I know I have posted more than once about transportation
here in Uganda, but it still baffles me. Today I have a slightly different view
on it.
Different cultures use things like hand gestures different
ways. For example, in the way we wave to small children in the US is very, very
similar to the way Ugandans tell their small children (and big children...) to
come here. The full version of this gesture involves taking your hand from an
open palm, facing the recipient of the gesture, closing your four fingers down
so that your hand is essentially folded in half, and repeating this several
times. See the resemblance?
Well driving “gestures” are used differently here in Uganda
as well. I am still trying to figure out if my observations are correct, so
this post may end up edited in the future, but here’s what I have as of now.
Horns: Around the world, horns are commonly used as a way to
send messages to other drivers, typically “Get out of the way!” In most of rural
America, horns are used sparingly. In more densely populated areas, horns are
used more often, though when in a traffic jam, they are mostly a sign of
frustration. For me, I tend only to use my horn when either someone is not
paying attention at a stoplight that has turned green or when someone has
endangered my life, and I need to tell them I didn’t appreciate it. In most of
the US, a driver who uses their horn is rude. In Uganda, though, a driver who
uses their horn is a responsible, courteous one. Blaring your horn is
incredibly common, and it means a few things. If you are in the way of the
driver, it means “Get out of the way!” If you are not, it means “I see you;
stay there.” I got very used to having horns honked at me walking back from
language training each day. I had to walk a good kilometer along the main road
between Kyenjojo and Fort Portal. Once you got out of town, drivers really
started to speed up, and their horn usage increased as well. I always made sure
to walk as far away from the road as possible, but they would still honk at me
just to let me know they are coming. (Now, what this system does for Deaf
individuals, I don’t know….)
Blinkers: Drivers in the US, Missouri especially, seem
confused as to what “turn signal lights” are. I, however, had a father who
would not let me get my license without knowing how to properly use them, and
thus I use them anally, even though he doesn’t even always use them properly.
In Uganda, though, blinkers are…different. I am still fairly confused on this
one, but I’m going to state my current theory. First of all, Ugandans tend to
be very good at using their signal lights. They flip them on far too early for
my taste, but the other drivers seem to know perfectly when they are going to
turn. There is another use for blinkers, though, of which I am still fairly
perplexed. Keep in mind that Ugandans drive on the left side of the road. While
driving, occasionally drivers will flip their right turn signals on when
approaching a vehicle in the other lane. This seems to occur more when it is
getting dark, is dark, or is raining. It almost always happens when someone is
over the middle line, then accompanied by a honk. I believe this is a way of
saying either “Get over; you’re too close to me,” or “The edge of my vehicle is
here, so don’t hit me.” This is the only sense I can make of it, since very few
roads outside of towns have street lights.
Headlights: In the US, flashing your headlights at someone
means one of three things: there is something to be aware of up ahead, “Turn
your headlights on,” or “Turn off your brights!!” In Uganda, though, headlights
are a form of greeting other vehicles. It still makes me wonder what is ahead
to be warry of when I am in a taxi (in full daylight), and we meet a car which
flashes their headlights. This is usually accompanied by a huge wave, and
sometimes it is even followed by greetings being yelled out the window.
Windshield wipers: Well, these are pretty much the same. The
only thing to note here is that it’s one of the few things that drivers will
keep in fairly good condition, considering the rain and the dust.
So there you have it! The “gestures” of driving in Uganda.
Soon you’ll be able to get your license and drive me all around the country! :D
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