One day, hopefully, you're going to have the chance to visit a foreign land. If you're lucky, this foreign land will have automobiles. If you're really lucky, you'll get the experience of driving on the wrong side of the road. You're probably saying "don't you mean left, Caleb? 'Wrong' seems very Western Elitist." No. It's the wrong side of the road. Henry Ford revolutionized the way cars were produced and made available to the masses. You know where he put the steering wheel? On the left. So if Henry Ford expected cars to be on the right side of the road, then who are we to say differently? I digress.
I heard once that one of the leading causes of tourist deaths in Namibia is traffic accidents, particularly on that first day when you arrive and are leaving the airport. Whether its true or not, I don't know. It fits the topic so I'm running with it. In order to prevent you from being one of those tourists, allow me to enlighten you.
The Best Offense is a Good Defense:
It's important to note that nobody here actually knows how to drive. They know how to get it, turn the key, and accelerate, but beyond that driving isn't an art form as much as it is a chore. Ever see an 18-wheeler make a U-turn on a major thoroughfare? I did. Last night. Suddenly. While I was driving 60 mph. He started all the way in the left lane, didn't signal or anything and just whipped his rig right across all lanes of traffic in the middle of an intersection. My tires made a lot of noise. So, my approach now is that every time I step into a vehicle I expect to be killed. If I make it to my destination unscathed, then its cause for celebration.
Racism is Worse Behind the Wheel:
Most of us are very aware of Nelson Mandela, or at the very least Morgan Freeman. Mandela's story of liberation and rise to power is extraordinary. His approach to healing and forgiveness as a means to repair South Africa is even more extraordinary. Namibia being a former territory of South Africa also received great benefit from Mandela's path to power. However, what isn't communicated is the state of the Afrikaaner. Afrikaaners are a robust, proud, brash, and aggressive people. That's the stereotype anyway. Many have let bygones be bygones, but many haven't been able to let of the past. They remember the good ol' days when they dominated the region and ruled with unmatched power. Considering that was only two decades a ago, its still fresh on a lot of people's minds as it has changed the way of life for many. As a result, they fight the power in more subtle ways. For example, they are tired of being told what to do. They've lost their clout with people, but there is no way that a sign is going to make them stop. No, they're going to fight the man. You're going to tell them they can only drive 80 kph? I don't think so. Right now at this very moment there is an Afrikaaner trying to break the land speed record on Robert Mugabe highway. You probably want to avoid cutting them off so its best to never change lanes.
You Can't Stop Expansion
The people won't be silenced. Every morning, I take the bypass out to Katutura. This is about a 15 mile stretch of road where I get to shift into 5th gear and drive in a straight line without the annoyance of traffic lights or stop signs. The speed limit is 120 kph, but inevitably there are a handful of drivers that refuse to go over 80kph. A large stretch of this road is two lane with a wide shoulder. But, these 80kph drivers refuse to be bound by the constraint of two lanes. Instead, they convert the should and about 2 feet of the lane into their own private slow lane. I haven't decided if this is highly courteous or highly annoying. I don't understand why they can't just go 120kph and be done with it.
A few other pointers include, always look right first because that's where the traffic is coming from. They don't allow left turns on red lights. Honking isn't a sign of aggression, its more of an announcement that you're here. And finally, you're best bet is to get to your destination and just stay there.
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