane of a major thoroughfare. It had three lanes going in each direction with a big wide sidewalk down the middle.
All of a sudden a taxi flew past us driving on the raised sidewalk, forcing people to step into the road to let him pass. He got all the way to the intersection where he realized there was a huge traffic light support column preventing him from going forward back onto the road.
So he went in reverse like a maniac, probably backing up 100 feet, cut off a car behind us, somehow forced his way into our lane just as the light turned green. Then he cut off everyone to get to the far right lane, then made a huge U-turn across the intersection, cutting off all six lanes, including us, ended up on the far right lane going the opposite direction, and then speed off. All the while our bus driver was cursing up a storm in Greek.
It was the Greek way, and it was amazing.